Business Chinese and Chinese Culture Lecture Notes

Vocabulary flashcards covering business Chinese, job interviews, resumes, business cards, corporate scheduling, Chinese geography, and foundational Chinese history and culture.

Jiǎnlì (简历)

A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume outlining personal information, academic qualifications, employment history, and professional skills.

Bìyè (毕业)

To graduate or complete a designated academic degree or course of study at an educational institution.

Běnkē (本科)

Undergraduate education leading to a bachelor's degree.

Shuòshì (硕士)

Postgraduate education leading to a master's degree.

HSK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǎoshì / 汉语水平考试)

A standardized Chinese proficiency exam evaluating listening, reading, and writing competencies for non-native speakers.

HSKK (Hànyǔ Shuǐpíng Kǒuyǔ Kǎoshì / 汉语水平口语考试)

A standardized oral proficiency test specifically assessing spoken Chinese ability.

BCT (Shāngwù Hànyǔ Kǎoshì / 商务汉语考试)

The Business Chinese Test, designed to evaluate communicative proficiency in international commercial and business environments.

Míngpiàn (名片)

A business card containing professional contact details and job titles, traditionally exchanged using both hands while expressing thanks in business etiquette.

Rùzhí Shǒuxù (入职手续)

Onboarding or employment admission procedures processed when a new hire joins an enterprise.

Gōngguānbù (公关部)

The Public Relations department of a company, responsible for external communications, liaising with corporate partners, and organizing formal events.

Xiāoshòuliàng (销售量)

Sales volume, representing the total amount or quantity of goods and services sold over a given period.

Zhīmíngdù (知名度)

Brand awareness, visibility, or public reputation of an enterprise or product in the market.

Rìchéngbiǎo (日程表)

A formal itinerary, agenda, or activity program presented in chronological order.

Zhǎnxiāohuì (展销会)

A trade exhibition or trade fair organized to introduce, display, and sell specific commercial products.

Shìchǎng Diàochá (市场调查)

Market research or market survey conducted to analyze customer demands, competitors, and potential sales trends.

Cānguān (参观)

To formally visit and tour physical facilities such as companies, workshops, or factories.

Yóulǎn (游览)

To go sightseeing or tour scenic and cultural attractions for recreation and leisure.

Chángjiāng (长江)

The Yangtze River, the longest river in China and the third longest in the world, running from west to east into the Pacific Ocean.

Huánghé (黄河)

The Yellow River, China's second-longest river, named for carrying massive amounts of yellow sediment from the Loess Plateau.

Sānxiá Dàbà (三峡大坝)

The Three Gorges Dam, the world's largest hydroelectric power station, situated on the Yangtze River.

Jīng-Háng Dà Yùnhé (京杭大运河)

The Grand Canal of China, the world's earliest and longest artificial canal, crucial for north-south waterway transportation.

Huángtǔ Gāoyuán (黄土高原)

The Loess Plateau in northern China, famed for yellow earth erosion that yellows the Yellow River, and traditional earth cave dwellings (窑洞).

Jīnsīhóu (金丝猴)

The golden snub-nosed monkey, one of China's most celebrated native wildlife species alongside the giant panda.

Zǒngbù (总部)

Corporate headquarters or the primary executive office of a company.

Chǎnpǐn Yánfābù (产品研发部)

The Product Research and Development (R&D) department responsible for designing, testing, and developing new products.

Wùliúbù (物流部)

The logistics department tasked with organizing supply chains, storage, transport, and freight distribution.

Shòuhòu Fúwùbù (售后服务部)

The after-sales service department dedicated to handling customer support, repairs, and post-purchase issues.

Zhǔdǎ Chǎnpǐn (主打产品)

The flagship, featured, or core product line that an enterprise primarily promotes in the market.

Shāngwù Yànhuì (商务宴会)

A formal business banquet (lunch or dinner) held at high-end restaurants to facilitate corporate partnerships, contract negotiations, and mutual respect.

Jìngjiǔ (敬酒)

To propose a toast to colleagues or clients in Chinese banquet culture to strengthen professional rapport and celebrate success.

Yāoqǐnghán (邀请函)

A formal letter of invitation sent to partner representatives to attend banquets, anniversaries, or inauguration ceremonies.

Pǔtōnghuà (普通话)

Standard Mandarin Chinese, the common official spoken language across the People's Republic of China.

Yánhuáng Zǐsūn (炎黄子孙)

A term meaning 'Descendants of Yan and Huang,' used by Chinese people to trace their cultural and historical heritage back to the legendary emperors Yandi and Huangdi.

Pángǔ (盘古)

The primordial creator figure in Chinese mythology who separated heaven from earth from inside a dark cosmic egg.

Nǚwā (女娲)

The mythological mother goddess who created humanity using yellow clay and taught people how to perpetuate generations.

Jiǎgǔwén (甲骨文)

Oracle Bone Script, the oldest known Chinese writing system, carved on turtle plastrons and animal bones over three thousand years ago.

Kǒngzǐ (孔子)

Confucius (551–479 BCE), an ancient Chinese thinker and educator who advocated benevolence (仁, Rén) and ritual propriety (礼, Lǐ).

Lǎozǐ (老子)

Laozi (571–471 BCE), the foundational Daoist philosopher who championed the doctrine of non-action (无为, Wúwéi) and opposed war.

Sūnzǐ Bīngfǎ (《孙子兵法》)

"The Art of War", the renowned ancient Chinese military strategy treatise composed by Sun Tzu and translated into numerous world languages.