In 15 Seconds
- Compromising to reach a mutual agreement.
- Common in business, politics, and serious personal debates.
- Focuses on maintaining harmony rather than winning.
Meaning
To give up a part of your demands or position in order to reach an agreement or maintain peace with someone else.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business negotiation
契約を成立させるために、多少の譲歩をする必要があります。
In order to close the deal, we need to make some concessions.
Deciding on dinner with a partner
今日は君の行きたいお店に譲歩するよ。
I'll give in and go to the restaurant you want today.
Texting a friend about meeting times
わかった、10分待つよ。これで譲歩したからね！
Fine, I'll wait 10 minutes. I've made a concession here!
Cultural Background
The phrase reflects the Japanese value of 'Kyōjō' (cooperation). In a society that prioritizes group harmony over individual victory, making concessions is viewed as a sophisticated social skill. It is often used in political discourse to describe diplomatic breakthroughs between nations.
The 'Halfway' Rule
If you want to sound more natural in casual settings, use `歩み寄る` (ayumiyoru). It literally means 'walking toward each other' and feels warmer than the technical `譲歩`.
Don't use it for seats!
If you are giving up your seat to an elderly person, don't say `譲歩`. Use `席を譲る` (seki o yuzuru). `譲歩` is for abstract things like opinions or rights.
In 15 Seconds
- Compromising to reach a mutual agreement.
- Common in business, politics, and serious personal debates.
- Focuses on maintaining harmony rather than winning.
What It Means
Think of it as the art of the 'middle ground.' You want pizza, they want sushi. You settle on a fusion place. That is 譲歩をする. It is about giving up a little bit of your ground. You do this to reach a bigger goal. It is not about losing an argument. It is about winning the relationship. You are basically saying, 'I will give a little if you give a little.' It is the oil that keeps the gears of society turning smoothly.
How To Use It
The phrase is a simple noun-verb combo. 譲歩 is the noun for 'concession.' You pair it with する to make it an action. You can also say 譲歩を求める if you want the other person to budge. If you are feeling generous, try 譲歩を示す to show you are willing to talk. It fits perfectly in sentences where a decision is stuck. You can use adverbs like 多少 (a little) or 大幅に (greatly) to describe the scale. It is a very flexible tool for your linguistic toolkit.
When To Use It
This is your go-to for any negotiation. Use it in a boardroom when discussing a contract. Use it at home when deciding who does the dishes. It is common in news reports about politics too. If there is a conflict and a solution is needed, this phrase is there. It sounds professional but works in serious personal talks. It shows you are being reasonable and mature. Imagine you are haggling at a market; this is the moment you meet the seller halfway.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small physical acts. If you give up your seat on a bus, use 譲る. 譲歩をする is for ideas, rights, or demands. It feels a bit too heavy for 'after you' at a door. Also, avoid it if you are totally giving up. That would be 降参する or just giving in completely. It implies a strategic choice, not a total defeat. Using it when you are forced to give in might sound a bit dramatic.
Cultural Background
In Japan, the concept of Wa or harmony is huge. Being stubborn is often seen as childish. Making a concession shows you are a 'big person.' It is a strategic move to keep the peace. Sometimes, both sides make small concessions just to save face. It is a dance of mutual respect. In Japanese business culture, the first person to offer a 譲歩 is often seen as the one who values the relationship more. It is a sign of trust.
Common Variations
You might hear 大幅な譲歩 which means a 'huge concession.' If someone won't budge, they are 譲歩しない. There is also 歩み寄る, which means 'stepping closer' to each other. This is a more poetic way to say you are both compromising. Another one is 折り合いをつける, which means finding a point where both sides can live with the result. Use these to sound more like a native speaker and add variety to your speech.
Usage Notes
The phrase is most common in professional or serious contexts. In very casual speech, people often prefer `折れる` (oreru - to break/give in) or `譲る` (yuzuru).
The 'Halfway' Rule
If you want to sound more natural in casual settings, use `歩み寄る` (ayumiyoru). It literally means 'walking toward each other' and feels warmer than the technical `譲歩`.
Don't use it for seats!
If you are giving up your seat to an elderly person, don't say `譲歩`. Use `席を譲る` (seki o yuzuru). `譲歩` is for abstract things like opinions or rights.
Saving Face
In Japan, making a concession is often a way to let the other person 'save face.' By giving in a little, you allow them to feel respected, which makes them more likely to help you later.
Examples
6契約を成立させるために、多少の譲歩をする必要があります。
In order to close the deal, we need to make some concessions.
A standard professional way to suggest compromise.
今日は君の行きたいお店に譲歩するよ。
I'll give in and go to the restaurant you want today.
Shows a bit of playfulness while being cooperative.
わかった、10分待つよ。これで譲歩したからね！
Fine, I'll wait 10 minutes. I've made a concession here!
Used jokingly to show you are being the 'bigger person.'
猫にソファの真ん中を譲歩することにした。
I decided to concede the middle of the sofa to the cat.
Applying a serious term to a silly situation for humor.
お互いに譲歩をしないと、この問題は解決しない。
If we don't both make concessions, this problem won't be solved.
Highlights the necessity of mutual compromise.
彼のプランに譲歩して、進めることにしました。
I decided to concede to his plan and move forward.
Focuses on group progress over personal preference.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct particle to complete the phrase.
交渉をスムーズに進めるために、彼らに譲歩___した。
The phrase is `譲歩をする` (to do a concession), so the object marker `を` is required.
Select the word that describes a 'large' concession.
相手側が___譲歩をしてくれたので、合意に至った。
`大幅に` (ōhabani) means 'greatly' or 'significantly,' which fits the context of reaching an agreement.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '譲歩をする'
Used with friends for minor compromises.
ちょっと譲歩するよ。
Daily conversations and general use.
譲歩をすることにした。
Business meetings and official reports.
譲歩を余儀なくされました。
Where to use 譲歩をする
Business Deal
Lowering the price slightly.
Relationship
Choosing a movie together.
Politics
Signing a peace treaty.
Roommates
Splitting cleaning duties.
Practice Bank
2 exercises交渉をスムーズに進めるために、彼らに譲歩___した。
The phrase is `譲歩をする` (to do a concession), so the object marker `を` is required.
相手側が___譲歩をしてくれたので、合意に至った。
`大幅に` (ōhabani) means 'greatly' or 'significantly,' which fits the context of reaching an agreement.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt means 'concession' or 'yielding ground.' In Japanese, 譲 means to hand over and 歩 means a step.
譲歩 is one-sided (you give in), while 妥協 (dakyō) usually implies both sides met in the middle. However, they are often used interchangeably.
Yes, but be careful. Saying 譲歩しました to a boss might sound like you are keeping score. It is better to use it when discussing third parties.
It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly fine in a business email or a serious conversation with a friend.
Use を as in 譲歩をする. If you are conceding *to* someone, use に, like 彼に譲歩する.
No, it is for abstract concepts. For physical things like a toy or a seat, use 譲る (yuzuru).
You can say 一歩も譲歩しない (ippo mo jōho shinai), which means 'I won't make even a single step of concession.'
Actually, no. It is often seen as a sign of maturity and 'Otona' (adult) behavior to prioritize the group over yourself.
Confusing it with 遠慮 (enryo). Enryo is holding back out of politeness; Jōho is giving up a specific demand to reach a goal.
Yes! It is very common when talking about how couples stay together by making concessions for each other's habits.
You can say 少し譲歩してもらえませんか？ (Could you make a small concession for me?).
You can just say 譲歩する without the を, but を makes it sound more complete and clear.
Related Phrases
妥協する
to compromise
歩み寄る
to meet halfway / step closer
折り合いをつける
to reach an understanding / settle
譲る
to yield / hand over
