# Chinese Office Vocabulary: Essential Workplace Terms
> Department names, job titles, daily tasks, and business phrases you'll use in professional settings. Useful business Chinese vocabulary for your success.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/chinese-office-vocabulary
**Last Updated:** 2026-04-05
**Tags:** vocabulary, phrases
---
[Learning Chinese](https://migaku.com/learn-chinese) for business is one thing, but actually navigating an office environment in China requires a whole different set of vocabulary. You need to know how to talk about departments, job titles, daily tasks, and all those little workplace interactions that come up constantly. Whether you're preparing for a job in China, working with Chinese partners, or just want to expand your Mandarin beyond textbook basics, getting comfortable with office vocabulary will make your professional life way easier.

<toc></toc>

----
## Essential Chinese vocabulary for office departments
Every company has departments, and knowing how to refer to them correctly in Chinese is fundamental. You'll hear these terms constantly in any professional setting.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="人力资源部[ren2 li4 zi1 yuan2 bu4;h]"></typo> | Human Resources Department (shortened to <typo lang="zh" syntax="HR部[bu4;n]"></typo> in casual conversation) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="财务部[cai2 wu4 bu4;h]"></typo> | Finance Department (for expense reports and budget approvals) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="市场部[shi4 chang3 bu4;h]"></typo> | Marketing Department |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="销售部[xiao1 shou4 bu4;h]"></typo> | Sales Department |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="信息技术部[xin4 xi1 ji4 shu4 bu4;h]"></typo> | IT Department (often just called <typo lang="zh" syntax="IT部[bu4;n]"></typo>) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="研发部[yan2 fa1 bu4;h]"></typo> | Research and Development Department (short for <typo lang="zh" syntax="研究[yan2 jiu1;vn]开[kai1;v]发[fa1;v]部[bu4;n]"></typo>) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="客服部[ke4 fu2 bu4;h]"></typo> | Customer Service Department (short for <typo lang="zh" syntax="客户服务部[ke4 hu4 fu2 wu4 bu4;un]"></typo>) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="法务部[fa3 wu4 bu4;h]"></typo> | Legal Department |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="行政部[xing2 zheng4 bu4;h]"></typo> | Administration / General Affairs Department |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="生产部[sheng1 chan3 bu4;h]"></typo> | Production Department |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="物流部[wu4 liu2 bu4;h]"></typo> | Logistics Department |

----
## Common job titles and positions in Chinese workplaces
Understanding job titles helps you navigate office hierarchies and know who to contact for different issues. Chinese companies tend to be more hierarchical than Western ones, so titles matter.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="总经理[zong3 jing1 li3;h]"></typo> | General manager / CEO |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="部门经理[bu4 men2 jing1 li3;h]"></typo> | Department manager (can be specified, e.g., <typo lang="zh" syntax="市[shi4;n]场部[chang2 bu4;n]经理[jing1 li3;n]"></typo> for marketing manager) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="主任[zhu3 ren4;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="总监[zong3 jian1;h]"></typo> | Director (depending on company structure) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="员工[yuan2 gong1;h]"></typo> | Regular employee |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="同事[tong2 shi4;h]"></typo> | Colleague |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="上司[shang4 si1;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="老板[lao3 ban3;h]"></typo> | Supervisor / Boss (<typo lang="zh" syntax="老板[lao3 ban3;n]"></typo> is more casual) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="实习生[shi2 xi2 sheng1;h]"></typo> | Intern |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="项目经理[xiang4 mu4 jing1 li3;h]"></typo> | Project manager |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="组长[zu3 zhang3;h]"></typo> | Team leader |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="助理[zhu4 li3;h]"></typo> | Assistant |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="董事长[dong3 shi4 zhang3;h]"></typo> | Chairman |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="副总裁[fu4 zong3 cai2;h]"></typo> | Vice president |

----
## Daily office tasks and activities
These are the verbs and phrases you'll use every single day in a Chinese office environment. They cover the basic actions that make up your work routine.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="开会[kai1 hui4;h]"></typo> | To have a meeting |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="安排会议[an1 pai2 hui4 yi4;h]"></typo> | To schedule a meeting |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="写报告[xie3 bao4 gao4;h]"></typo> | To write a report |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="提交报告[ti2 jiao1 bao4 gao4;h]"></typo> | To submit a report |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="发邮件[fa1 you2 jian4;h]"></typo> | To send an email |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="回复邮件[hui2 fu4 you2 jian4;h]"></typo> | To reply to an email |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="打电话[da3 dian4 hua4;h]"></typo> | To make a phone call |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="接电话[jie1 dian4 hua4;h]"></typo> | To answer the phone |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="加班[jia1 ban1;h]"></typo> | To work overtime (a term you'll hear a lot in China) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="请假[qing3 jia4;h]"></typo> | To take a day off |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="出差[chu1 chai1;h]"></typo> | To go on a business trip |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="做项目[zuo4 xiang4 mu4;h]"></typo> | To work on a project |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="完成[wan2 cheng2;h]"></typo> | To finish / complete |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="交接[jiao1 jie1;h]"></typo> | To hand over work / do a handoff |

----
## Office equipment and supplies vocabulary
You need to know how to talk about the physical stuff in your workspace, especially when something breaks or you need supplies.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="电脑[dian4 nao3;h]"></typo> | Computer |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="笔记本电脑[bi3 ji4 ben3 dian4 nao3;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="笔记本[bi3 ji4 ben3;h]"></typo> | Laptop |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="打印机[da3 yin4 ji1;h]"></typo> | Printer |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="复印机[fu4 yin4 ji1;h]"></typo> | Photocopier |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="办公桌[ban4 gong1 zhuo1;h]"></typo> | Desk |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="椅子[yi3 zi;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="办公椅[ban4 gong1 yi3;h]"></typo> | Chair |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="会议室[hui4 yi4 shi4;h]"></typo> | Meeting room |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="大会议室[da4 hui4 yi4 shi4;h]"></typo> | Conference room |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="办公用品[ban4 gong1 yong4 pin3;h]"></typo> | Office supplies |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="笔[bi3;h]"></typo> | Pen |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="纸[zhi3;h]"></typo> | Paper |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="文件夹[wen2 jian4 jia1;h]"></typo> | File folder |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="订书机[ding4 shu1 ji1;h]"></typo> | Stapler |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="投影仪[tou2 ying3 yi2;h]"></typo> | Projector |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="白板[bai2 ban3;h]"></typo> | Whiteboard |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="U盘[pan2;h]"></typo> | USB drive |

----
## Client and partner interactions in China
Working with clients and business partners requires more formal language than chatting with colleagues. These phrases help you maintain professional relationships.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="客户[ke4 hu4;h]"></typo> | Client / Customer |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="合作伙伴[he2 zuo4 huo3 ban4;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="伙伴[huo3 ban4;h]"></typo> | Business partner |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="合作[he2 zuo4;h]"></typo> | To cooperate / collaborate |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="合同[he2 tong2;h]"></typo> | Contract |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="签合同[qian1 he2 tong2;h]"></typo> | To sign a contract |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="谈判[tan2 pan4;h]"></typo> | Negotiations |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="价格[jia4 ge2;h]"></typo> | Price |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="报价[bao4 jia4;h]"></typo> | Quotation |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="打折[da3 zhe2;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="优惠[you1 hui4;h]"></typo> | To give a discount |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="跟进[gen4 jin4;h]"></typo> | To follow up (with a client) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="维护关系[wei2 hu4 guan1 xi4;h]"></typo> | Maintaining relationships (super important in Chinese business culture) |

When introducing your company, you might say <typo lang="zh" syntax="我[wo3;r]代表[dai4 biao3;n]XX公司[gong1 si1;n]"></typo>, meaning "I represent XX company." 

----
## Business Chinese vocabulary for time management and deadlines
Deadlines drive everything in office work, so you need to talk about time accurately in Chinese.

| Chinese | English |
| - | - |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="截止日期[jie2 zhi3 ri4 qi1;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="期限[qi1 xian4;h]"></typo> | Deadline |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="紧急[jin3 ji2;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="着急[zhao2 ji2;h]"></typo> | Urgent |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="赶[gan3;h]"></typo> | To rush / hurry |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="赶时间[gan3 shi2 jian1;h]"></typo> | Pressed for time |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="按时[an4 shi2;h]"></typo> | On time |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="提前[ti2 qian2;h]"></typo> | In advance / early |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="推迟[tui1 chi2;h]"></typo> | To postpone |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="晚了[wan3 le;h]"></typo> / <typo lang="zh" syntax="迟到[chi2 dao4;h]"></typo> | Late / Running late |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="安排[an1 pai2;h]"></typo> | To arrange / To schedule |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="时间表[shi2 jian1 biao3;h]"></typo> | Schedule / Timetable |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="确认时间[que4 ren4 shi2 jian1;h]"></typo> | To confirm the time |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="进度[jin4 du4;h]"></typo> | Progress / Schedule (for projects) |
| <typo lang="zh" syntax="进度延迟[jin4 du4 yan2 chi2;h]"></typo> | Behind schedule |

----
## Email and written communication in Chinese business culture
Chinese business emails follow specific conventions. Knowing the standard phrases makes your written communication look professional.

**Emails start with a greeting** like <typo lang="zh" syntax="您好[ning2 hao3;h]"></typo> for formal situations or <typo lang="zh" syntax="你好[ni3 hao3;h]"></typo> for colleagues you know well. 

**When addressing someone by title**, use their surname plus title, like <typo lang="zh" syntax="李经理[li3 jing1 li3;h]"></typo> for Manager Li.

**Common opening lines** include <typo lang="zh" syntax="感谢[gan3 xie4;v]您[nin2;zg]的[de5;uj|di4;uj|di2;uj|di1;uj]邮件[you2 jian4;n]"></typo> meaning "thank you for your email," or <typo lang="zh" syntax="收到[shou1 dao4;v]您[nin2;zg]的[de5;uj|di4;uj|di2;uj|di1;uj]邮件[you2 jian4;n]"></typo> meaning "I received your email."

**To attach a file**, say <typo lang="zh" syntax="请查收附件[qing3 cha2 shou1 fu4 jian4;h]"></typo>, which means "please check the attachment." An attachment is <typo lang="zh" syntax="附件[fu4 jian4;h]"></typo>.

**For closing**, <typo lang="zh" syntax="此致敬礼[ci3 zhi4 jing4 li3;h]"></typo> is very formal and traditional, though many people now just use <typo lang="zh" syntax="谢谢[xie4 xie4;h]"></typo> or <typo lang="zh" syntax="祝好[zhu4 hao3;h]"></typo> meaning "best wishes." Your signature is <typo lang="zh" syntax="签名[qian1 ming2;h]"></typo>.

**When forwarding an email**, the term is <typo lang="zh" syntax="转发[zhuan3 fa1;h]"></typo>. CC'ing someone is <typo lang="zh" syntax="抄送[chao1 song4;h]"></typo>, and BCC is <typo lang="zh" syntax="密送[mi4 song4;h]"></typo>.

----
## How to learn office vocabulary in Chinese effectively
Reading lists of vocabulary is one thing, but actually remembering and using these terms requires a different approach. Here's what actually works.

1. Context matters way more than memorization. Instead of drilling individual words, learn them in phrases you'd actually use. For example, don't just memorize <typo lang="zh" syntax="会议[hui4 yi4;n]室[shi4;n|hou4 shi4;n]"></typo> (meeting room), learn the full phrase <typo lang="zh" syntax="会议[hui4 yi4;n]室[shi4;n|hou4 shi4;n]在[zai4;p]哪里[na3 li3;r]"></typo>？(where is the meeting room?) or <typo lang="zh" syntax="会议[hui4 yi4;n]室[shi4;n|hou4 shi4;n]已经[yi3 jing1;d]被[bei4;p]预订[yu4 ding4;v]了[le5;ul|liao3;ul|liao4;ul]"></typo> (the meeting room is already booked).
2. If you're already working in a Chinese environment, pay attention to the language around you. Notice which terms your colleagues use most frequently, and focus on those first. Every office has its own commonly used vocabulary that might differ slightly from textbook examples.
3. Creating your own example sentences based on your actual work situations helps tremendously. If you work in marketing, make sentences about campaigns and client presentations. If you're in finance, focus on budget and reporting vocabulary.
4. Watching [Chinese workplace dramas](https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/best-chinese-shows-for-language-learners) or reality shows set in offices gives you natural exposure to how people actually speak at work. The language in these shows tends to be more authentic than textbook dialogues. You'll hear the casual shortcuts people use, the tone shifts between speaking to bosses versus colleagues, and the flow of workplace conversations.
5. Taking a business Chinese course can provide structure, especially if you're starting from scratch with professional vocabulary. Many language schools in China and online platforms offer courses specifically designed for workplace preparation. These lessons typically cover not just vocabulary but also cultural expectations and communication styles.

If you want to pick up workplace vocabulary naturally, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up Chinese terms instantly while watching office dramas or reading business articles. You can save words directly to your flashcards with full context. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to see how it works.

<img src="https://migaku-cms-assets.migaku.com/Screenshot_2026_04_23_034328_d2edbbfd8d/Screenshot_2026_04_23_034328_d2edbbfd8d.png" width="1920" height="1080" alt="learn chinese language with migaku" />

<prose-button href="/learn-chinese" text="Learn Chinese with Migaku"></prose-button>

----
## Build from the keywords as you encounter new situations
The real learning happens when you're using the language in context, making mistakes, and adjusting. Textbooks and courses give you the foundation, but real workplace exposure, office series, and career reality shows teach you how Chinese professionals actually communicate.

> If you consume media in Chinese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. *Period*.

Your career deserves the time investment.💪