negociar
verbCEFR B2
What does “negociar” mean in English?
to negotiate
to negotiate (negociar con alguien / negociar un acuerdo — workplace and institutional register)
Example sentences
Ambas partes acordaron negociar las condiciones del acuerdo en una sesión de mediación neutral.
Both parties agreed to negotiate the terms of the agreement in a neutral mediation session.
El sindicato y la empresa llevan semanas intentando negociar un convenio colectivo satisfactorio para ambas partes.
The union and the company have been trying for weeks to negotiate a collective agreement satisfactory to both parties.
No hay nada que no pueda negociarse si ambas partes actúan de buena fe y con voluntad de llegar a un acuerdo.
There is nothing that cannot be negotiated if both parties act in good faith and with a willingness to reach an agreement.
How to use it
Negociar means 'to negotiate' and is the standard register-neutral-to-formal verb for discussing terms in professional contexts. Key patterns: negociar con alguien (to negotiate with someone), negociar un acuerdo/contrato/plazo (to negotiate an agreement/contract/deadline), negociar las condiciones (to negotiate the terms). Collocates: mesa de negociación (negotiating table), entrar en negociaciones (to enter into negotiations), negociación colectiva (collective bargaining). Register note: negociar is a false friend for English 'negotiate' only in business contexts — in everyday speech, hablar / llegar a un acuerdo is more natural.
Common mistake
The false cognate trap: 'I'll negotiate a ride with my friend' does not translate as negociaré — use hablar con or quedar con. Negociar is specifically for structured negotiation of terms, agreements, or conditions. Also: the object matters — you negociar un acuerdo (negotiate an agreement) or negociar con alguien (negotiate with someone) — not *negociar a alguien.