相談 vs 協議
Japanese word comparison
Listen to 相談
Listen to 協議
| 相談 | 協議 |
|---|---|
SOU-dan noun / verb (する) | きょうぎ noun / verb (する) |
| to consult; to talk something over and seek advice | consultation; discussion aimed at reaching a decision |
How they differ
協議 is more formal and usually implies a structured discussion among people on equal footing, often to decide policy, rules, or a course of action. 相談 is broader and more personal; it can be a simple request for advice, not necessarily a joint decision-making process.
When to use each
When to use 相談: Use 相談 when you want advice, help, or input from someone without implying an official or formal meeting.
When to use 協議: Use 協議 when two or more parties are formally discussing and trying to reach an agreement or decision.
Side-by-side examples
- 進路について先生に相談しました。
(I consulted my teacher about my future path.) - 労働条件について会社側と協議しました。
(We held discussions with the company about working conditions.)
Register & nuance: 協議 is more formal and institutional than 相談, which is common in everyday conversation.