业务

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yèwù: 业务 - Business, Service, Professional Work

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: yewu, 业务, Chinese for business, business operations, professional service, what is yewu, yewu meaning, Chinese business vocabulary, bànlǐ yèwù, 业务范围
  • Summary: A cornerstone of Chinese business vocabulary, 业务 (yèwù) refers to the specific professional work, services, or core operations of a company or an individual. More precise than the English “business,” `yèwù` describes the actual *function* or *scope of activities*—from a bank's financial services to a software company's development projects. Understanding `yèwù` is essential for navigating any professional or service-oriented environment in China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): yèwù
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: A specific area of business, a professional service, or tasks related to one's job.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of `业务` not as the company itself, but as what the company does. It's the “line of work,” the “scope of operations,” or the “professional services offered.” For an individual, it refers to their specific duties and professional responsibilities. If a company is a machine, its `业务` are its specific functions and outputs.

Character Breakdown

  • 业 (yè): This character originally depicted a stand for hanging instruments. It has evolved to mean “occupation,” “profession,” “trade,” or “industry.” It points to a formal field of work.
  • 务 (wù): This character relates to “affairs,” “duties,” or “matters.” It's the same `务` found in `任务 (rènwù)`, meaning “task.”
  • Combined Meaning: The two characters literally combine to mean “professional duties” or “industry affairs.” This perfectly captures the essence of `业务` as the specific tasks and functions within a professional setting.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • `业务` reflects a pragmatic and function-oriented approach to work in Chinese culture. While Western business culture might often focus on abstract branding or “mission statements,” the term `业务` brings the conversation back to the concrete: What do you do? What service do you provide?
  • Contrast with “Business”: In English, “business” is a very broad term. It can mean a company (“I own a business”), a transaction (“We did some business”), or commerce in general (“I'm in the business of selling cars”). `业务` is much more specific. It almost never refers to the company itself (that's `公司 gōngsī`). Instead, it refers to the company's operational scope. For example, a restaurant's `业务` is “catering services” (餐饮服务), not the restaurant itself.
  • This focus on functional competence is crucial. Being “good at your `业务`” (`业务能力强 yèwù nénglì qiáng`) is a high form of praise, indicating practical skill and expertise in one's specific professional domain.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • Corporate and Company Context: This is the most common usage. Companies define their “business scope” (`业务范围 yèwù fànwéi`), discuss their “main business” (`主营业务 zhǔyíng yèwù`), or plan to launch a “new business line” (`新业务 xīn yèwù`).
  • Service Counters (Banks, Telecom, Government): When you approach a service window, the first question you'll likely hear is, “请问您要办理什么业务?” (Qǐngwèn nín yào bànlǐ shénme yèwù?), meaning, “Excuse me, what service would you like to handle?” Here, `业务` refers to any transaction or service offered.
  • Individual Performance: A manager might ask an employee about the progress of their `业务`, referring to their assigned tasks, projects, or sales targets. Someone who is `业务熟练 (yèwù shúliàn)` is “proficient and skilled at their job.”

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们公司的主营业务是软件开发。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de zhǔyíng yèwù shì ruǎnjiàn kāifā.
    • English: Our company's main business is software development.
    • Analysis: Here, `业务` clearly defines the core function or operational focus of the company.
  • Example 2:
    • 您好，请问您要办理什么业务？
    • Pinyin: Nínhǎo, qǐngwèn nín yào bànlǐ shénme yèwù?
    • English: Hello, what service can I help you with?
    • Analysis: This is a standard phrase at any service counter (bank, mobile phone store, etc.). `办理业务 (bànlǐ yèwù)` means “to conduct/handle a service transaction.”
  • Example 3:
    • 为了拓展业务，我们计划在欧洲设立分公司。
    • Pinyin: Wèile tuòzhǎn yèwù, wǒmen jìhuà zài Ōuzhōu shèlì fēngōngsī.
    • English: In order to expand our business (operations), we plan to set up a branch in Europe.
    • Analysis: `拓展业务 (tuòzhǎn yèwù)` means to expand the scope or reach of business operations.
  • Example 4:
    • 小王对公司的各项业务都非常熟悉。
    • Pinyin: Xiǎo Wáng duì gōngsī de gè xiàng yèwù dōu fēicháng shúxī.
    • English: Xiao Wang is very familiar with all of the company's business operations.
    • Analysis: This refers to the different functions and services the company offers, and praises an individual's competence.
  • Example 5:
    • 他这次去北京，主要是为了谈一笔新业务。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhè cì qù Běijīng, zhǔyào shì wèile tán yī bǐ xīn yèwù.
    • English: He's going to Beijing this time mainly to negotiate a new business deal/project.
    • Analysis: In this context, `业务` can refer to a specific project, contract, or deal that falls within the company's line of work.
  • Example 6:
    • 我们公司的业务范围包括咨询、培训和技术支持。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī de yèwù fànwéi bāokuò zīxún, péixùn hé jìshù zhīchí.
    • English: Our company's scope of business includes consulting, training, and technical support.
    • Analysis: `业务范围 (yèwù fànwéi)` is a key set phrase for “business scope.”
  • Example 7:
    • 作为一名销售，他每个月都有业务指标要完成。
    • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng xiāoshòu, tā měi ge yuè dōu yǒu yèwù zhǐbiāo yào wánchéng.
    • English: As a salesperson, he has business targets (sales quotas) to meet every month.
    • Analysis: For salespeople, `业务` is often used as shorthand for their sales performance or quota.
  • Example 8:
    • 这项业务的流程比较复杂，需要耐心一点。
    • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng yèwù de liúchéng bǐjiào fùzá, xūyào nàixīn yīdiǎn.
    • English: The procedure for this service is quite complex, you'll need to be a bit patient.
    • Analysis: Again, shows `业务` used for a specific service or procedure.
  • Example 9:
    • 他因为业务能力突出，很快就升职了。
    • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yèwù nénglì tūchū, hěn kuài jiù shēngzhí le.
    • English: Because his professional skills were outstanding, he was promoted very quickly.
    • Analysis: `业务能力 (yèwù nénglì)` means “professional ability” or “competence in one's job functions.”
  • Example 10:
    • 由于市场变化，公司决定调整其核心业务。
    • Pinyin: Yóuyú shìchǎng biànhuà, gōngsī juédìng tiáozhěng qí héxīn yèwù.
    • English: Due to market changes, the company decided to adjust its core business operations.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates the strategic use of `业务` in corporate planning.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `业务 (yèwù)` vs. `生意 (shēngyi)`: This is a critical distinction for learners.
    • `生意 (shēngyi)`: Refers to a specific deal, trade, or the act of commerce, often on a smaller scale. You `做生意 (zuò shēngyi)` - “do business.” It has a transactional feel. Example: “他家的小饭馆生意很好” (His family's small restaurant does good business).
    • `业务 (yèwù)`: Refers to formal, professional operations or services, usually within a larger company structure. You `办理业务 (bànlǐ yèwù)` - “handle a service.” It has a functional, corporate feel.
    • Mistake: You wouldn't say a street vendor has good `业务`. You'd say they have good `生意`.
  • `业务 (yèwù)` vs. `工作 (gōngzuò)`:
    • `工作 (gōngzuò)`: Means “job” or “work” in a general sense. It's your position of employment. Example: “我的工作是老师” (My job is a teacher).
    • `业务 (yèwù)`: Is the specific content or duties of your `工作`. A teacher's `业务` might include teaching, grading, and parent communication.
    • Mistake: You can't ask someone “What is your `业务`?” to mean “What is your job?”. You must ask “你做什么工作?” (Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?).
  • False Friend Alert: “Business”
    • Do not use `业务` to mean “a company.”
    • Incorrect: 我开了一个新业务。 (Wǒ kāi le yí ge xīn yèwù.)
    • Correct: 我开了一家新公司。 (Wǒ kāi le yī jiā xīn gōngsī.) - I opened a new company.
    • Correct: 我们公司开始了一项新业务。 (Wǒmen gōngsī kāishǐ le yī xiàng xīn yèwù.) - Our company started a new line of business/service.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `公司 (gōngsī)` - Company, corporation. The legal entity that has `业务`.
  • `生意 (shēngyi)` - Business, trade, commerce. A more transactional and often smaller-scale counterpart to `业务`.
  • `工作 (gōngzuò)` - Work, job. The general concept of employment, whereas `业务` refers to the specific duties within that job.
  • `行业 (hángyè)` - Industry. The broad economic sector (e.g., finance, technology) where a company's `业务` is situated.
  • `项目 (xiàngmù)` - Project. A specific, time-bound initiative that is often a key part of a company's `业务`.
  • `任务 (rènwù)` - Task, assignment. A specific action item that contributes to completing one's `业务`.
  • `办理 (bànlǐ)` - To handle, to conduct. A verb very frequently paired with `业务` at service counters.
  • `客户 (kèhù)` - Client, customer. The recipient of the services or products that constitute a company's `业务`.
  • `范围 (fànwéi)` - Scope, range. Often used in the set phrase `业务范围` (business scope).