negotiate
/nɪˈɡəʊʃieɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /nɪˈɡəʊʃieɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌāt nonstandard -sē-/ (ame, mw)
negotiate — verb
- negotiatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- negotiateshe / she / it
- negotiatedpast simple
- negotiating-ing form
1. to talk with other people or groups in a formal setting, trying to settle on con
to talk with other people or groups in a formal setting, trying to settle on conditions that everyone involved can accept.
The union leaders negotiated a new contract with the factory owners after weeks of talks.
negotiate + noun phrase (a contract / a deal / terms)
Ishaan and his partner negotiated for months before agreeing on a fair price.
Rather than fighting, the two countries agreed to negotiate.
The workers' committee is negotiating with management over better safety equipment.
A good lawyer knows how to negotiate terms that benefit both sides.
- bargain
more informal and focused on price; often used in markets or small-scale deals
- haggle
implies persistent back-and-forth arguing over price, sometimes with a negative tone
- mediate
involves a neutral third party helping two sides reach an agreement, rather than being one of the parties
- confer
more formal and general; means to discuss or consult without necessarily aiming to settle terms
- dictate
to impose terms without discussion or compromise
文法句型
negotiate + noun phrase (a contract / a deal / terms)
negotiate + with + someone + over / for + something
agree / refuse to negotiate
用法筆記
Frequently used in business, politics, and legal contexts. The object is normally the thing being settled — a contract, a deal, or terms. Can also be intransitive when the focus is on the discussion itself rather than the outcome.
常見錯誤
2. to move carefully and with skill through a difficult physical path or around an
to move carefully and with skill through a difficult physical path or around an obstacle, such as a narrow road, a sharp bend, or a rocky trail.
Rin carefully negotiated the narrow mountain path while carrying her hiking gear.
negotiate + a path / a route / a bend
The driver had to negotiate several sharp bends on the icy road.
After the storm, rescue teams negotiated the flooded streets to reach trapped families.
The old bicycle could barely negotiate the steep hill up to Quan's house.
文法句型
negotiate + a path / a route / a bend / an obstacle
用法筆記
The subject is typically a person or vehicle, and the object is always something physical: a road, slope, bend, or obstacle. More formal than everyday alternatives such as 'get around' or 'get past'.
常見錯誤
3. to handle a tricky situation or problem in a capable way, usually requiring skil
to handle a tricky situation or problem in a capable way, usually requiring skill, patience, or careful planning to get through it.
Walid had to negotiate several tricky questions during his job interview.
negotiate + a difficult situation / problem / question
The project manager negotiated a complex set of rules from different government offices.
New parents quickly learn to negotiate the challenges of very little sleep and endless decisions.
When the computer system failed, the team negotiated the crisis by using paper backups.
文法句型
negotiate + a problem / a challenge / a crisis / a set of rules
用法筆記
The object is always an abstract difficulty — a problem, challenge, crisis, or complex situation. Similar in meaning to 'handle' or 'deal with' but carries a tone of active effort and resourcefulness.
4. in banking and finance, to transfer a payment document such as a cheque to a ban
in banking and finance, to transfer a payment document such as a cheque to a bank in exchange for its cash value, or to pass it to another party as a form of payment.
Selim went to the bank to negotiate the cheque from his grandmother.
negotiate a cheque (convert to cash)
The company negotiated the payment order through its main bank in Taipei.
Before the trip, Nicholas asked the bank to negotiate the traveller's cheques.
The finance officer said they could not negotiate a cheque older than six months.
文法句型
negotiate + a cheque / a bill of exchange / a promissory note
be negotiated at + a bank
用法筆記
Almost always used in banking or financial contexts. The passive form is common: 'The cheque was negotiated at the bank.' Not used for everyday cash withdrawals from a personal account.