商談をする
shoudan o suru
conduct business negotiations
Literally: to do a business discussion
In 15 Seconds
- Formal discussion to reach a business agreement or contract.
- Used with external clients or partners, not internal teams.
- Focuses on building trust and long-term professional relationships.
Meaning
It means to engage in a formal discussion with a client or partner to reach a business agreement or close a deal.
Key Examples
3 of 6Updating a colleague on your schedule
午後はABC社と商談をする予定です。
I plan to conduct business negotiations with ABC Company this afternoon.
Reporting a successful meeting to a boss
無事に商談を終えることができました。
I was able to finish the business negotiations successfully.
Texting a friend about being busy
ごめん、今商談中だから後で連絡するね！
Sorry, I'm in a business meeting right now, so I'll contact you later!
Cultural Background
Business meetings often start with an exchange of business cards.
Context is Key
Only use this for external business deals.
In 15 Seconds
- Formal discussion to reach a business agreement or contract.
- Used with external clients or partners, not internal teams.
- Focuses on building trust and long-term professional relationships.
What It Means
商談をする is your bread and butter in the Japanese office. It means sitting down to discuss a potential deal. Think of it as the make-or-break conversation. You aren't just chatting about the weather here. You are talking about prices, timelines, and contracts. It is the bridge between a lead and a customer. It is the moment where business actually happens.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite simple. You take the noun 商談 and add the verb をする. If you are meeting someone, use the particle と. For example, クライアントと商談をする means negotiate with a client. You can also turn it into a noun phrase. 商談の準備 means preparing for the negotiation. In a busy office, you might hear 商談が入っている. This means I have a business meeting scheduled. It sounds professional and focused. You are the protagonist of your own corporate drama.
When To Use It
Use this when the goal is a transaction. It fits perfectly in a formal office setting. It also works if you meet at a cafe. Many Japanese business deals start over coffee or tea. Use it when talking to your boss about your schedule. Say I am heading out to 商談をする now. It shows you are doing serious work. It is perfect for LinkedIn updates or status reports. Use it when the stakes involve money or partnerships.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for internal team meetings. That is usually just a 会議. 商談 specifically involves an external party or a deal. Also, don't use it for personal bargaining. If you are at a flea market, use 値切り. Using 商談 for a 100-yen discount sounds a bit dramatic. Unless you want to make the shopkeeper laugh! Avoid it when hanging out with friends. You don't negotiate with friends for the last slice of pizza.
Cultural Background
In Japan, 商談 is about building long-term trust. It is rarely just about the lowest price. The first few meetings might not even mention money. They are checking if you are a reliable partner. There is a concept called 腹を割る. It means being honest during the negotiation. But usually, this happens after many hours of 商談. Patience is a huge virtue in these settings. The business card exchange is the opening ceremony of every 商談.
Common Variations
商談がまとまる is the phrase you want to hear. It means the deal is finalized or settled. 商談を成立させる means to successfully conclude the talk. If things go south, you might say 商談が破談になる. That means the deal fell through. Hopefully, you won't have to use that one often! You might also see 商談中 on a sign. This means a negotiation is currently in progress. Do not disturb the masters at work.
Usage Notes
This is a formal business collocation. It should be used when the context involves a transaction or a formal partnership. It is slightly more specific than 'meeting' as it implies a goal of reaching an agreement.
Context is Key
Only use this for external business deals.
Examples
6午後はABC社と商談をする予定です。
I plan to conduct business negotiations with ABC Company this afternoon.
A standard way to state your business plans.
無事に商談を終えることができました。
I was able to finish the business negotiations successfully.
Using the 'te-form' with 'owaru' to show completion.
ごめん、今商談中だから後で連絡するね！
Sorry, I'm in a business meeting right now, so I'll contact you later!
Uses 'shodanchu' as a noun to mean 'in the middle of a meeting'.
妻とお小遣いアップの商談をしましたが、即却下されました。
I tried to negotiate an allowance raise with my wife, but it was immediately rejected.
Using a formal term for a casual situation creates a funny contrast.
初めての大きな商談をするので、とても緊張しています。
I'm very nervous because I'm conducting my first big business negotiation.
Expresses personal feelings about a high-stakes professional moment.
明日の商談をする前に、資料をもう一度確認しましょう。
Let's check the documents one more time before we conduct tomorrow's negotiation.
Focuses on the preparation aspect of the collocation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
クライアントと＿＿＿＿＿して、契約を結びました。
Since a contract was signed, it was a business negotiation.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
1 exercisesクライアントと＿＿＿＿＿して、契約を結びました。
Since a contract was signed, it was a business negotiation.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsOnly if you are talking about a meeting with a client.
Related Phrases
{商談|しょうだん}をまとめる
specialized formTo close a deal
