According to Statista, in 2022 China had a population of approximately 1.41 billion people. With over 17% of the world’s population speaking Mandarin, Yue, Wu, and other Chinese dialects, Chinese speakers represent a significant global marketplace.
Five countries have Chinese as one of their official languages. For international business-people, knowing basic Chinese phrases could mean the difference between winning contracts and losing a sizeable market.
Even when negotiating in English, having a few Chinese phrases up your sleeve could work to ease tensions, boost reliability, and clarify issues. Here are 16 Chinese phrases that could come in handy during negotiations with Chinese and Chinese-speaking people. With this short guide provided by The Negotiation Experts from https://www.negotiations.com/ you will be prepared.
1. “Hello everyone” – 大家好 Dàjiā hǎo
There are many ways you can say “hi” in Chinese. 大家好 is the best option when greeting a group of people. You may also use 你们好 (Nǐmen hǎo), the less formal version for a group greeting. When greeting one person, the most common phrase is 你好 (Nǐ hǎo).
2. “Very pleased to meet you” – 很高兴见到你 Hěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ
Just met a new face at an event such as a business meeting or at a negotiation skills training? Then “Hěn gāoxìng jiàn dào nǐ” is the correct greeting to use. This is a formal way of greeting someone new. You may also say jian dao ni hen gao xing or a simple xìng huì (幸会).
3. “How may I address you?” – 我该如何称呼你？ Wǒ gāi rúhé chēnghu nǐ?
This is the equivalent of asking “what’s your name?” When two strangers meet in a formal setting, the host may ask “我是…，请问我该怎么称呼你呢？” which translates to “I’m …, what should I call you, please?”
4. “Please give an offer” – 请报价 Qǐng bàojià
Test your negotiation skills by first inquiring about the asking price for an item you intend to buy. The English equivalent is “how much is this?”
5. “Your price is too high” – 您的价格太高 Nín de jiàgé tài gāo
Use this phrase when you want to compel a seller to make a lower price offer for what they’re selling. If it’s at the negotiation table, you can say this phrase as you rise up to walk away. If the seller thinks haggling is worth it, they might call you back to tempt you with a price reduction.
6. “Can you make it a bit cheaper?” – 你能便宜一点吗？ Nǐ néng piányí yīdiǎn ma?
When you’re not satisfied with the offer at hand, you can ask for a further discount. A complete phrase would look like 如果我买好几个的话，可以算便宜一点吗？ Which translates to “Will you make it cheaper if I buy more than one?”
7. “Can you offer any discounts please?” – 您能提供任何折扣吗？ Nín néng tígōng rènhé zhékòu ma?
This is a request for a special discount. The phrase is often used after an initial discount has already been granted. For example, say you had already received a discount on the product price and you now want a discount on shipping charges.
8. “This time we want a quantity of (three hundred) more pieces” – 这次我们要多(三百)件 Zhè cì wǒmen yào duō sānbǎi jiàn
When dealing with a familiar seller and you want to increase your order, you can say 这次我们要多三百件 The phrase is used by a return customer making another order.
9. “Should we talk about prices?” – 我们是不是该谈谈价格了？ Wǒmen shì bùshì gāi tán tán jiàgéle?
Have you just had a conversation about the features or benefits of something being sold? Then this phrase signals a beginning of bargaining on price.
10. “Could you include the shipping fee?” – 您能包括运费吗？ Nín néng bāokuò yùnfèi ma?
Is the price quotation missing a few costs? Ask the trader to add shipping fees so you can easily calculate the total buying price.
11. “These two types have their own respective advantages” – 这几种是市场上使用最广的。 Zhè jǐ zhǒng shì shìchǎng shàng shǐyòng zuì guǎng de.
Are you selling to a buyer who seems torn between two choices? It’s important to skillfully present both options to help secure the deal. A formal Chinese negotiation course can boost your ability to sell the benefits of the superior product, and can teach you specific phrases for when your negotiations in Chinese need to be more in-depth.
The phrase “Zhè jǐ zhǒng shì shìchǎng shàng shǐyòng zuì guǎng de” is a useful start for introducing your comparison of two different offers.
12. “It’s okay, forget it, bye” – 没关系，算了，再见 Méiguānxì, suànle, zàijiàn
What do you do when you reach a stalemate? You either bluff, or you politely go your way. This phrase may sound impolite when translated into English, but it’s a saying commonly found when doing business in Chinese.
This phrase can signal that the buyer has given up and can’t negotiate any further. In a different context, the phrase could also signal that the seller isn’t ready to accept a price lower than the last offer.
13. “What are your requirements?” – 你有什么要求 Nǐ yǒu shé me yāoqiú
In English you’d probably ask, “What do I need to qualify?” For instance, if you want to pay for a learning course, you’d likely want to identify the prerequisites before signing up.
14. “Do you have any questions?” – 你有任何问题吗？ Nǐ yǒu rènhé wèntí ma?
A lead negotiator can use this phrase as a signal that the meeting is coming to an end. Maybe the different sides have reached an agreement or have decided to continue discussions later.
15. “Wish us a pleasant cooperation” – 祝我们合作愉快 Zhù wǒmen hézuò yúkuài
For most Chinese people, a sale isn’t just a transaction. A sale signifies the beginning of a partnership. This phrase could act as a reminder about being open to more business collaboration in the future.
16. “Cheers” – 干杯 Gānbēi
Gānbēi literally means to drink your cup dry. However, it doesn’t actually mean you’re compelled to drink your cup in one gulp, so don’t be afraid to take small sips. Don’t confuse with the Japanese toast 献杯 Kenpai, which is reserved for toasting the deceased at funerals.
