Meaning
to compromise; to make concessions; to give in; to settle for less
Nuance & Usage
妥協する means to give up some of what you want in order to reach an agreement or avoid conflict. 妥協点を見つける (to find a compromise), 妥協なき姿勢 (an uncompromising stance), 妥協の産物 (the product of compromise) are typical uses. In negotiations, 妥協 is necessary and neutral; in craftsmanship or ideals, 妥協しない (to refuse to compromise) is a mark of integrity. The nuance of whether 妥協 is positive (pragmatic) or negative (giving up too easily) depends entirely on context.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 妥協する with 譲歩する (jouho suru — to make concessions, often one-sided in negotiations) and 諦める (akirameru — to give up entirely). 妥協する implies a mutual adjustment between parties; 譲歩する is more one-directional; 諦める is complete abandonment. 安易な妥協 (easy/lazy compromise) is negative; 現実的な妥協 (realistic compromise) is positive. 妥協案 (dakyou-an — compromise proposal) is a useful business term.
Example Sentences
どちらも譲らず、最終的に双方が妥協した。
どちらもゆずらず、さいしゅうてきにそうほうがだきょうした。
Neither side yielded, but ultimately both parties compromised.
品質については妥協せず、最良のものを提供し続けた。
ひんしつについてはだきょうせず、さいりょうのものをていきょうしつづけた。
Without compromising on quality, they continued to provide the best.
交渉の場では、どこまで妥協できるかを事前に想定しておくことが重要だ。
こうしょうのばでは、どこまでだきょうできるかをじぜんにそうていしておくことがじゅうようだ。
In negotiations, it's important to anticipate in advance how far you can compromise.
Quick Quiz
N14 questionsTest your knowledge of 妥協する with 4 different question types.
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