Meaning and Usage
"生意" primarily means "business" or "trade" in everyday Chinese. It refers to commercial activities, buying and selling, or the general operation of a business.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "生意" when talking about running a shop, trading goods, or any commercial enterprise. It can describe the business itself or the act of doing business.
Collocations and Patterns
- 做生意 (zuò shēngyi): to do business, to trade
- 生意好 (shēngyi hǎo): business is good
- 生意不好 (shēngyi bù hǎo): business is bad
These phrases are very common in daily conversation and business contexts.
Nuances
When using "生意," speakers imply practical, often small to medium scale commercial activity. It is less formal than words like "商务" (business affairs) and more about the actual trading or selling process.
Common Confusion
Do not confuse "生意" with "生活" (life, living). "生意" is about business, while "生活" refers to daily life or lifestyle.