Essential Business Chinese Vocabulary

With China’s GDP exceeding $18 trillion, mastering essential business Chinese vocabulary is key to connecting with its dynamic economy and unlocking new opportunities. And everything starts with mastering essential business Chinese vocabulary.

Greetings and introductions

Introduction is a must in a business conversation
Introduction is a must in a business conversation

First impressions matter, especially in the Chinese business culture. Knowing how to greet someone and introduce yourself properly with common phrases is, therefore, very important.

  • 你好 (nǐ hǎo) – Hello
  • 早上好 (zǎoshang hǎo) – Good morning
  • 晚上好 (wǎnshang hǎo) – Good evening
  • 很高兴认识你 (hěn gāoxìng rènshi nǐ) – Nice to meet you
  • 你叫什么名字? (nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?) – What’s your name?
  • 我叫… (wǒ jiào…) – My name is…
  • 我来自 (Wǒ lái zì) – I am from…

Company and industry

You need to grasp relevant business Chinese vocabulary about company and industry
You need to grasp relevant business Chinese vocabulary about company and industry

Understanding basic terms related to companies and industries is essential for a business Chinese conversation.

  • 公司 (gōngsī) – Company
  • 项目 (xiàngmù) – Project
  • 合作 (hézuò) – Cooperation/Collaboration
  • 市场 (shìchǎng) – Market
  • 客户 (kèhù) – Customer/Client
  • 经理 (jīnglǐ) – Manager
  • 会议 (huìyì) – Meeting/Conference

Meetings and presentations

Proper business Chinese vocabulary can help you gain a reputation
Proper business Chinese vocabulary can help you gain a reputation

Meetings and presentations are just part of how things get done. Knowing the proper business Chinese language can help you leave a positive impression on others and develop your career or business.

  • 会议议程 (huìyì yìchéng) – Meeting agenda
  • 会议几点开始 (huìyì jǐ diǎn kāishǐ?) – What time does the meeting start?
  • 准备好了吗？(zhǔnbèi hǎo le ma?) – Are you ready?
  • 我来做个报告 (wǒ lái zuò ge bàogào) – I will give a presentation
  • 有什么问题吗？(yǒu shénme wèntí ma?) – Are there any questions?
  • 请大家踊跃发言。(qǐng dàjiā yǒngyuè fāyán) – Please feel free to speak up.
  • 感谢您的参与。(gǎnxiè nín de cānyù) – Thank you for your participation.
  • 总结 (zǒngjié) – Summary/To Summarize

Negotiation and contracts

Business Chinese vocabulary helps you successfully deal a negotiation or contract
Business Chinese vocabulary helps you successfully deal a negotiation or contract

When you’re doing business internationally, good negotiation and contracts are needed. You have to know your stuff, and sometimes that means using some business Chinese vocabulary to make sure you’re on the same page!

  • 谈判 (tánpàn) – Negotiation
  • 合同 (hétong) – Contract
  • 合同条款 (hétong tiáokuǎn) – Contract terms
  • 让步 (ràngbù) – Concession
  • 最终协议 (zuìzhōng xiéyì) – Final agreement
  • 签字 (qiānzì) – To sign (a document)
  • 有效期 (yǒuxiàoqí) – Validity period
  • 这个价格是否可以商量？ (Zhège jiàgé shìfǒu kěyǐ shāngliàng?) – Is this price negotiable?
  • 我们能否讨论一下条件？ (Wǒmen néng fǒu tǎolùn yīxià tiáojiàn?) – Can we discuss the terms?
  • 我们需要签署一份合同 (Wǒmen xūyào qiānshǔ yīfèn hétóng) – We need to sign a contract.
  • 我们需要重新考虑。(wǒmen xūyào chóngxīn kǎolǜ.) – We need to reconsider.
  • 我们能否在…方面达成一致？(wǒmen néngfǒu zài…fāngmiàn dáchéng yīzhì?) – Can we reach an agreement on…?

Finance and Accounting

Work effectively thanks to business Chinese vocabulary about finance and accounting
Work effectively thanks to business Chinese vocabulary about finance and accounting

Business can’t run smoothly without finance and accounting teams. When dealing with overseas partners, picking up some business Chinese vocabulary related to this field can be efficient.

  • 财务 (cáiwù) – Finance
  • 会计 (kuàijì) – Accounting
  • 预算 (yùsuàn) – Budget
  • 利润 (lìrùn) – Profit
  • 收入 (shōurù) – Revenue/Income
  • 资产 (zīchǎn) – Assets
  • 负债 (fùzhài) – Liabilities
  • 投资 (tóuzī) – Investment
  • 报表 (bàobiǎo) – Financial statement/Report
  • 盈亏平衡点 (yíngkuī pínghéng diǎn) – Break-even point
  • 这个季度我们的财务状况怎么样？(Zhège jìdù wǒmen de cáiwù zhuàngkuàng zěnme yàng?) – How is our financial situation this quarter?

Human resources

You will work with the employees better when you can communicate with them
You will work with the employees better when you can communicate with them

The truth is a company’s success depends on good human resources to manage its people. It’s vital for a happy workforce, and that matters, especially if you need things like understanding business Chinese vocabulary for a global team!

  • 人力资源 (rénlì zīyuán) – Human Resources
  • 招聘 (zhāopìn) – Recruitment/Hiring
  • 面试 (miànshì) – Interview
  • 简历 (jiǎnlì) – Resume/CV
  • 员工 (yuángōng) – Employee/Staff
  • 工资 (gōngzī) – Salary/Wage
  • 福利 (fúlì) – Benefits/Welfare
  • 晋升 (jìnshēng) – Promotion
  • 工作描述 (gōngzuò miáoshù) – Job description
  • 试用期 (shìyòngqí) – Probationary period
  • 绩效考核 (jìxiào kǎohé) – Performance appraisal

Marketing and sales

Marketing and Sales are to communicate with customers through products and services
Marketing and Sales are to communicate with customers through products and services

To really grow the business, we need marketing and sales working together seamlessly – and maybe even brush up on some key business Chinese vocabulary to better connect with potential clients overseas!

  • 市场营销 (shìchǎng yíngxiāo) – Marketing
  • 销售 (xiāoshòu) – Sales
  • 广告 (guǎnggào) – Advertisement/Advertising
  • 品牌 (pǐnpái) – Brand
  • 目标市场 (mùbiāo shìchǎng) – Target market
  • 竞争 (jìngzhēng) – Competition
  • 产品 (chǎnpǐn) – Product
  • 服务 (fúwù) – Service
  • 促销 (cùxiāo) – Sales promotion
  • 市场份额 (shìchǎng fèn’é) – Market share
  • 打折 (dǎzhé) – Discount
  • 我们的销售目标是… (Wǒmen de xiāoshòu mùbiāo shì…) – Our sales target is…

If you are looking for more opportunities to develop in the Chinese market, the above business Chinese vocabulary is really helpful. Not only will the business Chinese language help you to communicate effectively with your Chinese counterparts in any situation. Let’s learn Chinese for free with GuruLango.