The word 谈判 (tánpàn) is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a crucial aspect to the concept. The first character, 谈 (tán), means "to talk" or "to discuss", establishing the fundamental medium of the activity as verbal exchange. The second character, 判 (pàn), carries meanings of "to judge", "to decide", or "to distinguish", introducing the critical purpose of evaluation and decision-making. Together, they conceptually create the image of a formal discussion where parties are not merely speaking, but are engaged in a deliberate process of weighing options, distinguishing positions, and steering toward a formal judgment or settlement. Thus, the word encapsulates the entire process from open dialogue to resolution.