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.
両社は合意に達した。
The two companies reached a consensus.
合意が得られなかった。
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.
全員の意見が一致した。
Everyone's opinions were in agreement.
Refers to the collective will or consensus of an entire group, often used in formal statements.
これは国民の総意です。
This is the consensus of the people.
The loanword 'consensus' is used in business and academic contexts, often in compound terms.
チーム内でコンセンサスを得る必要がある。
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.
会議で合意を形成するのに時間がかかった。
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.
みんなで話し合いで決めよう。
Let's decide by consensus (through discussion).
Pattern meaning 'we reached a consensus that ~', often used to report a decision.
延期するということで意見がまとまった。
We reached a consensus to postpone it.
Indicating that everyone seems to agree, often implicitly or without formal process.
Means 'tacit understanding' or 'unspoken consensus', used when agreement is assumed without explicit discussion.
それは暗黙の了解だった。
That was an unspoken consensus.
Literally 'there are no objections', used to confirm consensus in meetings.
この提案に異論がなければ、次に進みます。
If there is consensus (no objection) on this proposal, let's move on.
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.
Means 'unanimous', often used in formal voting contexts, but can imply strong consensus.
その決議は満場一致で可決された。
The resolution was passed by consensus (unanimously).