negotiating

/nəˈɡəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/ (bre, ipa) · [nɪɡˈoʃiˌetɪŋ] /nəˈɡoʊ.ʃi.eɪt/ (ame, ipa)

negotiating — verb

  • negotiatingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • negotiatings3rd person singular
  • negotiatinging-ing form
  • negotiatingedpast simple

1. to talk formally with another person or group, trying to settle on terms that bo

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to talk formally with another person or group, trying to settle on terms that both sides can accept

例句

Nia spent three hours negotiating the terms of her new contract.

negotiate + noun for terms or conditions

The Okonkwo family's bakery negotiated a deal with a nearby café to share delivery costs.

同義詞
  • bargain

    more informal, often specifically about price

  • confer

    more formal; exchanging views without necessarily reaching agreement

  • mediate

    involves a neutral third party helping two sides agree

文法句型

negotiate + with + person

negotiate + for + something

negotiate + noun

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'with' to name the other party, or 'for' to name what is being sought. Distinguish from sense 3: sense 1 involves two or more sides talking; sense 3 involves one party facing an obstacle alone.

常見錯誤

He negotiated the manager for a raise.
He negotiated with the manager for a raise.
💡'negotiate' needs 'with' before the person you are talking to.
They negotiated about the price during two hours.
They negotiated the price for two hours.
💡'negotiate' takes a direct object for what is being discussed; use 'for' for duration, not 'during'.

2. to succeed in moving through or around a path or obstacle that is hard to pass

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

to succeed in moving through or around a path or obstacle that is hard to pass

例句

Jin carefully negotiated the narrow mountain path on his bicycle.

negotiate + physical route or path

Mr. Demir negotiated the sharp bend just before the old stone bridge.

同義詞
  • navigate

    close synonym but less emphasis on difficulty

  • manoeuvre

    implies careful, skilful physical movement

文法句型

negotiate + noun (route or obstacle)

用法筆記

Object is always a physical obstacle or route: a bend, a path, rapids, stairs, a narrow passage. Never used with abstract objects.

常見錯誤

She negotiated the contract through a difficult path.
She negotiated the difficult path.
💡Sense 2 is about physical travel; do not mix it with sense 1 (reaching an agreement).

3. to deal successfully with a difficult problem, a complicated process, or a heavy

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deal successfully with a difficult problem, a complicated process, or a heavy workload

例句

Felix negotiated the mountain of paperwork in under two hours.

negotiate + abstract obstacle (paperwork)

Meera negotiated the complex visa process without hiring a lawyer.

同義詞
  • overcome

    focuses on defeating the obstacle rather than finding a way around it

  • surmount

    more formal; often used with 'difficulty' or 'obstacle'

  • tackle

    more active; emphasises taking on the challenge, not necessarily completing it

反義詞
  • succumb to

    to be defeated by the difficulty instead of overcoming it

文法句型

negotiate + noun (difficulty or problem)

用法筆記

Object is an abstract difficulty: paperwork, a process, a crisis, bureaucracy. The subject overcomes it alone rather than through discussion with another party. Distinguish from sense 1, which involves two or more sides talking.

常見錯誤

They negotiated the problem together in a meeting.
He negotiated the problem on his own.
💡Sense 3 typically describes one person or group overcoming a difficulty alone; if people are talking it over, use sense 1.

4. to exchange a cheque, money order, or similar financial document for cash at a b

4.動詞及物C1
釋義

to exchange a cheque, money order, or similar financial document for cash at a bank, or to transfer legal ownership of it to another person

例句

Sivan took the cheque to the bank and negotiated it at the counter.

negotiate + cheque at a bank

Heather negotiated the money order through her company's finance office.

同義詞
  • cash

    simpler, everyday word for converting a cheque to money

  • convert

    broader meaning; not specific to financial documents

文法句型

negotiate + noun (cheque, bill, or financial document)

用法筆記

Domain: finance and banking. Object is always a financial instrument (cheque, bill of exchange, promissory note, draft). This is a specialised sense rarely encountered outside financial contexts.

常見錯誤

I negotiated my salary cheque into cash.
I cashed my salary cheque.
💡In everyday English, use 'cash' for ordinary cheques; 'negotiate' in this sense is formal financial language.