Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
商量 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
商量shāngliangto consultHSK 4, n, rank #2827, Medium
商量shāngliangto talk overHSK 4, n, rank #2827, Medium
商量shāngliangto discussHSK 4, n, rank #2827, Medium
shāngliang(shang1liang5) T1
  1. 1to consult
  2. 2to talk over
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
商量shāngliang(shang1liang5)

商量 (shang1 liang5) means to consult or discuss something collaboratively. It is often used in contexts where two or more people are deliberating over a decision or idea, emphasizing the act of coming to a mutual understanding or agreement.

Frequency#2827DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, collective decision-making is often preferred, making 商量 an essential part of social and business interactions. The concept highlights the value placed on harmony and consensus.

Memory Tip

Imagine two merchants (商) sitting at a table, weighing their options (量). They discuss their strategies, showcasing the need to consult each other before making decisions. The word 商量 can be remembered as a 'merchant's deliberation'.

Meanings of 商量

shāngliang(shang1liang5)
1to consult
2to talk over
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 商量

商量Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2827Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 商量

JasonAmy

Podcast: 商量

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 商量

Quick Contrast

讨论 (tǎolùn) vs 商量 (shāngliang): 讨论 emphasizes a more formal or structured discussion, while 商量 implies a collaborative and mutual decision-making process.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine two merchants (商) sitting at a table, weighing their options (量). They discuss their strategies, showcasing the need to consult each other before making decisions. The word 商量 can be remembered as a 'merchant's deliberation'.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 商量; the first character is pronounced with a high first tone, while the second character uses a falling tone. Common collocations include '商量问题' (discuss problems) and '商量意见' (consult opinions). Avoid using it in overly formal contexts, where alternatives like '讨论' (tǎo lùn) might be more appropriate.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 4 word, 商量 connects with other communication-related terms like 讨论 (tǎo lùn, discuss) and 意见 (yì jiàn, opinion). Focus on using it in conversation to practice negotiation and collaborative discussion skills.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, collective decision-making is often preferred, making 商量 an essential part of social and business interactions. The concept highlights the value placed on harmony and consensus.

Common Mistakes

A common mistake is using 商量 in a one-sided context, such as saying '我商量了这个问题' (I discussed this issue) when it should involve others. The correct form would be '我们商量了这个问题' (We discussed this issue).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 商量

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 商量 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

商Shāngthe Shang dynasty, 16th to 11th century BC
HSK 711 strokes口
View full entry
量liángto measure
HSK 412 strokes里
View full entry

Write 商量

商
量

Practice writing 商量 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 商量

商量 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

____来商量去，我们决定还是坐火车去。

After deliberating back and forth, we decided to take the train after all.

Example Sentences for 商量 (8)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我已经跟同学们商量好去海滩远足的事.

wǒ yǐ jīng gēn tóng xué mén shāng liáng hǎo qù hǎi tān yuǎn zú de shì.

I have arranged with my classmates for an excursion to the beach.
2
她确实喜欢商量什么事都最终自己说了算。

tā què shí xǐ huān shāng liáng shí mó shì dū zuì zhōng zì jǐ shuō le suàn。

She does like to have the last word in any discussion.
3
你与谁商量过这个问题吗？

nǐ yǔ shuí shāng liáng guò zhè gè wèn tí ma？

Have you discussed the problem with anyone?
4
王先生道: “ 你去跟你老丈商量一下,好 不好 ? ”

wáng xiān shēng dào:“ : “ nǐ qù gēn nǐ lǎo zhàng shāng liáng yī, xià , hǎo?”

" Why don't you talk it over with your father - in - law ?'suggested Wang.
5
我已和邻居商量妥喂猫的事.

wǒ yǐ hé lín jū shāng liáng tuǒ wèi māo de shì.

I've arranged with the neighbours about feeding the cats.
6
我准备就票的问题与他商量.

wǒ zhǔn bèi jiù piào de wèn tí yǔ tā shāng liáng.

I'm going to arrange with him about the tickets.
7
等我知道得再多一点儿, 我就得马上跟阿耳巴刻斯商量对策.

děng wǒ zhī dào dé zài duō yī diǎn ér, , wǒ jiù dé mǎ shàng gēn ā ěr bā kè sī shāng liáng duì.

When I have learned more, I must confer at once with Arbaces.
8
船长 、 乡绅和我在房舱里商量对策.

chuán cháng、 、 xiāng shēn hé wǒ zài fáng cāng lǐ shāng liáng duì.

The captain, the squire, and I were talking matters over in the cabin.

Cultural Notes for 商量

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, collective decision-making is often preferred, making 商量 an essential part of social and business interactions. The concept highlights the value placed on harmony and consensus.

Frequently Asked Questions about 商量

Typically, 商量 is more common in spoken language and informal writing. For formal contexts, consider using 讨论 or 协商.