gōngyìngshāng: 供应商 - Supplier, Vendor

• Keywords: gōngyìngshāng, 供应商, Chinese for supplier, supplier in Chinese, vendor in Chinese, provider, Chinese business terms, supply chain in China, sourcing from China, B2B in China.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese business term gōngyìngshāng (供应商), meaning “supplier” or “vendor”. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in Chinese business relationships, and practical usage. Whether you are sourcing from China, managing a supply chain, or simply learning business Chinese, understanding `供应商` is key to navigating the commercial landscape effectively.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōng yìng shāng
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A business, organization, or individual that provides goods or services to another entity.
• In a Nutshell: `供应商` is the standard, formal term for “supplier” in Chinese. It's a cornerstone of business and supply chain vocabulary. While it translates directly to “supplier,” it often carries an implicit emphasis on the importance of a stable, long-term relationship, which is a key aspect of Chinese business culture. It covers everything from a small parts provider to a multinational corporation that supplies raw materials or finished products.

• 供 (gōng): This character means “to provide,” “to supply,” or “to furnish.” You can think of it as a person (人) offering something with both hands (共).
• 应 (yìng): While this character often means “to respond” or “should,” in this context, it pairs with `供` to form the verb `供应 (gōngyìng)`, which specifically means “to supply” or “to provide.” It reinforces the act of fulfilling a need.
• 商 (shāng): This means “merchant,” “business,” or “commerce.” It clearly places the term in a commercial context. Historically, it is linked to the Shang Dynasty, which was known for its trade and commerce.

Putting them together, `供应商 (gōngyìngshāng)` literally translates to a “provide-supply-merchant,” a very logical and descriptive name for a supplier in a business context.

In Western business, the term “supplier” can often feel purely transactional, focused on contracts, price, and deliverables. While these are also crucial in China, the relationship with a `供应商` is frequently viewed through the cultural lens of `关系 (guānxi)` - long-term, trusted relationships. A Chinese company often seeks to build a partnership with its `供应商`, not just execute a transaction. This means a good `供应商` isn't just the cheapest one, but one that is reliable, flexible, and loyal. The relationship might involve social activities, mutual favors, and a deep level of trust that goes beyond the written contract. For an English speaker doing business in China, understanding this is vital. Treating your `供应商` as a partner rather than just a vendor can lead to better prices, higher quality, and more support when problems arise. Ignoring the relationship-building aspect can be perceived as insincere or purely opportunistic.

`供应商` is a formal and standard term used widely in all business and commercial settings.

• Business & Supply Chain: This is its primary domain. It's used in contracts (合同), procurement (采购), logistics (物流), and manufacturing (制造). For example, a car factory has hundreds of `供应商` for different parts.
• E-commerce: An online store owner on Taobao or Tmall refers to the company they source products from as their `供应商`.
• Service Industry: The term isn't limited to physical goods. A company that provides IT support is an “IT服务供应商” (IT fúwù gōngyìngshāng). A marketing agency can also be considered a `供应商`.
• Formality: It is a neutral to formal term. In very casual conversation, someone might use a more specific word like `厂家 (chǎngjiā)` for a factory, but `供应商` is the correct and professional term.

• Example 1:
  • 我们正在寻找一个新的供应商。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài xúnzhǎo yí ge xīn de gōngyìngshāng.
  • English: We are looking for a new supplier.
  • Analysis: A very common and standard sentence used in a business context. `寻找 (xúnzhǎo)` means “to look for” or “to seek.”
• Example 2:
  • 这家供应商的质量非常可靠。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngyìngshāng de zhìliàng fēicháng kěkào.
  • English: This supplier's quality is very reliable.
  • Analysis: `家 (jiā)` is a measure word for companies and businesses. `可靠 (kěkào)` means reliable or trustworthy, a highly valued trait in a supplier.
• Example 3:
  • 我们必须按时向供应商付款。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū ànshí xiàng gōngyìngshāng fùkuǎn.
  • English: We must pay the supplier on time.
  • Analysis: `按时 (ànshí)` means “on time.” `向 (xiàng)` indicates direction, “to the supplier.” `付款 (fùkuǎn)` is the formal verb for “to make a payment.”
• Example 4:
  • 供应商管理是供应链中重要的一环。
  • Pinyin: Gōngyìngshāng guǎnlǐ shì gōngyìngliàn zhōng zhòngyào de yì huán.
  • English: Supplier management is an important part of the supply chain.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses related vocabulary: `管理 (guǎnlǐ)` for “management” and `供应链 (gōngyìngliàn)` for “supply chain.”
• Example 5:
  • 我们的主要原材料供应商在广东。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de zhǔyào yuáncáiliào gōngyìngshāng zài Guǎngdōng.
  • English: Our main raw material supplier is in Guangdong.
  • Analysis: `原材料 (yuáncáiliào)` means “raw materials.” This shows how `供应商` can be modified to be more specific.
• Example 6:
  • 你能推荐一个本地的软件供应商吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng tuījiàn yí ge běndì de ruǎnjiàn gōngyìngshāng ma?
  • English: Can you recommend a local software provider?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the use of `供应商` for services (`软件` - software), not just physical goods. `推荐 (tuījiàn)` means “to recommend.”
• Example 7:
  • 由于台风，供应商推迟了交货。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú táifēng, gōngyìngshāng tuīchí le jiāohuò.
  • English: Due to the typhoon, the supplier has delayed the delivery.
  • Analysis: `推迟 (tuīchí)` means “to postpone” or “delay.” `交货 (jiāohuò)` means “to deliver goods.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们和这家供应商合作了十年了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen hé zhè jiā gōngyìngshāng hézuò le shí nián le.
  • English: We have been cooperating with this supplier for ten years.
  • Analysis: `合作 (hézuò)` means “to cooperate” or “to work together,” highlighting the relational aspect of dealing with suppliers in China.
• Example 9:
  • 更换供应商是一个重大的决定。
  • Pinyin: Gēnghuàn gōngyìngshāng shì yí ge zhòngdà de juédìng.
  • English: Changing suppliers is a major decision.
  • Analysis: `更换 (gēnghuàn)` means “to change” or “to replace.” `重大 (zhòngdà)` means “major” or “significant.”
• Example 10:
  • 评估供应商的财务状况很重要。
  • Pinyin: Pínggū gōngyìngshāng de cáiwù zhuàngkuàng hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: It is important to evaluate the supplier's financial situation.
  • Analysis: `评估 (pínggū)` means “to evaluate” or “to assess.” `财务状况 (cáiwù zhuàngkuàng)` is “financial status.” This is a key part of due diligence.

• `供应商 (gōngyìngshāng)` vs. `厂商 (chǎngshāng)`: This is a common point of confusion.
  • `供应商` is a broad term for any supplier of goods or services.
  • `厂商 (chǎngshāng)` specifically means “manufacturer” or “factory owner” (`厂` means factory).
  • Rule of Thumb: Every `厂商` is a `供应商`, but not every `供应商` is a `厂商`. A trading company that doesn't produce anything itself but sources from multiple factories is a `供应商`, but not a `厂商`.
• `供应商 (gōngyìngshāng)` vs. `卖家 (màijiā)`:
  • `供应商` is primarily a Business-to-Business (B2B) term. It implies being part of a production or retail supply chain.
  • `卖家 (màijiā)` means “seller” and is a more general, often Business-to-Consumer (B2C), term. The person you buy a phone case from on Taobao is a `卖家`, while the factory that produced the case for them is their `供应商`.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying “我去供应商那里买了一件衣服” (I went to the supplier to buy a piece of clothing) would sound strange. You would say “我去商店 (shāngdiàn)…” or “我跟一个卖家 (mài jiā)…”

• 供应 (gōngyìng) - The verb “to supply” or “provide.”
• 供应链 (gōngyìngliàn) - The “supply chain,” the entire network involved in producing and distributing a product.
• 厂商 (chǎngshāng) - Manufacturer; a specific type of supplier that operates a factory.
• 批发商 (pīfāshāng) - Wholesaler; a supplier that sells in large quantities, usually to retailers.
• 采购 (cǎigòu) - Procurement; the act of purchasing goods or services, typically done by a business from a `供应商`.
• 客户 (kèhù) - Client / Customer; the entity that buys from the `供应商`.
• 合同 (hétong) - Contract; the legal document governing the relationship with a `供应商`.
• 关系 (guānxi) - A key cultural concept of building long-term, trust-based relationships, which is crucial for managing suppliers in China.
• 交货期 (jiāohuòqī) - Delivery lead time; the time from placing an order with a supplier to receiving the goods.