磋

cuō
差 + 石

Definitions

cuō (verb) to polish; to deliberate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 差 represents the sound.

Semantic: 石 Phonetic: 差

About

The character 磋 (cuō) is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side radical 石 (shí), meaning "stone", provides the semantic category of physical crafting, while the right component 差 (chā/cuō) supplies the phonetic element. Originally, 磋 referred to the tangible process of grinding or polishing materials like bone, ivory, or stone to refine them. This concrete action later extended metaphorically to describe intellectual exchanges, such as consulting, debating, or discussing, where ideas are similarly refined through constructive dialogue to improve understanding or skill.

Example Sentences Hide

双方需要磋商。

Shuāngfāng xūyào cuōshāng.

Both sides need to consult.

我们磋商了合作事宜。

Wǒmen cuōshāngle hézuò shìyí.

We discussed cooperation matters.

两国代表进行友好磋商。

Liǎng guó dàibiǎo jìnxíng yǒuhǎo cuōshāng.

Representatives of the two countries held friendly consultations.

公司内部经常磋商业务。

Gōngsī nèibù jīngcháng cuōshāng yèwù.

The company often discusses business internally.

通过多次磋商，我们达成了协议。

Tōngguò duōcì cuōshāng, wǒmen dáchéngle xiéyì.

Through multiple consultations, we reached an agreement.

在会议上，双方磋商了贸易条款。

Zài huìyì shàng, shuāngfāng cuōshāngle màoyì tiáokuǎn.

At the meeting, both sides discussed trade terms.

他们经常切磋技艺。

Tāmen jīngcháng qiēcuō jìyì.

They often exchange skills and learn from each other.

经过深入磋商，双方终于解决了分歧。

Jīngguò shēnrù cuōshāng, shuāngfāng zhōngyú jiějuéle fēnqí.

After in-depth consultations, both sides finally resolved their differences.

Related Characters

Component: 差

搓 嗟 槎 蹉 鹾 嵯 艖 瘥 傞 溠 瑳 醝 鹺

Component: 石

确 研 破 础 硬 码 碰 矿 碎 岩 碍 磨 磁 碗

Example Words

切磋 磋商 磋磨