商务介绍礼仪 Business Etiquette–Business Card Exchanges and Introduction (Beginner)

商务介绍礼仪 (Shāngwù jièshào lǐyí) Business Etiquette–Business Card Exchanges and Introduction

Key Learning Points (Preview):

介绍 (jièshào): v/n. to introduce/introduction

年龄 (niánlíng): n. age

名片 (míngpiàn): n. business card

In China, the first “介绍 (jièshào) introduction” is crucial in business relationships. It is a stepping stone for successful business cooperation.

There are two main principles about the “顺序 (shùnxù) order” you must follow.

One is related to gender.

That is, in China, we usually introduce the men to the ladies before introducing the ladies to the men in order to show “尊敬 (zūnjìng) respect” towards the ladies.

The other principle is related to “年龄 (niánlíng) age” and seniority. We usually introduce the lower positioned people to the higher positioned first in order to show respect towards the latter.

When exchanging your  “名片 (míngpiàn) business card,” you should pass your business card with both hands toward the receiving side. You should also take the other’s business card with both hands.

Key Learning Points:
介绍 (jièshào): v/n. to introduce/introduction

“介 (jiè)” literally means between，and “绍 (shào)” literally means to connect. But in the word “介绍 (jièshào),”  the two characters both mean to introduce.

Qǐng yǔnxǔ wǒ xiàng nín jièshào wǒmen de dǒngshìzhǎng–Chén xiānsheng.
A: 请允许我向您介绍我们的董事长  —  陈先生。
Please allow me to introduce our chairman to you–Mr. Chen.

Nínhǎo, Chén xiānsheng, hěn róngxìng jiàndào nín!
B: 您好，陈先生，很荣幸见到您！
Hello, Mr. Chen, it’s an honor to meet you.

Learn some useful ways for making self-introduction in Chinese
年龄 (niánlíng): n. age

“年 (nián)” literally means year and “龄 (líng)” means age. There are some well-known quotations from The Analects of Confucius regarding “年龄 (niánlíng) age.”

“三十而立 (sānshí érlì)” means “At thirty, a man should have planted his feet firm upon the ground.” “四十不惑 (sìshí bú huò)” means “At forty, a man should no longer suffer from perplexities,” etc.

Example:

Nín de niánlíng bǐ wǒ dà.
您的年龄比我大。
You are older than I.

Learn how to ask someone’s age in Chinese in a polite manner

名片 (míngpiàn): n. business card

“名 (míng)” literally means name and “片 (piàn)” represents the meaning of “卡片 (kǎpiàn) card.”

Example:

Míngpiàn shàng yìn zhe wǒ de qǐyè dìzhǐ hé diànhuà hàomǎ.
名片上印着我的企业地址和电话号码。
My business address and phone number are printed on the business card.

生词(shēngcí) Vocabulary:

顺序 (shùnxù): n.  order

尊敬 (zūnjìng): n/v. respect

Learn more Chinese business etiquette and avoid embarrassing situations and awkward misunderstandings when doing business in China
商务电话礼仪 Business Etiquette—Make a phone call
商务座次礼仪 Seating Arrangement Etiquette
商务问候礼仪 Business Greeting Etiquette

Business Chinese
General Chinese (Beginner Level)
General Chinese (Intermediate Level)