Comparing "shangliang" and "taolun"

While 商量 and 讨论 both are verbs and can be translated to mean “to discuss”, usually these two words cannot be used interchangeably. 商量 is for the purpose of solving problems, whereas 讨论 is used to exchange ideas and opinions. Another difference is that 商量 is used in informal situations, whereas 讨论 is more often used in formal situations.











B2HSK4ASV4567
商量 (shāngliang) 讨论 (tǎolùn)
Meaning to discuss in order to solve a problem to discuss in order to exchange ideas and opinions
Part of Speech informal formal
Formality flexible flexible