I'd use "cooperate" to indicate that people were simply working together, in agreement. For "collaborate", I'd use it to indicate that there was some creative process on the project. For example, when two or more people work together on a book, music or artwork, we'd say they were "collaborating", instead of "cooperating".

collaborate = 共同努力, 合力, 攜手 (both have a common goal － 雙方利益） cooperate = 配合 cooperate with someone: 配合某人 （未必互相利益） When the police catch a criminal, and they interrogate him, if the criminal does not respond, he is "refusing to cooperate". But if he answers the police's question, he is cooperating with them, but not collaborating with them. To collaborate with the police, the criminal would need to help them catch more criminals. Collaborate means there is a common goal. Cooperation does not necessarily mean the people are working together. Only that at least one is helping another.... He cooperated with the other's request. (one is helping the other only). Cooperate = to do something to be in harmony, collaborate = working on something together In Andrew's example, "to cooperate with the enemy" could mean to surrender if they were going to shoot you. you cooperate with them if they catch you and you accept to be taken prisoner instead of fight. but to "to collaborate with the enemy" would mean to help them fight your own country

Hi Ivy, There is a subtle difference in the way these two words are applied. Both words mean to work together to achieve something, however while you may co-operate with the police to help in an investigation, in this case you are not collaborating with the police. I think collaboration, usually refers co-operation between equals, and usually in an academic setting. Example: Two academic professors, where they are using each others knowledge or experience to write their own or joint papers would be collaborating with each other. Collaborate is also used to indicate actions of treason with an enemy. Example: The army officer was charged with collaborating with the enemy. A.