Chinese Business Vocabulary: Roadmap of Business Chinese Vocabulary for Foreigners

Navigating a Chinese business environment means learning a new dialect. It’s not just Chinese vocabulary; it’s a code of conduct, relationship-building, and strategic communication wrapped in specific Chinese phrases. The truth is, the wrong phrase can sound unprofessional, but the right one can build instant trust. Let’s decode the essential words and phrases that Chinese learners should know.

Titles, greetings, and humility in Chinese business

Before any deal, you establish the relationship using the right vocabulary. This starts with getting names and titles right in Chinese business culture.

The title is key. You’ll frequently use (Chief) as a prefix: (Chief Wang), (Director Li). If someone has a professional title like (Engineer), use it. It’s a sign of respect that is central to the business culture.

Your opening greeting sets the tone. (nínhǎo)您好 (A respectful ‘you good’) is mandatory in initial meetings. A phrase you’ll hear constantly is (I’ve long admired your great name).

When introducing yourself, downplay your own status. You might say (I am here to learn). In other words, you’re using specific Chinese vocabulary to acknowledge hierarchy and show respect from the first sentence. This vocabulary is the bedrock of professional interaction in a Chinese-speaking workplace.

Let's have a look at these sample greetings in Mandarin Chinese:

The meeting vocabulary words for discussion

Once you’re in the room, specific Chinese vocabulary structures the discussion.

The (Agenda) is key. You’ll discuss the (Main objectives). A crucial concept is (Consensus). The goal is to (Reach consensus). This phrase is more important than "winning" a debate in a Chinese business context.

To present your idea, frame it as a (Suggestion). Use softening phrases like ... (Is it possible that we can...).

When you need clarity, ask ？ (Can we clarify this point?).

To move things forward, you’ll aim for a (Next step).

More or less, the Chinese phrases used prioritize collective progress and clear, agreed-upon pathways over individual assertion. This vocabulary is essential for any business meeting.

Some common expressions are:

Negotiation vocabulary in Chinese workplace

This is where your business Chinese vocabulary meets strategy. The process is a (Negotiation).

You’ll discuss (Terms), (Price), and (Payment method). A key term is (To make a concession). The goal is finding a (Win-win solution).

The vocabulary here is careful. Instead of "we want," you use phrases like (We hope).

Before signing the (Contract), you’ll review the (Details).

The target phrase is (To reach an agreement). Basically, this negotiation vocabulary frames the process as collaborative problem-solving. Mastering these words and phrases is critical for dealing with business partners.

You can frame your sentences as such to avoid direct conflicts:

Vocabulary terms for describing the business operations

To discuss a company, you need the Chinese vocabulary of mechanics and metrics.

Core terms include (Market), (Sales), and (Operations). You analyze (Market share) and (Performance). Are you facing (Competition)?

Internal talk uses vocabulary like (Team), (Efficiency), and (Cost). You manage a (Budget) and track a project’s (Progress).

So far as describing business health, these Chinese words let you diagnose and plan. This vocabulary is fundamental within a company and for effective communication with Chinese people about performance.

Imagine having your Monday meeting as such:

Common Chinese terms for the digital and modern business culture

No modern business Chinese talk is complete without contemporary terms. (E-commerce) is huge. You discuss (Social media) strategy and (Traffic). (Innovation) and (Technology) are frequent topics.

Vocabulary like (Platform), (Big data), and (Artificial intelligence) is now common Chinese parlance in the business environment. (Software) and (App) are standard.

In other words, this part of the lexicon evolves quickly, but the terms are often direct translations, making them some of the easiest Chinese phrases for international professionals to pick up and use Chinese confidently.

You might hear these sentences in ads:

Chinese phrases for problems and solutions

Things don’t always go smoothly. The Chinese vocabulary for handling issues is diplomatic.

A problem is a (Problem). There might be a (Misunderstanding) to resolve. The focus is on (To resolve).

You’ll work on (Adjustment plan). The goal is to (Overcome difficulties). The language avoids blame.

A useful phrase is (Let’s look at this problem together). It’s vocabulary centered on collective troubleshooting and maintaining harmony, which is key for business in China. Learning to speak politely about problems is a vital Chinese skill.

You can approach the trouble this way:

Networking vocabulary and phrases to exchange with people

Business in China is built on (Relationships), but the word itself is rarely used overtly. You build it through (Exchange).

After a meeting, a (Follow-up email) is essential.

Social dining is key; the phrase (I offer you a toast) is a ritual. Social dining is very popular in Chinese business culture, and (Chinese wine) is often used as either gifts or bribes in some business scenarios. Drinking Chinese wine is also common. However, as people, especially the younger generation, become more aware of the harm of toxic drinking culture to both health and the business environment, drinking and bribing with alcohol are gradually being replaced.

You express hope for (Long-term cooperation). A gracious phrase is (Please give us your guidance).

More or less, this vocabulary demonstrates reliability and respect, turning a discussion into a connection. For a foreigner, mastering these Chinese phrases is often more important than technical vocabulary. It’s how you help you communicate on a deeper level.

These are common networking expressions:

Common pitfalls in using business Chinese vocabulary

Let’s preempt mistakes.

The downside to ignoring these vocabulary and politeness nuances is being seen as culturally unaware. This vocabulary list is a complement to cultural understanding, not a replacement.

Practical tips to learn business Chinese vocabulary

Learning this business Chinese vocabulary feels daunting, but you can hack it. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Anyway, if you're serious about doing business in China, you'll probably want to learn at least some Chinese. Migaku's browser extension and app let you learn from real content like Chinese news sites or business articles, picking up professional vocabulary in context. Way more useful than generic textbook phrases. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

FAQs

From study to the boardroom, how to get ready?

To make your Chinese vocabulary stick, immerse yourself in business media. Follow industry leaders. When you see a post about (Market share) or (Economic trends), you’re reviewing in real-time. This bridges your study of Chinese phrases directly to the dynamic language of real business in China.

Make your learning relevant and applicable!