调解 (tiáojiě) is a cornerstone of Chinese conflict resolution, deeply rooted in the Confucian value of harmony (和谐, héxié). In many Western cultures, particularly in the United States, the default approach to serious conflict is often adversarial and legalistic. Lawsuits, debates, and arguments are framed in terms of winning and losing. 调解, however, reflects a collectivist cultural preference for avoiding direct, public confrontation. Openly fighting is seen as disruptive to the group and can cause everyone involved to “lose face” (丢面子, diū miànzi). Instead of asking “Who is right?”, the 调解 process asks “How can we fix this and move forward together?” This is why it's the preferred first step for everything from neighborhood squabbles to business disagreements. China has a formal, state-sponsored system of “People's Mediation Committees” (人民调解委员会, Rénmín Tiáojiě Wěiyuánhuì) with millions of certified mediators who handle civil disputes at the community level, diverting cases from the formal court system. This cultural preference highlights a key difference:
调解 is a versatile term used in many contexts, from the courtroom to the living room.