业务

• Pinyin: yè wù
• Hanzi breakdown: 业 = industry/occupation; 务 = 夂 (go) + 力 (strength), affairs/duties

Meaning

Business; professional work; operations. The activities and transactions of a company or profession.

Refers to the core operational activities of an organization or one's professional expertise. Can mean business dealings, professional duties, or one's area of work. Common in corporate contexts: 业务范围 (scope of business), 业务能力 (professional competence), 拓展业务 (expand business).

Examples

1. 他负责公司的海外业务拓展工作。 He is responsible for the company's overseas business expansion.
2. 新员工需要花时间熟悉公司的各项业务。 New employees need time to familiarize themselves with the company's various operations.
3. 这家律师事务所的主要业务是知识产权保护。 This law firm's main business is intellectual property protection.

Usage Guide

Context: business, workplace, professional

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 他的业务能力很强。(He has strong professional skills.)
• 我们正在开展新业务。(We are launching new business operations.)

Don't Say

• 我今天有很多业务要做 (For daily tasks, use 工作 or 事情 — 业务 is for business operations, not personal tasks)

Origin & History

Compound of 业 (occupation, industry) and 务 (affairs, duties). Together they refer to occupational affairs or business matters.

Cultural Context

Generation: Working adults

Social background: Professional