shēngyi: 生意 - Business, Trade

• Keywords: shengyi, 生意, Chinese word for business, how to say business in Chinese, zuo shengyi, 做生意, shengyi meaning, 生意 meaning, Chinese business culture, business in China, Chinese entrepreneurship, small business in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 生意 (shēngyi), the essential Chinese word for “business” or “trade.” This guide goes beyond a simple translation, exploring the cultural nuances of what it means to “do business” (做生意) in China. Learn how the characters 生 (life) and 意 (meaning) combine to create a concept deeply tied to livelihood, entrepreneurship, and personal relationships, a must-know term for anyone interested in modern Chinese culture and commerce.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shēngyi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The activity of buying and selling goods or services; a business, trade, or transaction.
• In a Nutshell: 生意 (shēngyi) is the lifeblood of commerce in China, representing more than just a formal company. It captures the dynamic, often personal, activity of making a living through trade. Think of the bustling market stall, the family-run restaurant, or the entrepreneur striking a deal. It's the “hustle,” the ongoing process of creating opportunities and generating livelihood.

• 生 (shēng): This character's primary meaning is “life,” “to be born,” or “to grow.” It evokes a sense of vitality, creation, and organic development.
• 意 (yì): This character means “idea,” “meaning,” “intention,” or “will.” It's composed of “sound” (音) over “heart” (心), suggesting a thought or intention that comes from within.
• How they combine: Together, 生意 (shēngyi) literally translates to something like “life's meaning” or “generating intention.” This beautifully captures the essence of business as an activity that creates a livelihood (life) and is driven by an individual's will and ideas (intention). It's not just a sterile transaction; it's a living, breathing endeavor.

In Chinese culture, 生意 (shēngyi) holds a place of immense practical and social importance. It's often seen as a primary path to prosperity and a way to support one's family. The concept is deeply ingrained in the social fabric, celebrated for its pragmatism and resourcefulness. A useful comparison is to the English word “business.” In the West, “business” can often evoke images of large corporations, boardrooms, and stock markets (though it can also mean small-scale trade). 生意, while it can be used for large deals, carries a much stronger connotation of grassroots entrepreneurship and day-to-day commerce. It's the domain of the 老板 (lǎobǎn), or “boss,” who is actively involved in the nitty-gritty of their trade. Doing good 生意 in China is rarely just about the product or price; it is heavily reliant on 关系 (guānxi)—a network of personal relationships and mutual obligations. A deal might be sealed not in an office, but over a meal, where trust is built. Therefore, 生意 is often less about a single, cold transaction and more about fostering a long-term, profitable relationship.

生意 is a high-frequency word used in a wide range of contexts, from casual chats to formal negotiations.

• Doing Business (做生意 - zuò shēngyi): This is the most common collocation. It refers to the act of engaging in commerce. “他是做生意的” (He is a businessman / He's in business).
• Talking Business (谈生意 - tán shēngyi): This refers specifically to negotiating a deal or discussing business matters.
• Inquiring about Business: A very common greeting, especially between acquaintances who own businesses, is “最近生意怎么样？” (zuìjìn shēngyi zěnmeyàng?) - “How's business lately?”
• Wishing Prosperity: A classic blessing for a new or existing venture is “祝你生意兴隆！” (zhù nǐ shēngyi xīnglóng!) - “Wishing you a prosperous business!”

The connotation is generally neutral to positive, reflecting a society that respects and encourages entrepreneurship.

• Example 1:
  • 他爸爸是做生意的。
  • Pinyin: Tā bàba shì zuò shēngyi de.
  • English: His father is a businessman.
  • Analysis: “做生意” is used here as a verb phrase to describe a person's profession. It's a very common and natural way to say someone “is in business.”
• Example 2:
  • 最近我们的生意不太好。
  • Pinyin: Zuìjìn wǒmen de shēngyi bù tài hǎo.
  • English: Our business hasn't been very good lately.
  • Analysis: Here, 生意 is a noun representing the state or performance of the business. This is a typical way to express how well or poorly a business is doing.
• Example 3:
  • 祝你生意兴隆！
  • Pinyin: Zhù nǐ shēngyi xīnglóng!
  • English: Wishing your business prosperity!
  • Analysis: This is a set phrase (a type of Chengyu) used to give good wishes. 兴隆 (xīnglóng) means “prosperous” or “booming.” It's often seen on banners at new store openings.
• Example 4:
  • 我明天要跟一个重要客户谈生意。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān yào gēn yí ge zhòngyào kèhù tán shēngyi.
  • English: I have to talk business with an important client tomorrow.
  • Analysis: 谈生意 (tán shēngyi) specifically means to negotiate or discuss a business deal. It emphasizes the communication and negotiation aspect of commerce.
• Example 5:
  • 他年纪轻轻，生意就做得很大。
  • Pinyin: Tā niánjì qīngqīng, shēngyi jiù zuò de hěn dà.
  • English: He's very young, but his business is already very successful (literally, “he does business very big”).
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how 生意 can be modified with complements. “做得很大” (done very big) is a common way to describe a successful and large-scale business operation.
• Example 6:
  • 这笔生意我们赚了五万块。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bǐ shēngyi wǒmen zhuàn le wǔ wàn kuài.
  • English: We earned 50,000 yuan from this deal.
  • Analysis: The measure word for 生意 when referring to a specific deal or transaction is 笔 (bǐ). This highlights its use for discrete events as well as the general activity.
• Example 7:
  • 在网上做生意，信誉是最重要的。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǎngshàng zuò shēngyi, xìnyù shì zuì zhòngyào de.
  • English: When doing business online, reputation is the most important thing.
  • Analysis: This example demonstrates the modern application of the term to e-commerce, showing its versatility.
• Example 8:
  • 他靠卖水果的生意养活了一家人。
  • Pinyin: Tā kào mài shuǐguǒ de shēngyi yǎnghuo le yì jiā rén.
  • English: He supported his entire family through his fruit-selling business.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the cultural core of 生意 as a means of “livelihood” (养活 - yǎnghuo).
• Example 9:
  • 他们的生意遍布全国。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de shēngyi biànbù quánguó.
  • English: Their business extends all over the country.
  • Analysis: This shows that 生意 isn't limited to small-scale operations; it can also describe a large commercial network.
• Example 10:
  • 我们是多年的生意伙伴。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shì duō nián de shēngyi huǒbàn.
  • English: We have been business partners for many years.
  • Analysis: Here, 生意 acts as an adjective to modify “partner” (伙伴 - huǒbàn), clarifying the nature of the partnership.

A key mistake for English speakers is confusing 生意 (shēngyi) with 公司 (gōngsī).

• 生意 (shēngyi) is the *activity* or *state* of doing business. It's abstract, dynamic, and focused on commerce itself.
• 公司 (gōngsī) is the *entity*. It's the legally registered company, the firm, the corporation with an office and employees.

Incorrect: 我开了一个新生意。 (Wǒ kāi le yí ge xīn shēngyi.) Correct: 我开了一家新公司。 (Wǒ kāi le yì jiā xīn gōngsī.) → “I opened a new company.” Correct: 我开始做新生意了。 (Wǒ kāishǐ zuò xīn shēngyi le.) → “I started a new business (activity).” Think of it this way: a 公司 (gōngsī) is a container, and the 生意 (shēngyi) is what happens inside and around that container. You “do” (做) 生意, but you “open” (开) a 公司. Another point of confusion can be with 商业 (shāngyè).

• 生意 (shēngyi): Everyday business, trade, a deal. More hands-on and practical.
• 商业 (shāngyè): Commerce, the business world, industry. More formal and abstract. You might study 商业 at a university (e.g., a “business school” is a 商学院 - shāngxuéyuàn), but you “do” 生意 on the street.

• 公司 (gōngsī) - A company or corporation. The legal entity that conducts business.
• 商业 (shāngyè) - Commerce; the business sector as a whole. A more formal and macro-level term.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - The boss, owner, or proprietor. The person who runs the 生意.
• 做买卖 (zuò mǎimài) - A colloquial synonym for `做生意`, literally “to do buying and selling.”
• 客户 (kèhù) - Client or customer. A crucial party in any 生意.
• 赚钱 (zhuànqián) - To earn money. The primary objective of doing 生意.
• 交易 (jiāoyì) - A single transaction or deal. A 生意 is often made up of many `交易`.
• 企业 (qǐyè) - An enterprise. A formal term often used for larger businesses or corporations.
• 关系 (guānxi) - Relationships, connections. A key cultural concept essential for successful 生意 in China.
• 合伙人 (héhuǒrén) - A business partner. Someone you do 生意 with.