经商

• Pinyin: jīng shāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 经 = to manage, engage in; 商 = business, commerce, merchant

Meaning

To engage in business; to be in commerce. The act of doing business or being a merchant.

Refers to running a business or engaging in commercial activities as a profession. Can imply both legitimate business and sometimes carries historical connotations of merchant class. More formal than 做生意.

Examples

1. 他辞去公务员工作，下海经商。 He resigned from his government job and went into business.
2. 她出身于经商世家，从小耳濡目染。 She comes from a family of merchants and was influenced from a young age.
3. 在古代，士农工商四个阶层中，经商者地位最低。 In ancient times, among the four classes of scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants, those in business had the lowest status.

Usage Guide

Context: career, business, history

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 下海经商。(Leave one's job to go into business.)
• 经商多年。(Been in business for many years.)

Don't Say

• 经商一个东西 for single transactions (Don't use 经商 for individual sales — use 卖 or 交易; 经商 refers to being in business as a profession)

Origin & History

Composed of 经 (to manage; engage in) + 商 (business; commerce). Together meaning to engage in commerce.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal