Business Chinese Phrases and Explanations - Part 2

BUSINESS CHINESE

经贸汉语

Part VII

Hills Learning is very happy to introduce you its multi-part series on business Chinese.  A piece of advice for those who are still hesitating whether they should start learning one of the world’s most difficult languages: it is always a good idea to start the learning process as early as possible. Try to focus on both spoken and written parts from the very beginning. For the writing system, English-speaking learners need to be a little patient, knowing that after some initial hardship, a break out moment will eventually arrive, and after that, characters may no longer be as daunting as they first seem.

1)      信息化时代  (xin4xhi1hua4 shi2dai4) –information age

Definition: A period beginning in the last quarter of the 20th century when information became easily accessible through publications and through the manipulation of information by computers and computer networks.

Example: 我们正生活在信息化时代 呢。

Meaning: We are living in the age of information.  

2)      利润最大化 (li4run4 zui4da4hua4) – profit maximization

Definition: The process by which a firm determines the price and output level that returns the greatest profit.

Example:  这家企业最重要的目标总是利润最大化。

Meaning: A profit maximization has always been the main aim for this enterprise.

  3)      打破平衡  (da3po4 ping2heng2) – to upset the balance

Definition:   To break up a state in which opposite forces or influences exist in equal amounts.

Example:新征税政策将打破国家政治体系。

Meaning: A new policy of taxation will upset the balance of the political system of the country.  

4)       亏损 (kui1sun3) – a deficit, a business loss

Definition: The amount by which the cost of a business exceeds its revenue.

Example: 为了免受企业亏损，我们要采取防范措施。

Meaning: In order to avoid the company’s business losses, we must undertake preventive measures.  

5)      供应商 (gong1ying4shang1) – a supplier

Definition: Someone whose business is to supply a particular service or commodity.

Example: 设备必须从公司认可的供应商那里购买。

Meaning: The equipment must be bought from a supplier approved by the company.  

6)       日常应用品 (ri4chang2 ying4yong4pin3) – daily necessities

Definition: Something that you must have in order to live properly or do something (water, food, fuel etc.)

Example: 政府为贫困者提供日常应用品实施了福利制度。

Meaning: The government put in effect a welfare system to provide poor people with the daily necessities.