商业

• Pinyin: shāng yè
• Hanzi breakdown: 商 = ancient character for commerce and trade; 业 = simplified from 業, originally depicting a wooden rack, later meaning occupation or industry

Meaning

Business; commerce; trade. The sector of economic activity involving buying and selling goods and services.

A formal term for business and commercial activities as a whole. More abstract than 生意 (individual business dealings). Used to discuss the business sector, commercial districts, business models, and the economy. Common collocations: 商业区 (commercial district), 商业模式 (business model), 商业活动 (commercial activities).

Examples

1. 这条街是这个城市最繁华的商业区。 This street is the most bustling commercial district in the city.
2. 他大学毕业后一直从事商业工作。 He has been working in business ever since graduating from university.
3. 现代商业离不开互联网技术。 Modern commerce cannot do without internet technology.

Usage Guide

Context: business, economics, urban planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 商业发展对城市很重要。(Commercial development is very important for a city.)
• 他在商业方面很有经验。(He has a lot of experience in business.)

Don't Say

• 我去商业买东西。(Don't use 商业 as a place to go shopping — use 商场 or 商店. 商业 is an abstract concept, not a physical location.)

Origin & History

商 means commerce or merchant; 业 means industry or profession. Together: the profession or sector of commerce.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal