difference between 妥協｛だきょう｝and 歩｛あゆ｝み寄｛よ｝り　(compromise)


I often confuse 妥協｛だきょう｝(compromise; giving in) and 歩み寄り｛あゆみより｝(compromise,
concession). Can someone explain the differences, when to use one over the
other?

It seems that there are a lot of other variants as well:
折衷｛せっちゅう｝、和解｛わかい｝、譲歩｛じょうほ｝、折｛お｝り合｛あ｝い、互譲｛ごじょう｝、着地点｛ちゃくちてん｝, etc. Would be
great to get some details on those words as well.




These words or phrase are so similar that even a native Japanese speaker could
confuse their meanings. However, there are a few differences between these
words:

  * **妥協** "compromise"

Usually, 妥協 is based on a unilateral view from a person or group and suggests
some kind of dissatisfaction.

> 私はその契約には納得いかなかったが、予算から考えて **妥協** せざるを得なかった。

  * **歩み寄り** "compromise"

This word is based on a bilateral view from multiple people or parties.

> 私はその契約ははじめは納得できなかったが、向こう側からの **歩み寄り** もあり結局その契約を結んだ。

  * **折衷** "combination"

This word doesn't mean "compromise", and it is also a little archaic. Native
Japanese speakers usually don't use it.

> 和洋 **折衷** (This phrase is almost a proverb at this point.)

  * **和解** "peacemaking" / "mutual understanding"

This word is more formal and objective than 歩み寄り. It originally meant ending a
war, quarrel, or fight by peaceful ways.

> かつてその国は内戦状態であったが現在は **和解** が成立している。

  * **譲歩** "compromise"

This word is more formal than 歩み寄り, and more subjective than 和解 (but it
doesn't mean "peacemaking").

> 双方の **譲歩** により金融危機は免れた。

  * **互譲** "compromise"

This word is very similar to 譲歩. However, it is an archaic expression and
usually is not used.

  * **着地点** "result by mutual understanding"

This word is similar to 妥協.

> 結局のところ、この案が **着地点** になりそうだ。




These words or phrase are so similar that even a native Japanese speaker could
confuse their meanings. However, there are a few differences between these
words:

  * **妥協** "compromise"

Usually, 妥協 is based on a unilateral view from a person or group and suggests
some kind of dissatisfaction.

> 私はその契約には納得いかなかったが、予算から考えて **妥協** せざるを得なかった。

  * **歩み寄り** "compromise"

This word is based on a bilateral view from multiple people or parties.

> 私はその契約ははじめは納得できなかったが、向こう側からの **歩み寄り** もあり結局その契約を結んだ。

  * **折衷** "combination"

This word doesn't mean "compromise", and it is also a little archaic. Native
Japanese speakers usually don't use it.

> 和洋 **折衷** (This phrase is almost a proverb at this point.)

  * **和解** "peacemaking" / "mutual understanding"

This word is more formal and objective than 歩み寄り. It originally meant ending a
war, quarrel, or fight by peaceful ways.

> かつてその国は内戦状態であったが現在は **和解** が成立している。

  * **譲歩** "compromise"

This word is more formal than 歩み寄り, and more subjective than 和解 (but it
doesn't mean "peacemaking").

> 双方の **譲歩** により金融危機は免れた。

  * **互譲** "compromise"

This word is very similar to 譲歩. However, it is an archaic expression and
usually is not used.

  * **着地点** "result by mutual understanding"

This word is similar to 妥協.

> 結局のところ、この案が **着地点** になりそうだ。

