Planning to build your career in China?
Whether you work in tech, finance, education, or international business, one thing is certain:Your Mandarin skills can play a big role in your professional success.
You don’t need perfect Chinese.
But knowing the right business-focused phrases instantly shows respect, cultural understanding, and professionalism — all highly valued in Chinese workplaces.
Below is a practical set of Business Mandarin expressions expats use every day. Simple, useful, and immediately applicable to real work situations.
1. Start Strong with Professional Greetings
First impressions matter in Chinese business culture. A polite greeting sets a positive tone for collaboration.
Hěn gāo xìng rèn shi nǐ.
很高兴认识你。
Nice to meet you.
Xiè xie nǐ de shí jiān.
谢谢你的时间。
Thank you for your time.
Bào qiàn gěi nǐ dài lái má fan.
抱歉给你带来麻烦。
Sorry for the inconvenience.
Why it matters:
Politeness is deeply valued. The right greeting helps you build trust from the start.
2. Communication & Collaboration: Build Strong Work Relationships
In China, trust (信任, xìn rèn) and relationship-building (关系, guān xì) form the foundation of effective teamwork.
Wǒ men yī qǐ pèi hé.
我们一起配合。
Let‘s work together on this.
Wǒ hěn kuài gěi nǐ huí fù.
我很快给你回复。
I will get back to you soon.
Nǐ zěn me kàn?
你怎么看？
What do you think?
Wǒ míng bai.
我明白。
I understand.
Why it matters:
Clear communication and humility go a long way in Chinese business environments.
3. Speak Confidently in Meetings
Meetings often require clarity, structure, and good listening skills. These phrases help you participate confidently.
Wǒ men kāi shǐ kāi huì ba.
我们开始开会吧。
Let‘s start the meeting.
Qǐng tí yì jiàn.
请提意见。
Please share your feedback.
Kě yǐ duō jiǎng yī diǎn ma?
可以多讲一点吗？
Can you explain more?
Zhè hěn zhòng yào.
这很重要。
This is very important.
4. Office Essentials: Daily “Survival“ Phrases
Useful for emails, updates, office chat, and daily workflow.
Wǒ jīn tiān huì wán chéng.
我今天会完成。
I will finish it today.
Méi wèn tí.
没问题。
No problem.
Qǐng děng yī xià.
请等一下。
Please wait a moment.
Wǒ xū yào gèng duō shí jiān.
我需要更多时间。
I need more time.
5. After-Work Socializing: Where Real Connections Happen
Many professional relationships in China deepen after work — during dinner, tea, or drinks.
Gān bēi!
干杯！
Cheers!
Hěn hǎo chī.
很好吃。
It tastes great.
Xiè xie nǐ de yāo qǐng.
谢谢你的邀请。
Thank you for inviting me.
Why it matters:
Chinese business culture prioritizes relationship-building.
Being comfortable in after-work settings makes you part of the circle.
Mandarin Isn‘t Just a Language Skill — It‘s Your Career Advantage
Working in China means navigating cross-cultural communication every day.
Even basic Mandarin helps you:
- Build trust faster
- Communicate clearly with colleagues
- Avoid misunderstandings
- Blend naturally into workplace culture
- Stand out as a global professional
And the good news?
You don‘t need to be fluent to make a strong impression — you just need the right phrases and the confidence to use them.
Want to Become More Confident Speaking Mandarin at Work?
If you feel that learning Business Mandarin could help you grow professionally,
eChineseLearning offers personalized 1-on-1 lessons designed for expats and professionals.
Simple, practical, and always tailored to your real work scenarios.
Quick Quiz: Do You Know This Common Mandarin Office Phrase?When a colleague says:“Nǐ máng ma?”（你忙吗？）What does it really mean?
A) Are you too busy to help me?
B) Are you currently working on something?
C) A soft, polite way to start a conversation — like “Hey, got a minute?”
👉 Think you know? Tell us your answer in the comments!
The correct answer is C.
“Nǐ máng ma?”（你忙吗？）Literally means “Are you busy?”, but in workplace Mandarin, it’s most often used as a polite conversation opener, similar to:
👉 “Hey, do you have a minute?”
👉 “Got a sec?”
It doesn’t necessarily ask about your schedule — it’s simply a gentle way to start a request or conversation.