The concept of 'face', known as 面子 (Miànzi) in Chinese culture, revolves around reputation and social standing. It's crucial to understand its importance, including the fear of losing face 丢脸 (Diū liǎn) and the impact of humiliation or losing credit. 'Face' permeates all aspects of Chinese behaviour, influencing social and business interactions deeply. Building relationships takes time and effort—through meetings, banquets, and negotiations—demonstrating respect and acknowledgment, which are central to 'face'.
Unlike Western pride, 'face' is more about public opinion and respect from others. It reflects what others think of you, not just your personal beliefs. Gaining face occurs when one is esteemed by their social group, while causing someone to lose face can be devastating. Confucius highlighted its significance, where public disesteem could lead to drastic measures.
Giving face involves showing respect and acknowledgment, while taboos include public disrespect or dissatisfaction. In Chinese business culture, it's often better to yield like grass in the wind than to confront and cause a loss of face.
Understanding 'face' is essential in navigating Chinese culture, building relationships, and conducting business successfully.
Micro Lesson: Business Chinese Key Words in 2025
Course Duration: 4 Weeks
Target Audience: Business professionals, new international managers of the GPT/AI age, and anyone interested in understanding cultural dynamics and communication in cross-cultural environments.
Week 1: Introduction to Key Business Terms
- Overview:
- Introduction to the course and objectives.
- Importance of business language proficiency in global settings.
- Key Terms:
- 合作 (Hézuò) - Cooperation
- 市场 (Shìchǎng) - Market
- 竞争 (Jìngzhēng) - Competition
- 利润 (Lìrùn) - Profit
- 发展 (Fāzhǎn) - Development
- Activities:
- Vocabulary introduction and pronunciation practice.
- Role-playing scenarios: Negotiating cooperation terms.
- Assignment:
- Weekly quiz on key terms.
- Prepare for role-play exercise in Week 2.
Week 2: Business Negotiation Vocabulary
- Overview:
- Understanding essential negotiation terms and strategies.
- Key Terms:
- 谈判 (Tánpàn) - Negotiation
- 协议 (Xiéyì) - Agreement
- 条件 (Tiáojiàn) - Conditions
- 讨价还价 (Tǎojià huánjià) - Bargaining
- 签约 (Qiānyuē) - Signing a contract
- Activities:
- Role-playing exercises: Negotiating terms and conditions.
- Case study analysis: Negotiation strategies in Chinese business culture.
- Assignment:
- Prepare for role-play exercise in Week 3.
- Reflect on negotiation challenges and strategies.
Week 3: Financial Terms and Concepts
- Overview:
- Introduction to financial terminology and concepts.
- Key Terms:
- 资金 (Zījīn) - Funds/Capital
- 货币 (Huòbì) - Currency
- 数字 (Shùzì) - Numbers
- 千 (Qiān), 百万 (Bǎiwàn), 亿 (Yì) - Thousand, Million, Billion
- 投资 (Tóuzī) - Investment
- Activities:
- Interactive discussion on financial terms and concepts.
- Practical exercises: Converting currencies and understanding investment terms.
- Assignment:
- Prepare for final project: Creating an elevator pitch using financial terms.
Week 4: Marketing and Sales Vocabulary
- Overview:
- Exploring key terms in marketing and sales.
- Key Terms:
- 市场营销 (Shìchǎng yíngxiāo) - Marketing
- 销售 (Xiāoshòu) - Sales
- 广告 (Guǎnggào) - Advertising
- 客户 (Kèhù) - Client/Customer
- 推广 (Tuīguǎng) - Promotion
- Activities:
- Role-playing scenarios: Pitching products and services.
- Case studies: Analyzing successful marketing campaigns in China.
- New! Assignment:
Final Project Preparation: Writing a Business Email
Assignment Overview: For your final project, you will practice writing a professional business email. This task will help you apply the vocabulary and phrases you've learned during the course and demonstrate your understanding of effective communication in a business context.
Assignment Instructions:
Choose a Scenario:
- Scenario A: Inviting a colleague to a meeting to discuss project progress.
- Scenario B: Requesting information from a supplier about product availability.
- Scenario C: Following up with a client after a recent meeting to confirm next steps.
Email Content:
- Greeting: Start with an appropriate greeting for your chosen scenario.
- Introduction: Briefly introduce yourself and the purpose of the email.
- Main Body: Clearly state your request or the reason for the meeting, including any necessary details.
- Closing: Provide a polite closing statement, including a thank you or a call to action.
- Signature: End with a professional signature (e.g., your name, job title, company name).
Word Limit: Aim for a concise email of 50-100 words.
Example: Here is an example for Scenario A:
Subject: Meeting Invitation to Discuss Project Progress
Email Body:
Dear [Colleague's Name],
I hope this message finds you well. I would like to invite you to a meeting next week to discuss our project's progress and next steps. Please let me know your availability.
Looking forward to your response.
Best regards, [Your Name] [Your Job Title] [Your Company Name]
This assignment focuses on practical skills and allows students to practice writing concise and professional business emails, which is an essential skill in any business context.
Course Assessment:
- Weekly Quizzes: Test understanding of each week's content.
- Interactive Workshops: Participation and engagement.
- Final Project: Presentation on a chosen business topic using learned vocabulary.
Supplementary Materials:
- Recommended readings from global business literature.
- Film list for cultural context and deeper understanding.
- Interactive online modules for practical applications.
Examples of topics where you might find news articles related to "Mianzi":
Business Negotiations and "Mianzi": Many news articles discuss how the concept of "Mianzi" influences business negotiations in China. Companies often navigate maintaining "Mianzi" while conducting business deals, which can significantly impact the success of the negotiations.
Public Figures and "Mianzi": News pieces often cover how public figures, such as politicians or celebrities, handle situations that could lead to a loss of "Mianzi". Maintaining "Mianzi" is crucial for these figures as it affects their reputation and public perception.
For specific news articles on these topics, you can search on news websites that cover Asian business culture or Chinese societal issues. Websites like South China Morning Post, China Daily, or The Diplomat frequently cover topics related to cultural norms and business practices in China.
By the end of this course, students will have gained a comprehensive understanding of essential business Chinese vocabulary and concepts, equipping them with valuable skills for cross-cultural communication and business interactions in Chinese-speaking environments. tldr:
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