In Chinese business culture, idioms (成语, chéng yǔ) are not only commonly used but also serve as powerful tools for conveying ideas, principles, and even strategies. Understanding these idioms can give you insight into Chinese business practices and help you communicate more effectively in a professional setting. Here’s a look at some of the top Chinese business idioms and tips on how to use them in your conversations.
1. 开拓进取 (kāi tuò jìn qǔ) – “Exploring and Advancing”
- 开 (kāi) = to open, to explore
- 拓 (tuò) = to expand
- 进 (jìn) = to advance
- 取 (qǔ) = to seek
Literal meaning: Opening up new paths and advancing.
How to Use:
This idiom emphasizes proactive exploration and the continuous pursuit of new opportunities, often used to describe business expansion or innovation.
Example:
Tā men yī zhí kāi tuò jìn qǔ, xún zhǎo xīn de shì chǎng.
他们一直开拓进取，寻找新的市场。
They are always exploring and advancing, seeking new markets.
2. 群策群力 (qún cè qún lì) – “Collaborating as a team”
- 群 (qún) = group, crowd
- 策 (cè) = strategy, plan
- 力 (lì) = strength
- 群 (qún) = group, crowd
Literal meaning: Collective strategy and effort.
How to Use:
This idiom describes teamwork and collective effort, emphasizing the importance of pooling knowledge and strength to achieve a goal.
Example:
Wǒmen zhè ge xiàngmù yīnggāi yī zhí cǎiqǔ qúncè qúnlì de fāngshì, bǎo zhèng suǒyǒu rén de jiàzhí.
我们这个项目应该一直采取群策群力的方式，保证所有人的价值。
Our project should always adopt a team-based approach, ensuring the value of everyone involved.
3. 稳扎稳打 (wěn zhā wěn dǎ) – “Steady progress”
- 稳 (wěn) = stable, steady
- 扎 (zhā) = to plant, to establish
- 打 (dǎ) = to strike, to hit
Literal meaning: Steadily plant, steadily strike.
How to use:
This idiom emphasizes a cautious, steady approach toward a goal, often used in business or personal development to suggest avoiding rash or hasty decisions.
Example:
Wǒ men de cè lüè shì wěn zhā wěn dǎ, zhú bù kuò dà shì chǎng fèn é.
我们的策略是稳扎稳打，逐步扩大市场份额。
Our strategy is to make steady progress, gradually expanding our market share.
4. 见机行事 (jiàn jī xíng shì) – “Act according to the situation”
- 见 (jiàn) = to see, to observe
- 机 (jī) = opportunity, situation
- 行 (xíng) = to act, to move
- 事 (shì) = matter, affair
Literal meaning: Observe the opportunity and act accordingly.
How to use:
This idiom suggests being flexible and adapting your actions based on the changing circumstances or environment.
Example:
Zài jī liè de jìng zhēng huán jìng zhōng, wǒ men xū yào líng huó yìng duì, jiàn jī xíng shì.
在激烈的竞争环境中，我们需要灵活应对，见机行事。
In a highly competitive environment, we need to stay flexible and act according to the situation.
5. 大展宏图 (dà zhǎn hóng tú) – “To unfold grand plans”
- 大 (dà) = great, big
- 展 (zhǎn) = to unfold, to display
- 宏 (hóng) = grand, magnificent
- 图 (tú) = plan, vision
Literal meaning: To display a grand vision.
How to Use:
This idiom is used to describe someone starting or embarking on a grand, ambitious plan. It conveys a sense of big aspirations and future success.
Example:
Tā zài xīn gǎng wèi zhǔn bèi dà zhǎn hóng tú.
他在新岗位准备大展宏图。
He is ready to unfold grand plans in his new position.
6. 临危不乱 (lín wēi bù luàn) – “Stay calm in the face of danger”
- 临 (lín) = to face, to approach
- 危 (wēi) = danger, crisis
- 不 (bù) = not
- 乱 (luàn) = chaotic, confused, to panic
Literal meaning: Face danger without panic.
How to use:
This idiom describes someone who remains calm and composed in stressful or crisis situations.
Example:
Miàn duì tū rú qí lái de wèn tí, wǒ men tuán duì néng gòu lín wēi bú luàn, xùn sù zhǎo dào jiě jué bàn fǎ.
面对突如其来的问题，我们团队能够临危不乱，迅速找到解决办法。
Facing unexpected issues, our team remained calm and quickly found a solution—truly staying calm in the face of danger.
7. 多管齐下 (duō guǎn qí xià) – “Take multiple approaches”
- 多 (duō) = many
- 管 (guǎn) = pipe, tube (metaphorically, “method” or “approach”)
- 齐 (qí) = together, simultaneously
- 下 (xià) = to go down, to carry out
Literal meaning: Many pipes working together.
How to use:
This idiom suggests using several strategies or methods simultaneously to achieve a goal.
Example:
Wèi le tí gāo wǒ men de xiāo shòu yè jì, wǒ men cǎi yòng le duō guǎn qí xià de cè lüè, bāo kuò xiàn shàng hé xiàn xià yíng xiāo.
为了提高我们的销售业绩，我们采用了多管齐下的策略，包括线上和线下营销。
To improve our sales performance, we implemented a multi-faceted strategy, including both online and offline marketing.
8. 精益求精 (jīng yì qiú jīng) – “Striving for perfection”
- 精 (jīng) = refined, excellent
- 益 (yì) = to benefit, to improve
- 求 (qiú) = to seek, to pursue
- 精 (jīng) = perfection, the best
Literal meaning: Refining excellence to perfection.
How to use:
This idiom emphasizes the pursuit of continuous improvement and striving for the highest standard of quality or performance.
Example:
Wǒ men de mù biāo shì jīng yì qiú jīng, bú duàn tí shēng chǎn pǐn zhì liàng, mǎn zú kè hù de xū qiú.
我们的目标是精益求精，不断提升产品质量，满足客户的需求。
Our goal is to strive for perfection, continuously improving product quality to meet customer demands.
9. 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng) – “Self-reliance”
- 自 (zì) = self
- 力 (lì) = strength, effort
- 更 (gēng) = to improve, to make better
- 生 (shēng) = to live, to grow
Literal meaning: Rely on one’s own strength to grow.
How to use:
This idiom stresses independence, self-sufficiency, and the ability to rely on one’s own efforts to solve problems or achieve goals.
Example:
Zài miàn duì kùnnán shí, wǒ men hái shì jiān chí zì lì gēng shēng, jì xù zēng zhǎng.
在面对困难时，我们还是坚持自力更生，继续增长。
In the face of challenges, we remain committed to self-reliance and continue to grow.
10. 互利共赢 (hù lì gòng yíng) – “Win-win”
- 互 (hù) = mutual
- 利 (lì) = benefit
- 共 (gòng) = together, shared
- 赢 (yíng) = win
Literal meaning: Mutual benefit and shared victory.
How to Use:
This idiom emphasizes a mutually beneficial situation where all parties involved win. It is commonly used to describe cooperative relationships.
Example:
Zhè cì hé zuò zhēn de shì hù lì gòng yíng, dá chéng le shuāng fāng gòng tóng de mù biāo.
这次合作真的是互利共赢，达成了双方共同的目标。
This cooperation is truly win-win, achieving both parties’ shared goals.
Mastering Chinese business idioms can greatly enhance your communication skills in the workplace. These idioms not only enrich your language but also provide valuable insights into the cultural values that influence business practices in China. By incorporating these expressions into your professional conversations, you can demonstrate a deeper understanding of Chinese culture, build stronger relationships, and navigate the complexities of Chinese business settings with greater confidence.
If you’re looking to enhance your business Chinese further, eChineseLearning offers personalized lessons tailored to your needs. Sign up for a free trial lesson and start incorporating these idioms into your professional Chinese vocabulary today!
