xiétiáo: 协调 - To Coordinate, Harmonize

xiétiáo: 协调 - To Coordinate, Harmonize

Quick Summary

Keywords: xietiao, xiétiáo, 协调, xietiao meaning, coordinate in Chinese, harmonize in Chinese, Chinese word for coordination, HSK 5, business Chinese, Chinese culture, harmony
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 协调 (xiétiáo), which means “to coordinate” or “harmonize.” More than just logistical planning, `xiétiáo` is the art of bringing people, ideas, or even colors into a smooth, functional, and balanced relationship. This concept is vital in Chinese business, social life, and aesthetics, reflecting the deep cultural value placed on harmony. This page will guide you through its meaning, cultural significance, and practical use with many examples.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): xiétiáo
Part of Speech: Verb, Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To coordinate, harmonize, or bring different elements into a concerted and effective alignment.
In a Nutshell: Think of `协调` as the action of a skilled orchestra conductor. The conductor doesn't play every instrument but ensures that the violins, brass, and percussion all play together beautifully. `协调` is the process of adjusting and aligning different parts—be it company departments, differing opinions, or the colors in a room—so they function together as a harmonious whole.

Character Breakdown

协 (xié): This character means “to cooperate” or “to assist.” It is composed of 十 (shí - ten) and 力 (lì - power/strength, repeated). The imagery suggests the combined strength of many people working together towards a common goal.
调 (tiáo): This character means “to adjust,” “to tune,” or “to mediate.” The left part is the “speech” radical (言 yán), suggesting that this adjustment often happens through communication and discussion. The right part (周 zhōu) provides the sound.
Together, 协 (cooperate) + 调 (adjust) = 协调 (xiétiáo). The word literally means “to cooperate through adjustment.” It captures the essence of actively managing different components to create a cooperative and harmonious outcome.

Cultural Context and Significance

In Chinese culture, the ultimate goal in many social and professional interactions is 和谐 (héxié) - harmony. `协调` is the practical, hands-on process used to achieve that harmony. It's the “how-to” of creating a balanced and conflict-free environment.
Comparison with “Coordination”: In Western business, “coordination” is often a logistical term, focused on project management, timelines, and resource allocation (like using a Gantt chart). In China, `协调` carries a much deeper social and relational weight. A manager who is good at `协调` doesn't just manage tasks; they manage relationships, mediate disagreements subtly, ensure everyone maintains 面子 (miànzi - “face” or social standing), and align the interests of different parties. It's less about mechanical efficiency and more about social and operational fluidity.
This value is rooted in a collectivist mindset, where the smooth functioning of the group is often prioritized over individual ambitions. A person who can `协调` well is seen as a capable and wise leader or colleague.

Practical Usage in Modern China

In Business and Government: This is the most common context. It refers to the crucial skill of getting different departments, teams, or agencies to work together effectively.
- e.g., `协调各个部门的工作` (xiétiáo gège bùmén de gōngzuò) - “to coordinate the work of all departments.”
In Design and Aesthetics: As an adjective, `协调` describes something that is harmonious, well-matched, or aesthetically pleasing. The opposite, `不协调` (bù xiétiáo), means clashing or uncoordinated.
- e.g., `这些颜色很协调` (zhèxiē yánsè hěn xiétiáo) - “these colors are very harmonious.”
In Resolving Conflicts: It can mean to mediate or reconcile a dispute by bringing two opposing sides to a middle ground.
- e.g., `他帮助协调了双方的矛盾` (tā bāngzhù xiétiáo le shuāngfāng de máodùn) - “he helped mediate the conflict between the two parties.”
Formality: `协调` is a neutral to formal term. It's standard in professional, academic, and official contexts. While you might not use it to “coordinate” getting pizza with your best friend, you would definitely use it to coordinate a group project or a vacation with multiple families.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 经理的主要任务是协调各部门之间的工作。
- Pinyin: Jīnglǐ de zhǔyào rènwù shì xiétiáo gè bùmén zhījiān de gōngzuò.
- English: The manager's main task is to coordinate the work between the various departments.
- Analysis: A classic business example. `协调` here is a verb referring to the essential management function of ensuring inter-departmental cooperation.
Example 2:
- 我们需要找个人来协调一下这件事。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào zhǎo ge rén lái xiétiáo yíxià zhè jiàn shì.
- English: We need to find someone to coordinate this matter.
- Analysis: The phrase `协调一下` (xiétiáo yíxià) softens the tone, making it a common way to suggest taking action to sort out a complex situation involving multiple people or factors.
Example 3:
- 这套家具的风格和房间的整体设计很协调。
- Pinyin: Zhè tào jiājù de fēnggé hé fángjiān de zhěngtǐ shèjì hěn xiétiáo.
- English: The style of this set of furniture is very harmonious with the room's overall design.
- Analysis: Here, `协调` is used as a stative adjective to mean “harmonious” or “well-matched” in an aesthetic sense.
Example 4:
- 由于缺乏协调，我们的项目进展得很慢。
- Pinyin: Yóuyú quēfá xiétiáo, wǒmen de xiàngmù jìnzhǎn de hěn màn.
- English: Due to a lack of coordination, our project is progressing very slowly.
- Analysis: `协调` is used as a noun here, “coordination.” `缺乏协调` (quēfá xiétiáo) is a common phrase to diagnose problems in teamwork or management.
Example 5:
- 两国同意协调在气候变化问题上的立场。
- Pinyin: Liǎng guó tóngyì xiétiáo zài qìhòu biànhuà wèntí shàng de lìchǎng.
- English: The two countries agreed to coordinate their positions on the issue of climate change.
- Analysis: This shows the use of `协调` in a formal, diplomatic context. It implies aligning policies and strategies through communication.
Example 6:
- 他的四肢很不协调，所以跳舞对他来说很难。
- Pinyin: Tā de sìzhī hěn bù xiétiáo, suǒyǐ tiàowǔ duì tā lái shuō hěn nán.
- English: His limbs are very uncoordinated, so dancing is very difficult for him.
- Analysis: The negative form `不协调` (bù xiétiáo) is used to describe a lack of physical coordination.
Example 7:
- 我们得协调一下大家的时间，找个都能参加的日期。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen děi xiétiáo yíxià dàjiā de shíjiān, zhǎo ge dōu néng cānjiā de rìqī.
- English: We have to coordinate everyone's schedules to find a date we can all attend.
- Analysis: This is a practical, everyday use. It's more than just `安排` (arranging); it implies a process of discussion and compromise to find a time that works for everyone.
Example 8:
- 通过有效的协调，我们团队的效率大大提高了。
- Pinyin: Tōngguò yǒuxiào de xiétiáo, wǒmen tuánduì de xiàolǜ dàdà tígāo le.
- English: Through effective coordination, our team's efficiency has greatly improved.
- Analysis: `有效的协调` (yǒuxiào de xiétiáo) is a powerful phrase in performance reviews and project summaries, highlighting a key success factor.
Example 9:
- 在处理家庭矛盾时，协调家庭成员之间的关系非常重要。
- Pinyin: Zài chǔlǐ jiātíng máodùn shí, xiétiáo jiātíng chéngyuán zhījiān de guānxì fēicháng zhòngyào.
- English: When handling family conflicts, coordinating the relationships between family members is very important.
- Analysis: This example shows `协调` being applied to relationships (`关系 guānxì`) directly, emphasizing its social function.
Example 10:
- 这个方案很好，但是执行起来需要生产和销售两方面的协调。
- Pinyin: Zhège fāng'àn hěn hǎo, dànshì zhíxíng qǐlái xūyào shēngchǎn hé xiāoshòu liǎng fāngmiàn de xiétiáo.
- English: This plan is very good, but its implementation requires coordination between production and sales.
- Analysis: Here, `协调` is a noun again. This sentence highlights that a good plan is useless without the successful coordination of the different parties responsible for carrying it out.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

`协调 (xiétiáo)` vs. `安排 (ānpái)`: This is a common point of confusion.
- `安排 (ānpái)` means “to arrange” or “to schedule.” It's logistical. You arrange a meeting (`安排会议`), arrange a car (`安排车`), or arrange a task for someone.
- `协调 (xiétiáo)` is about managing the interaction between different parts. You coordinate the opinions *at* the meeting, or coordinate the departments that need to work together.
- Mistake: Saying `请帮我协调一张桌子` (Please help me coordinate a table) is incorrect. You should say `请帮我安排一张桌子` (Please help me arrange for a table).
`协调 (xiétiáo)` vs. `合作 (hézuò)`:
- `合作 (hézuò)` means “to cooperate” or “to work together.” It's the action of two or more parties working jointly.
- `协调 (xiétiáo)` is often the management process that enables or improves cooperation. A manager `协调`s different teams so that they can `合作` more effectively.
Don't overuse it for simple matching: While you can say colors `协调` (harmonize), using it for simple things like “I need to coordinate my shoes with my belt” can sound overly formal. A more natural way might be `我的鞋要和皮带搭配` (wǒ de xié yào hé pídài dāpèi - my shoes need to match my belt), using the word 搭配 (dāpèi).

Related Terms and Concepts

`和谐` (héxié) - Harmony. The state of being peaceful and without conflict. `协调` is the action you take to achieve `和谐`.
`配合` (pèihé) - To cooperate; to act in concert with. Often implies one party adapting to another's lead, while `协调` is more about managing multiple, co-equal parts.
`调整` (tiáozhěng) - To adjust; to regulate. This is a core component of the `协调` process. You `调整` schedules or plans in order to `协调` the final outcome.
`安排` (ānpái) - To arrange; to plan. A more logistical term focused on scheduling and assigning resources.
`统一` (tǒngyī) - To unify; to unite. This is much stronger than `协调`. It implies making things the same or bringing them under a single standard, whereas `协调` allows different elements to remain distinct while working together.
`沟通` (gōutōng) - To communicate. Effective communication is the primary tool used for `协调`.
`平衡` (pínghéng) - Balance. A successful `协调` process results in `平衡`.
`冲突` (chōngtū) - Conflict. The very thing that `协调` aims to prevent or resolve.

Table of Contents

xiétiáo: 协调 - To Coordinate, Harmonize

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts