Translation guide
The English word "consensus" refers to a general agreement among a group. In Japanese, expressing this concept often involves nouns like 合意 or 総意, but the most natural way to talk about reaching consensus is through verbs and set phrases. This guide covers formal, business, and everyday expressions.
Expressing that a group has reached a common understanding or opinion.
The most direct and common noun for 'consensus' or 'mutual agreement', used in formal and business contexts.
The two companies reached a consensus.
A consensus could not be reached.
Literally 'opinions match', this is a natural way to say there is consensus in both formal and casual settings.
Everyone's opinions were in agreement.
Refers to the collective will or consensus of an entire group, often used in formal statements.
This is the consensus of the people.
The loanword 'consensus' is used in business and academic contexts, often in compound terms.
We need to get a consensus within the team.
Describing the process of building agreement, often in meetings or negotiations.
A formal phrase meaning 'to build/form a consensus', common in business and political contexts.
It took time to build a consensus at the meeting.
A more casual way to say 'decide through discussion', implying consensus-building without formal voting.
Let's decide by consensus (through discussion).
Pattern meaning 'we reached a consensus that ~', often used to report a decision.
Indicating that everyone seems to agree, often implicitly or without formal process.
English often uses 'consensus' as a noun in phrases like 'reach a consensus'. Japanese does not have a single verb 'to consensus'. Use phrases like 合意する or 意見が一致する instead of trying to directly translate 'consensus' as a verb.
合意 (ごうい) is a mutual agreement between parties, often after negotiation. 同意 (どうい) is consent or approval, often one-sided. For 'consensus', 合意 is more appropriate when multiple parties are involved.
We reached a consensus to postpone it.
If there is consensus (no objection) on this proposal, let's move on.
Means 'unanimous', often used in formal voting contexts, but can imply strong consensus.
The resolution was passed by consensus (unanimously).