6 Tips to Learn Chinese for Work Successfully

Need to learn Chinese quickly for your new job?

Learning Chinese will undoubtedly help you improve your general communication, but not in a business environment. So if you just learn general Chinese, you won’t be able to apply much of it to your real-life situations at work. 

Get ready to see how you can learn Chinese for work.

Why learn Chinese for work?

Chinese people use different phrases, business expressions, and words in an office setting with all the technical terms included. In fact, this is the same as almost every other language. Think about it. 

Would you use the same vocabulary and language with your professional colleagues or boss that you do with your circle of friends? Or would you likely speak more formally and technically? 

Let’s check out the best tips to develop your vocabulary for work quickly! 

How to learn Chinese for work effectively? 

Tip 1. Read bilingual newspapers

This may sound like an old-fashioned method, but it never fails to be effective. Normally, news articles are written in a professional and formal manner, so you can easily pick up common phrases used for business. 

A bilingual news website will be more practical if you’re new to the language. For example, here are some Chinese-English newspaper links for you to use: 

• VOA bilingual news in Chinese and English 双语新闻

• New York Times on China 纽约时报中文网 (click “中英对照” for the bilingual version of the article you want to read)

• Chairman’s Bao

Suppose your native language is not English, and there isn’t any available bilingual news source between your language and Chinese. In that case, you can use Google Translate to translate a Chinese business article roughly, and there you go—a bilingual piece of news!

Tip 2. Watch Chinese business drama

While watching Chinese drama is unrealistic at times, needless to say, they will use Chinese business terms and office-related dialogues that are used in real-life work scenarios.

These TV series give nuances specific to a professional setting such as negotiations, client meetings, and workplace discussions.

Additionally, since the setting is in a business context, you will see all the Chinese business etiquette and business culture such as titles, business cards, greeting, seat orders, and saving face.

So yeah, watch some Chinese business TV dramas along with your studying!

Tip 3. Buy a business Chinese language course 

Rather than going to a normal Chinese class, you should study a course specifically designed for a working or business environment. 

You will learn through more suitable topics of conversation like introducing yourself in a business meeting or making work complaints. The only downside of this approach is that it’s pretty costly. 

You may want to watch some free clips on the Internet before buying a course. For example, here are some free and useful teaching videos about business Chinese:

Here are a couple more videos for you

• Learn Chinese Business Language in 25 Minutes!

• Business Chinese workshop | 60 words & phrases

Tip 4. Join Online Business Forums.

Joining online Chinese business forums allows you to get some insights and ask questions about anything related to the Chinese business world.

By using Chinese forums, you can read specific business-related topics, participate in discussions, ask questions, get feedback, build relationships, and stay connected with current trends, news, and updates. 

Here are some online Chinese business forums for you to check out:

• London Business School China Business Forum

• Chinese Business Forum Trade Show Event

• r/ChinaBiz

Tip 5. Attend Business Networking Events: 

Being able to use your Chinese skills to crucial for effective business communication. These events give you an opportunity to immerse yourself in business conversations and networks.

Networking allows you to connect with people in the same industry as you and put yourself out there to connect with others. Be sure to prepare to introduce yourself in Chinese, resumes, and business cards to hand out. 

Once the event is over, be sure to reach out to follow to show your appreciation and grab any offers that were presented to you.

Bonus: learn Chinese for work with flashcards 

There are plenty of Chinese work and Chinese business flashcards available. Quizlet and Anki have users create their own Mandarin flashcard deck for others to use.

But if you don’t want to create your own or want a better Chinese flashcard learning system, then use Pandanese!

Pandanese can help you learn Chinese vocabulary for business, school, or travel. They combine already-made Chinese mnemonics and SRS to have you effectively learn more difficult Chinese words rather than presenting you with easier ones.

Frequently asked questions

Will learning Chinese help me get a job?

Learning Chinese for work can help get more job opportunities either in Chinese or in English. This is especially useful in industries such as international business, trade, or diplomacy. Thus, being bilingual will set you apart from other candidates and open up opportunities.

Is it good to learn Chinese for business?

Yes. Learning Chinese for business is a great decision if that is in your industry. China is one of the world’s largest economies and is a key player in international trade. So speaking Chinese will help you build stronger business relationships in the Chinese-speaking world.

What is the best Chinese language to learn for business?

Mandarin Chinese is the most spoken language in the world, compared to other Chinese languages such as Cantonese or Shanghainese. As such, if you want to do business in China, then Mandarin is the one to go with for business interactions. But other dialects will set you out from the rest of the competition.

How can I learn professional Chinese?

To learn professional Chinese, consider taking specialized business courses or programs. These classes will focus on business-specific vocabulary, etiquette, and communication skills. You can also immerse yourself in Chinese business culture through reading, watching business-related content, and networking at events.

Final thoughts

Mastering to learn Chinese for work can be difficult when compared to learning causal Chinese. However, it is a strategic investment for anyone looking to do business or work in China.

Remember, learning Chinese for business isn't about just vocabulary and grammar, but also business culture and etiquette.

Best of luck on your linguistic journey!