Negotiating in Chinese: 10 Must-Know Phrases for Global Entrepreneurs

Doing business in Chinese culture requires more than just a good product—it requires building a good relationship. Even if your Chinese isn’t fluent, learning Chinese business phrases can show respect, builds rapport, and can open more doors. Whether you’re leading a meeting or reviewing a contract, here are 10 essential phrases in business Chinese language every entrepreneur should know.

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1. 很高興認識您 / 很高兴认识您

(hěn gāo xìng rèn shì nín)

“Nice to meet you.”
Use this polite greeting to show respect and start the conversation warmly.

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2. 我們可以合作嗎? / 我们可以合作吗？

(wǒ men kě yǐ hé zuò ma)

“Can we collaborate?”
Use this when opening discussions about potential partnerships.

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3. 請提供報價 / 请给我报价

(qǐng tí gōng bào jià / qǐng gěi wǒ bào jià)

“Please give me a quotation.”
Essential for price discussions during the early stages of negotiation.

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4. 我們需要考慮一下 / 我们需要考虑一下

(wǒ men xū yào kǎo lǜ yí xià)

“We need to think about it.”
A polite way to pause or delay a decision without saying “no” directly.

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5. 價格還有空間嗎? / 价格能再谈谈吗？

(jià gé hái yǒu kōng jiān ma / jià gé néng zài tán tán ma)

“Can we discuss the price further?”
A culturally sensitive way to ask for a better deal during negotiations.

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6. 我們達成共識了 / 我们达成共识了

(wǒ men dá chéng gòng shì le)

“We’ve reached a consensus.”
Use this when confirming a mutual agreement.

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7. 請確認合約條款 / 请确认合同条款

(qǐng què rèn hé yuē tiáo kuǎn / qǐng què rèn hé tóng tiáo kuǎn)

“Please confirm the contract terms.”
Helpful when reviewing written agreements or legal documents.

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8. 付款方式是什麼? /付款方式是什么？

(fù kuǎn fāng shì shì shén me?)

“What is the payment method?”
Use this when discussing final payment details.

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9. 我們期待長期配合 / 我们期待长期合作

(wǒ men qí dài cháng qí pèi hé/ wǒ men qí dài cháng qí hé zuò)

“We look forward to long-term cooperation.”
Shows your intent to build a lasting partnership—not just a one-time deal.

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10. 謝謝您的時間 / 谢谢您的时间

(xiè xie nín de shí jiān)

“Thank you for your time.”
Always end conversations or meetings with gratitude and professionalism.

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Learning Chinese for negotiations doesn’t mean being fluent—it means knowing the right words at the right moment. By mastering these essential Chinese business phrases, you’ll build trust faster and stand out as a culturally aware professional. The next time you sit at the table, let your Mandarin skills work in your favor.