Business is a serious game. If you want to play it, you must know how to communicate. And this is where the importance of learning business vocabulary in Chinese comes into play. If you want to be successful in business, you need to be able to speak Chinese and understand the language. In this post, we’ll review common Chinese phrases and terms for business. Whether you’re negotiating a new contract or just trying to order lunch with your boss, manager, or colleagues, these Chinese words and business phrases are essential for communicating effectively in the business world. Let’s begin!
Business is a fundamental aspect of Chinese culture, deeply ingrained in the country’s social fabric. For Chinese people, doing business is about making a profit and building and maintaining relationships.
Business interactions are often conducted highly personally, focusing on establishing trust and rapport. And if you plan to work in the corporate world, travel for work, start a business or migrate to China for good, having a basic understanding of business-related Chinese vocabulary can help you out. With that said, let’s learn more about the epic terms to use in the sections below.
Why Learn Chinese?
The Chinese language is one of the most important languages in the world, with over 1 billion native speakers. It’s also one of the fastest-growing languages on earth, with thousands more learning it yearly. If you want to do business with Chinese people or other Asians, then it makes sense that knowing some basic Chinese will help your career and future prospects.
Basic Business Vocabulary In Chinese
The following Chinese words and phrases are essential for doing business in China.
Business – 商业 (Shāngyè)
Definition: The activity of buying and selling goods and services.
Example:
- I am very interested in business.
- 我对商业非常感兴趣。
- Wǒ duì shāngyè fēicháng gǎn xìngqù.
Transaction – 交易 (Jiāoyì)
Definition: The exchange of goods or services between two parties.
Example:
- We need to complete this transaction.
- 我们需要这笔交易。
- Wǒmen xūyào wánchéng zhè bǐ jiāoyì.
Cooperation – 合作 (Hézuò)
Definition: The act of working together towards a common goal.
Example:
- We hope to cooperate with you.
- 我们希望能够与你们合作。
- Wǒmen xīwàng nénggòu yǔ nǐmen hézuò.
Market – 市场 (Shìchǎng)
Definition: A place where goods and services are bought and sold.
Example:
- We need to understand market demand.
- 我们需要了解市场需求。
- Wǒmen xūyào liǎo jiě shìchǎng xūqiú.
Finance – 财务 (Cáiwù)
Definition: The management of money and financial affairs.
Example:
- The finance department needs to calculate costs.
- 财务部门需要核算成本。
- Cáiwù bùmén xūyào hé suàn chéngběn.
Leader – 领导 (Lǐngdǎo)
Definition: A person who leads or commands a group, organization, or country.
Example:
- The company’s leaders are very experienced.
- 公司的领导非常有经验。
- Gōngsī de lǐngdǎo fēicháng yǒu jīngyàn.
Investment – 投资 (Tóuzī)
Definition The act of putting money into a project or venture.
Example:
- We are considering investing in this project.
- 我们正在考虑投资这个项目。
- Wǒmen zhèngzài kǎolǜ tóuzī zhège xiàngmù.
Profit – 利润 (Lì Rùn)
Definition: The amount of money left over after all expenses have been paid.
Example:
- Our profits increased last year.
- 我们的利润在去年有所增长。
- Wǒ men de lì rùn zài qù nián yǒu suǒ zēng zhǎng
Loss – 损失 (Sǔn Shī)
Definition: The amount of money lost when expenses exceed revenue.
Example:
- We need to control costs to avoid losses.
- 我们需要控制成本以避免损失。
- Wǒmen xū yào kòng zhì chéng běn yǐ bì miǎn sǔn shī.
Interest – 利息 (Lì Xī)
Definition: The amount of money charged for borrowing money or the amount earned on an investment.
Example sentence:
- We need to calculate the interest to determine the investment return.
- 我们需要计算利息以确定投资回报。
- Wǒ men xū yào jì suàn lì xī yǐ què dìng tóu zī huí bào
Consumer – 消费者 (Xiāofèizhě)
Definition: A person who buys goods or services for personal use.
Example:
- We need information technology to meet the needs of consumers.
- 我们需要信息技术来满足消费者的需求。
- Wǒmen xūyào xìnxī jìshù lái mǎnzú xiāofèizhě de xūqiú.
Competition – 竞争 (Jìngzhēng)
Definition: The act of competing for something, especially in business.
Example:
- In the market, competition is very intense.
- 在市场上，竞争非常激烈。
- Zài shìchǎng shàng, jìngzhēng fēicháng jīliè.
Brand – 品牌 (Pǐnpái)
Definition: A name, symbol, or design that identifies and distinguishes a product or company.
Example:
- This brand is very famous in the market.
- 这个品牌在市场上非常有名。
- Zhège pǐnpái zài shìchǎng shàng fēicháng yǒumíng.
Sales – 销售 (Xiāoshòu)
Definition: The activity of selling goods or services.
Example:
- We need to increase sales.
- 我们需要提高销售额。
- Wǒmen xūyào tígāo xiāoshòu’é.
Business Trip – 出差 (Chūchāi)
Definition: A trip taken for business purposes.
Example:
- We should go on a business trip.
- 我们应该出差。
- Wǒmen yīnggāi chūchāi.
Contract – 合同 (Hé Tóng)
Definition: A legally binding agreement between two or more parties.
Example:
- We need to sign a contract to establish the terms.
- 我们需要签署一份合同来规定条款。
- Wǒ men xū yào qiān shū yī fèn hé tóng lái guī dìng tiáo kuǎn.
Client – 客户 (Kè Hù)
Definition: A person or company that uses the services of a professional or organization.
Example:
- Our clients come from all over the world.
- 我们的客户来自世界各地。
- Wǒ men de kè hù lái zì shì jiè gè dì.
Business Partners – 商业伙伴 (Shāng Yè Huǒ Bàn)
Definition: A person or organization you collaborate with on a project or business venture.
Example:
- Our business partners are in China.
- 我们的商业伙伴在中国。
- Wǒ men de shāng yè huǒ bàn zài zhōng guó.
Human Resources – 人力资源 (Rén lì Zī Yuán)
Definition: The department of employees or manager in charge of managing a company’s workforce.
Example:
- The human resources department is responsible for recruitment, training, and benefits.
- 人力资源部门负责招聘、培训和福利。
- Rén lì zī yuán bù mén fù zé zhāo pìn, péi xùn hé fú lì.
Business Meeting – 商务会议 (Shāng Wù Huì Yì)
Definition: A formal gathering of people to address and discuss business-related matters.
Example:
- We need to hold a business meeting to discuss cooperation matters.
- 我们需要召开商务会议来讨论合作事宜。
- Wǒ men xū yào zhào kāi shāng wù huì yì lái tǎo lùn hé zuò shì yí.
Business Card – 名片 (Míng Piàn)
Definition: A small card with the contact information of a person, office, or company.
Example sentence:
- We exchange business cards after every business meeting.
- 每次商务会议后，我们都会交换名片。
- Měi cì shāng wù huì yì hòu, wǒ men dōu huì jiāo huàn míng piàn.
Price – 价格 (Jià Gé)
Definition: The amount of money charged for a product or service.
Example:
- We need to discuss the price and payment methods.
- 我们需要讨论价格和付款方式。
- Wǒ men xū yào tǎo lùn jià gé hé fù kuǎn fāng shì.
Deal – 交易 (Jiāo Yì)
Definition: An agreement between two or more parties to exchange services for payment.
Example:
- We need to negotiate to reach a deal.
- 我们需要谈判来达成一笔交易。
- Wǒ men xū yào tán pàn lái dáéng yī bǐ jiāo yì.
Stock – 股票 (Gǔ Piào)
Definition: A share representing a portion of ownership in a company.
Example:
- We need to buy more stocks to increase income.
- 我们需要购买更多的股票来增加收入。
- Wǒ men xū yào gòu mǎi gèng duō de gǔ piào lái zēng jiā shōu rù.
Cost – 成本 (Chéng Běn)
Definition: The total amount of money spent to produce a product or service.
Example:
- We need to control costs to increase profits.
- 我们需要控制成本以提高利润。
- Wǒ men xū yào kòng zhì chéng běn yǐ tí gāo lì rùn.
Industry – 行业 (Háng Yè)
Definition: A particular area of business activity.
Example:
- Our company is in the IT industry.
- 我们的公司在IT行业。
- Wǒ men de gōng sī zài IT háng yè.
Economics – 经济学 (Jīng Jì Xué)
Definition: The study of the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services.
Example:
- Economics is a complex discipline.
- 经济学是一门复杂的学科。
- Jīng jì xué shì yī mén fù zá de xué kē.
Trade – 贸易 (Mào Yì)
Definition: The exchange of goods or services between countries or individuals.
Example:
- We need to expand our trade channels.
- 我们需要拓展贸易渠道。
- Wǒ men xū yào tuò zhǎn mào yì qú dào.
Job – 工作 (Gōng Zuò)
Definition: A paid position of regular employment.
Example:
- We have multiple job positions to fill.
- 我们有多个工作职位需要填补。
- Wǒ men yǒu duō gè gōng zuò zhí wèi xū yào tián bǔ.
Marketing – 市场营销 (Shì Chǎng Yíng Xiāo)
Definition: The process of promoting and selling products or services.
Example:
- Marketing is an important business activity.
- 市场营销是一项重要的商业活动。
- Shì chǎng yíng xiāo shì yī xiàng zhòng yào de shāng yè huó dòng.
Discount – 折扣 (Zhé Kòu)
Definition: To reduce the price of something.
Example:
- Wouldn’t it be possible to get some more discounts?
- 难道就没有可能再多打一些折扣了吗?
- Nándào jiù méiyǒu kěnéng zài duō dǎ yīxiē zhé kòu le ma?
Level Up Your Chinese Business Vocabulary
As we wrap up our exploration of business vocabulary in Chinese, one thing is clear: knowing Chinese is a game-changer in the business world. Mastering business vocabulary in Chinese is like having a secret weapon in your arsenal. It’s the key to unlocking doors to new opportunities and forging meaningful connections in the global marketplace.
So, don’t let language barriers hold you back! Start learning Chinese today, and join the ranks of the world’s most powerful businesspeople. If you want to start your language-learning journey, check out the Ling app!
Learn Chinese With Ling
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