Name: Prep Education
Address: 114 LAVENDER STREET, #11-83 CT HUB 2, SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE, 338729, SG
Telephone: +84931428899
Price range: 250 SGD

When it comes to building real-world fluency, memorizing business Chinese terms from a list is not enough—you need to understand how to use them in conversations that matter. Whether you're emailing a client, reporting to a manager, or collaborating with a team, having the right words at the right moment is critical. This article introduces 120 essential business Chinese vocabulary words that reflect how Mandarin is spoken in modern professional settings. Beyond the word list itself, you'll also learn proven methods to internalize vocabulary more effectively, from spaced repetition tools to contextual learning techniques. These strategies will help you transition from passive recognition to confident, daily communication in Chinese.

I. Business Chinese Vocabulary System for Workplace Communication
II. Common Business Chinese Vocabulary for Every Occasion
III. How to Learn and Remember Business Chinese Vocabulary Efficiently
IV. Conclusion

120 Business Chinese Vocabulary for Emails, Deals, and Meetings

I. Business Chinese Vocabulary System for Workplace Communication

Building a strong working knowledge of business Chinese vocabulary is essential if you plan to work with Chinese clients, navigate a professional environment in China, or use Mandarin in business settings. Unlike general vocabulary, business Chinese follows more specific structures, formal tones, and purpose-driven expressions across speaking and writing.

To communicate professionally, you’ll need to understand both industry terms and conversational office language. From office titles and meeting expressions to polite agreement phrases and email terminology, Mandarin business vocabulary spans multiple categories. It forms a foundational part of Chinese for business communication, whether you're negotiating, reporting, presenting, networking, or sending official emails.

No.	Business Chinese Vocabulary	Pinyin	English meaning
Machines, facilities & workplace equipment
1	办公室	bàngōngshì	Office
2	计划	jìhuà	Plan, schedule
3	证件	zhèngjiàn	Documents, papers (ID/documents)
4	文件夹	wénjiàn jiā	Folder
5	电脑	diànnǎo	Computer
6	储存卡	chúcún kǎ	Memory card
Positions & job titles
7	老板	lǎobǎn	Boss, employer
8	秘书	mìshū	Secretary
9	人员	rényuán	Staff, personnel, employee(s)
Office activities
10	上班	shàngbān	Go to work / start work
11	下班	xiàbān	Get off work / finish work
12	考勤	kǎoqín	Attendance tracking / timekeeping
13	工作	gōngzuò	Work
14	面试	miànshì	Interview
15	出差	chūchāi	Business trip
16	对待	duìdài	Treat (someone), deal with
17	参加	cānjiā	Join, participate
18	辞职	cízhí	Resign
19	克服	kèfú	Overcome
20	请假	qǐngjià	Request leave / take time off
21	约会	yuēhuì	Appointment / date
22	出席	chūxí	Attend (a meeting/event)
23	分配	fēnpèi	Assign, allocate (tasks)
24	设计	shèjì	Design
25	联欢会	liánhuān huì	Party / social gathering
26	检测	jiǎncè	Check, test, inspect
27	换班	huànbān	Switch shifts
28	轮班	lúnbān	Shift rotation
29	值班	zhíbān	Be on duty / duty shift
30	退休	tuìxiū	Retire
31	帮忙	bāngmáng	Help out
32	复印	fùyìn	Photocopy
33	打印	dǎyìn	Print
34	讨论	tǎolùn	Discuss
35	推迟	tuīchí	Postpone, delay
36	存	cún	Save / store
37	积累	jīlěi	Accumulate, build up
38	发送邮件	fāsòng yóujiàn	Send an email
39	午休	wǔxiū	Lunch break / midday break
40	病假	bìng jià	Sick leave
41	解雇	jiěgù	Fire / dismiss (an employee)
42	预付款	yùfù kuǎn	Salary advance / advance payment
43	提交	tíjiāo	Submit
Work attitude
44	关心	guānxīn	Care about / show concern
45	性格	xìnggé	Personality
46	合群	héqún	Sociable, fit in well
47	急躁	jízào	Impatient, hot-tempered
48	关照	guānzhào	Take care of / look after
49	抱歉	bàoqiàn	Sorry / apology
50	心情	xīnqíng	Mood, feelings
Other vocabulary
51	同事	tóngshì	Colleague
52	任务	rènwù	Task, mission
53	公报	gōngbào	Bulletin / announcement
54	行事历	xíngshì lì	Work calendar / schedule
55	吃惊	chījīng	Be surprised / shocked
56	趁	chèn	Take advantage of (the chance/time)
57	经验	jīngyàn	Experience
58	丰富	fēngfù	Rich, abundant
59	问题	wèntí	Problem, issue, question
60	压力	yālì	Pressure, stress
61	死机	sǐjī	Computer crash / freeze
62	奖金	jiǎngjīn	Bonus

II. Common Business Chinese Vocabulary for Every Occasion

1. Talking with Your Boss or Supervisor

In Mandarin-speaking work environments, respect and formality shape how you speak to a superior. Honorific language, indirect phrasing, and clarity without abruptness are key. Here are a few must-know examples:

Business Chinese Vocabulary	Pinyin	English meaning
Employee speaking to a leader/manager
周经理，您好!	Zhōu jīnglǐ, nín hǎo!	Hello, Manager Zhou!
张厂长，您好！	Zhāng chǎng zhǎng, nín hǎo!	Hello, Factory Director Zhang!
老板，早上好！	Lǎobǎn, zǎoshang hǎo!	Good morning, boss!
我要向领导报告一下。	Wǒ yào xiàng lǐngdǎo bàogào yīxià.	I’d like to report to the leader/manager for a moment.
周经理，很抱歉，我今天不能上班。家里没有人照看孩子。	Zhōu jīnglǐ, hěn bàoqiàn, wǒ jīntiān bùnéng shàngbān. Jiālǐ méiyǒu rén zhàokàn háizi.	Manager Zhou, I’m very sorry. I can’t go to work today. There’s no one at home to take care of the kids.
老板，很抱歉。明天我没办法早来。	Lǎobǎn, hěn bàoqiàn. Míngtiān wǒ méi bànfǎ zǎolái.	Boss, I’m very sorry. I can’t come early tomorrow.
老板，不好意思，我迟到了，今天堵车堵得很厉害。	Lǎobǎn, bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ chídàole, jīntiān dǔchē dǔ dé hěn lìhài.	Sorry, boss. I’m late—traffic was really heavy today.
Leader/manager speaking to employees
小王，你可以帮我把这份文件交给周经理吗？	Xiǎo Wáng, nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ bǎ zhè fèn wénjiàn jiāo gěi Zhōu jīnglǐ ma?	Xiao Wang, could you help me deliver this document to Manager Zhou?
明明，你能来一下办公室吗？	Míngmíng, nǐ néng lái yīxià bàngōngshì ma?	Mingming, can you come to the office for a moment?
大家作完报告就发到我的邮箱。	Dà jiā zuò wán bào gào jiù fā dào wǒ de yóu xiāng.	Once everyone finishes the report, please send it to my email.
大家向我报告工作吧。	Dà jiā xiàng wǒ bàogào gōngzuò ba.	Everyone, report your work to me.
大家提出建议吧。	Dàjiā tíchū jiànyì ba.	Everyone, please give your suggestions.
请给我一杯茶。	Qǐng gěi wǒ yībēi chá.	Please bring me a cup of tea.
我宣布会议开始。	Wǒ xuānbù huìyì kāishǐ.	I hereby announce the meeting has begun.
开会了，大家请安静，关上电话。	Kāihuì le, dàjiā qǐng ānjìng, guānshàng diànhuà.	The meeting is starting. Everyone please be quiet and turn off your phones.
小青，你能给我复印这份文件吗？	Xiǎo Qīng, nǐ néng gěi wǒ fùyìn zhè fèn wénjiàn ma?	Xiao Qing, can you photocopy this document for me?
你帮我做一下投资计划，明天我要出差了，所以你快点给我。	Nǐ bāng wǒ zuò yīxià tóuzī jìhuà, míngtiān wǒ yào chūchāile, suǒyǐ nǐ kuài diǎn gěi wǒ.	Help me prepare an investment plan. I’m going on a business trip tomorrow, so please finish it quickly and give it to me.

Use business Chinese vocabulary like these with a respectful tone and report-focused intent. It's essential to communicate clearly without sounding overly casual or vague when speaking to managers in Chinese companies.

2. Talking with Colleagues

Colleague interactions in Chinese workplaces are professional but more relaxed than hierarchy-based communication. Still, they usually remain polite and supportive.

Business Chinese Vocabulary	Pinyin	English meaning
太累了！最近总是加班。	Tài lèi le! Zuìjìn zǒng shì jiābān.	I’m so tired! I’ve been working overtime all the time recently.
这份工作比以前的工作好多了。	Zhè fèn gōngzuò bǐ yǐqián de gōngzuò hǎoduōle.	This job is much better than my previous job.
王凤到分公司一趟再来上班。	Wángfèng dào fēn gōngsī yī tàng zàilái shàngbān.	Wang Feng will go to the branch office first, then come to work.
我和老板一起去韩国出差。	Wǒ hé lǎobǎn yīqǐ qù Hánguó chūchāi.	I’m going on a business trip to Korea with the boss.
我们公司打卡上班。所以迟到一分钟也会罚款。	Wǒmen gōngsī dǎkǎ shàng bān. Suǒyǐ, chídào yī fēn zhōng yě huì fákuǎn.	Our company uses a time card system, so even being one minute late will result in a fine.
小林，社长正在等你呢。	Xiǎolín, shè zhǎng zhèngzài děng nǐ ne.	Xiao Lin, the president/general manager is waiting for you.
该下班了。	Gāi xiàbānle.	It’s time to get off work.
王管理，今天我要做什么？	Wáng guǎnlǐ, jīntiān wǒ yào zuò shénme?	Manager Wang, what do I need to do today?
小红，我的工作计划获得老板的批准了。太好了！	Xiǎo Hóng, wǒ de gōngzuò jìhuà huòdé lǎobǎn de pīzhǔnle. Tài hǎole!	Xiao Hong, my work plan has been approved by the boss. That’s great!
会议几点开始?	Huìyì jǐ diǎn kāishǐ?	What time does the meeting start?
会议几点结束?	Huìyì jǐ diǎn jiéshù?	What time does the meeting end?
下午几点开会?	Xiàwǔ jǐ diǎn kāihuì?	What time is the meeting this afternoon?
李明，你最近工作顺利吗?	Lǐ Míng, nǐ zuìjìn gōngzuò shùnlì ma?	Li Ming, has work been going smoothly for you lately?
你在哪个部门工作?	Nǐ zài nǎ gè bùmén gōngzuò?	Which department do you work in?
最近总是加班, 累死我了！	Zuìjìn zǒng shì jiābān, lèi sǐ wǒ le!	I’ve been working overtime lately—I'm exhausted!
我要复印一些东西, 请问复印机在哪里?	Wǒ yào fùyìn yīxiē dōngxi, qǐngwèn fùyìnjī zài nǎlǐ?	I need to photocopy some things. Where is the photocopier?
复印机卡纸了你帮我看一下!	Fùyìnjī kǎ zhǐle nǐ bāng wǒ kàn yīxià!	The photocopier is jammed. Can you help me take a look?
我的电脑出问题了, 你能不能过来帮我看一下?	Wǒ de diànnǎo chū wèntí le, nǐ néng bù néng guòlái bāng wǒ kàn yīxià?	My computer has a problem. Could you come over and help me check it?
文件打不开, 你过来看看怎么回事?	Wénjiàn dǎ bù kāi, nǐ guò lái kànkàn zěnme huíshì?	The file won’t open. Can you come and see what’s going on?

Colleague-level communication focuses on clarity, teamwork, and maintaining harmony — crucial values in a Chinese business context.

3. Other Frequently Used Professional Expressions

Outside of boss-staff dynamics and peer conversation, you’ll regularly hear high-frequency formal phrases of business Chinese vocabulary. These often appear in emails, presentations, and service exchanges.

Business Chinese Vocabulary	Pinyin	English meaning
Requesting leave
下周六我想请假, 可以吗?	Xià zhōu liù wǒ xiǎng qǐngjià, kěyǐ ma?	I’d like to take leave next Saturday. Is that okay?
老板，您可以让我请一天假吗？我有家事。	Lǎobǎn, nín kěyǐ ràng wǒ qǐng yītiān jià ma? Wǒ yǒu jiāshì.	Boss, could you allow me to take one day off? I have a family matter to deal with.
管理，我可以请几天假吗?	Guǎnlǐ, wǒ kěyǐ qǐng jǐ tiān jiǎ ma?	Manager, may I take a few days off?
明经理，我身体不舒服，我今天想请假。	Míng jīnglǐ, wǒ shēntǐ bú shūfu, wǒ jīntiān xiǎng qǐngjià.	Manager Ming, I don’t feel well. I’d like to take today off.
王经理，我儿子生病了，所以我想请三天假。	Wáng jīnglǐ, wǒ érzi shēngbìngle, suǒyǐ wǒ xiǎng qǐng sān tiān jiǎ.	Manager Wang, my son is sick, so I’d like to take three days off.
Asking to come in late
老板，请允许我今天要晚三十分钟。	Lǎobǎn, qǐng yǔnxǔ wǒ jīntiān yào wǎn sānshí fēnzhōng.	Boss, please allow me to arrive 30 minutes late today.
管理，我晚点来可以吗？我只会晚一个小时。	Guǎnlǐ, wǒ wǎndiǎn lái kěyǐ ma? Wǒ zhǐ huì wǎn yīgè xiǎoshí.	Manager, can I come a bit late? I’ll only be one hour late.
请允许我来晚一个小时来好吗？	Qǐng yǔnxǔ wǒ lái wǎn yí gè xiǎoshí lái hǎo ma?	Could you allow me to arrive one hour late?
老板，不知道我明天可不可以稍微晚一点来?	Lǎobǎn, bù zhīdào wǒ míngtiān kěbù kěyǐ shāowéi wǎn yīdiǎn lái?	Boss, would it be possible for me to come in a little late tomorrow?
Asking to leave early
我家里有一件急事, 我早点走可以吗？	Wǒ jiāli yǒu yī jiàn jíshì, wǒ zǎodiǎn zǒu kěyǐ ma?	I have an urgent matter at home. May I leave a bit early?
我肚子疼得厉害。我今天早点下班可以吗？	Wǒ dùzi téng dé lìhài. Wǒ jīntiān zǎodiǎn xiàbān kěyǐ ma?	My stomach hurts badly. Can I leave work early today?
我觉得身体不好。我想我应该休息一下。我今天早点回家可以吗？	Wǒ juéde shēntǐ bù hǎo. Wǒ xiǎng wǒ yīnggāi xiūxí yīxià. Wǒ jīntiān zǎodiǎn huí jiā kěyǐ ma?	I’m not feeling well. I think I should rest for a while. May I go home early today?
Resignation / quitting a job
我一直在努力，但我觉得我做不好这份工作。	Wǒ yīzhí zài nǔlì, dàn wǒ juédé wǒ zuò bù hǎo zhè fèn gōngzuò.	I’ve been trying my best, but I feel I can’t do this job well anymore.
我很喜欢和你一起工作。但是，出于个人原因，我不能继续在这里工作了。	Wǒ hěn xǐhuān hé nǐ yīqǐ gōngzuò. Dànshì, chūyú gèrén yuányīn, wǒ bùnéng jìxù zài zhèlǐ gōngzuòle.	I really enjoy working with you. However, for personal reasons, I can’t continue working here anymore.
我辞职是因为我想尝试一些不同的东西。	Wǒ cízhí shì yīnwèi wǒ xiǎng chángshì yīxiē bùtóng de dōngxi.	I’m resigning because I want to try something different.

By mastering these versatile expressions, you will be able to write professional emails in Chinese, navigate client meetings, and handle formal exchanges confidently.

III. How to Learn and Remember Business Chinese Vocabulary Efficiently

To master business Chinese vocabulary, memorizing word lists isn’t enough. You need to build habits that help you recall, apply, and adapt vocabulary in real workplace conversations. Below are methods that combine structure, repetition, and context—ideal for long-term fluency development.

1. Learn in Real Contexts, Not Isolation: Instead of studying vocabulary in isolation, connect each word to a real-world work situation. For example, use 会议 (huìyì) while scheduling meetings or say 汇报 (huìbào) when sharing your task updates. Context-driven learning helps you remember meaning, tone, and structure.

2. Use Spaced Repetition Systems (SRS) to Reinforce Memory: Apps like Anki, Quizlet, or Pleco allow you to review words at expanded time intervals. Choose or build decks that focus on business Chinese words, and include example sentences and audio for pronunciation. The consistent process of recall and review improves retention and builds long-term fluency.

3. Keep a Digital or Physical Vocabulary Journal: Write down new terms you encounter while reading company emails, watching business videos, or speaking with colleagues. Organize your notes by topic (meetings, finance, HR) and regularly test yourself. Writing things down is one of the most reliable ways to move passive vocabulary into active recall.

IV. Conclusion

Learning business Chinese vocabulary is one of the most high-impact investments you can make in your career if you work in or with the Chinese-speaking world. The phrases and words outlined in this guide are not academic extras — they’re essential tools for building clear, respectful, and effective communication.

Start by mastering phrases in context: when talking to your manager, coordinating with coworkers, or writing formal emails. Use curated resources like professional dialogue books and PDF vocab guides to stay consistent. Whether you're preparing for negotiations, navigating meetings, or building up your Mandarin business vocabulary one expression at a time, fluency in workplace Chinese is completely within your reach.