4 · 40 words

The economy and business

Making, buying and selling, and the words for an economy that grows or shrinks.

Economic Chinese is built from a small stock of characters that return in word after word: 产(chǎn), “to produce”, in 生产(shēngchǎn), 产品(chǎnpǐn) and 国产(guóchǎn). Learn the character and a new word is half known already. Listen closely to 买(mǎi) and 卖(mài), “buy” and “sell”: only the tone tells 买家(mǎijiā), the buyer, from 卖家(màijiā), the seller.

The words

Verb (14)

发展(fāzhǎn)to develop; developmentVerb4

这(zhè)几(jǐ)年(nián)这里(zhèlǐ)发展(fāzhǎn)得(de)很(hěn)快(kuài)，到处(dàochù)都(dōu)是(shì)新(xīn)楼(lóu)。This place has developed fast in recent years; there are new buildings everywhere.

增长(zēngzhǎng)to grow; to increase; growthVerb4

今年(jīnnián)公司(gōngsī)的(de)收入(shōurù)增长(zēngzhǎng)了(le)百分之(bǎifēnzhī)十(shí)。This year the company’s income grew by ten per cent.

上升(shàngshēng)to rise; to go upVerb4

最近(zuìjìn)城市(chéngshì)里(li)的(de)房租(fángzū)不断(búduàn)上升(shàngshēng)。Rents in the city have been rising steadily.

下降(xiàjiàng)to fall; to declineVerb4

这(zhè)个(ge)月(yuè)的(de)电费(diànfèi)比(bǐ)上(shàng)个(ge)月(yuè)下降(xiàjiàng)了(le)不少(bùshǎo)。This month’s electricity bill is a good deal lower than last month’s.

投资(tóuzī)to invest; investmentVerb4

他(tā)用(yòng)自己(zìjǐ)存(cún)的(de)钱(qián)投资(tóuzī)了(le)朋友(péngyou)的(de)饭馆(fànguǎn)。He invested his savings in a friend’s restaurant.

制造(zhìzào)to make; to manufactureVerb4

这(zhè)台(tái)机器(jīqì)是(shì)德国(Déguó)制造(zhìzào)的(de)。This machine was made in Germany.

生产(shēngchǎn)to produce; productionVerb4

这(zhè)家(jiā)工厂(gōngchǎng)主要(zhǔyào)生产(shēngchǎn)自行车(zìxíngchē)。This factory mainly produces bicycles.

消费(xiāofèi)to consume; to spend; consumptionVerb4

年轻人(niánqīngrén)在(zài)旅游(lǚyóu)上(shàng)的(de)消费(xiāofèi)越来越(yuèláiyuè)多(duō)。Young people are spending more and more on travel.

出售(chūshòu)to sell; to offer for saleVerb4

这(zhè)套(tào)房子(fángzi)正在(zhèngzài)出售(chūshòu)。This flat is up for sale.

Written; in speech say 卖(mài).

批发(pīfā)wholesale; to sell wholesaleVerb4

这(zhè)个(ge)市场(shìchǎng)只(zhǐ)批发(pīfā)，不(bù)零售(língshòu)。This market only sells wholesale, not retail.

开张(kāizhāng)to open for businessVerb4

街(jiē)对面(duìmiàn)新(xīn)开张(kāizhāng)了(le)一(yì)家(jiā)面包店(miànbāodiàn)。A new bakery has opened across the street.

倒闭(dǎobì)to close down; to go out of businessVerb4

因为(yīnwèi)客人(kèrén)太(tài)少(shǎo)，那(nà)家(jiā)店(diàn)去年(qùnián)倒闭(dǎobì)了(le)。That shop went out of business last year because it had too few customers.

赚(zhuàn)to earn; to make a profitVerb4

他(tā)开(kāi)饭馆(fànguǎn)第一(dìyī)年(nián)就(jiù)赚(zhuàn)了(le)钱(qián)。He made money in the very first year of running the restaurant.

The opposite is 亏(kuī).

亏(kuī)to lose money; to make a lossVerb4

这(zhè)次(cì)生意(shēngyi)他(tā)亏(kuī)了(le)不少(bùshǎo)钱(qián)。He lost quite a lot of money on this deal.

This list belongs to The economy, business and finance — four lists and 161 words that can also be practised as a whole.

Practise this list

Multiple choice and gaps, drawn from exactly these 40 words. Whatever you get wrong comes back tomorrow.