zuòshēngyi: 做生意 - To Do Business, To Run a Business

Keywords: zuo shengyi, 做生意, do business in Chinese, how to say run a business in Chinese, Chinese for business, Chinese commerce, 做买卖, Chinese entrepreneurship, HSK 3 vocabulary.

Summary: “做生意” (zuò shēngyi) is the essential Chinese phrase for the act of “doing business” or “running a business.” It's a versatile term that covers everything from a small street vendor's trade to the operations of a large corporation. More than just a single transaction, it implies the ongoing process of engaging in commerce, managing an enterprise, and navigating the crucial social relationships that underpin business success in China. Understanding “做生意” is a key step for anyone interested in Chinese commerce or culture.

Pinyin (with tone marks): zuò shēngyi

Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase

HSK Level: HSK 3

Concise Definition: To engage in commercial activities; to run or operate a business.

In a Nutshell: “做生意” is the most common and practical way to say you are involved in business. Think of it as the active, hands-on process. If someone's profession is to buy, sell, or provide a service for profit, they “做生意”. It's less abstract than the English “commerce” and more grounded in the day-to-day reality of making a living through trade.

做 (zuò): “To do” or “to make”. This is the action component of the phrase. It's one of the most fundamental verbs in Chinese, indicating an activity.

生 (shēng): “Life,” “to be born,” or “to generate.” In this context, it relates to livelihood and the generation of value.

意 (yì): “Idea,” “meaning,” or “intention.” When combined with 生, 生意 (shēngyi) means “business.”

How they combine: The word for business, 生意 (shēngyi), can be thought of as the “business of life” or “generating an idea/intention” for trade. Adding the verb 做 (zuò) in front turns the noun “business” into the action “to do business.”

“做生意” is deeply woven into the fabric of Chinese society. For centuries, from the Silk Road merchants to the modern-day tech giants, the spirit of entrepreneurship has been a powerful force. The act of “做生意” is often seen as a practical, respectable, and primary way to improve one's financial standing and provide for one's family.

Comparison to Western “Networking”: In the West, “running a business” involves “networking.” In China, “做生意” is inextricably linked to the concept of 关系 (guānxi). While networking can sometimes be transactional, `关系` implies a deeper, long-term web of mutual obligation, trust, and favor. A successful businessperson in China doesn't just have a good product; they are skilled at building and maintaining strong `关系`. A deal might be sealed not just on its financial merits, but on the strength of the relationship between the two parties. This means that dinners, gift-giving, and showing respect (面子 (miànzi), “face”) are not just pleasantries—they are integral parts of the process of “做生意”.

Versatility: The term is used for any scale of commercial activity. The owner of a tiny noodle shop and the CEO of a multinational corporation both “做生意”.

In Conversation: It's a very common and neutral term. Asking someone “你家是做什么生意的？” (Nǐ jiā shì zuò shénme shēngyi de? - What kind of business is your family in?) is a standard way to inquire about their profession or family background.

False Friend: “To Do Business”: An English speaker might say, “I'm flying to Shanghai to do business,” meaning they have a few meetings. Using “我去上海做生意” (Wǒ qù Shànghǎi zuò shēngyi) in Chinese can imply a much more permanent intention, like you're moving there to open up shop. For a short business trip, it's better to say `我去上海出差` (Wǒ qù Shànghǎi chūchāi - I'm going to Shanghai on a business trip) or `我去上海谈生意` (Wǒ qù Shànghǎi tán shēngyi - I'm going to Shanghai to negotiate business).

`谈生意 (tán shēngyi)` - To negotiate business; to talk business. This is a specific part of the “做生意” process.

`做买卖 (zuò mǎimai)` - To buy and sell; to trade. Very similar to `做生意`, but can feel slightly more colloquial and focused on the direct act of trading goods.

`创业 (chuàngyè)` - To start a business; to be an entrepreneur. This term has a more modern, “start-up” feel and emphasizes the creation of a new enterprise.

`商人 (shāngrén)` - Businessman; merchant. The noun for the person who does `做生意`.

`老板 (lǎobǎn)` - Boss; owner. The person in charge of the business.

`客户 (kèhù)` - Client; customer. The people you `做生意` with.

`企业 (qǐyè)` - Enterprise; company. The formal, official term for a business entity.

`关系 (guānxi)` - Connections; relationships. The network of personal connections that is fundamentally important to successfully `做生意` in China.

`盈利 (yínglì)` - To make a profit; profit (noun). The ultimate financial goal of `做生意`.

`市场 (shìchǎng)` - Market. The environment where `做生意` takes place.