Chinese Workplace & Office Phrases — Essential Expressions for Professional Settings

Start the workday with 早上好 (zǎo shang hǎo) or the casual 早 (zǎo). When you arrive at the office, say 我到了 (wǒ dào le) — I've arrived. Common greeting exchanges: 吃了吗 (chī le ma) is a friendly "have you eaten?" — reply with 吃了 (chī le) or 还没 (hái méi) — not yet. For Monday mornings, colleagues often ask 周末过得怎么样 (zhōu mò guò de zěn me yàng) — how was your weekend. Reply with 挺好的 (tǐng hǎo de) — pretty good, or 还行 (hái xíng) — so-so.

Small talk topics: weather is a safe start — 今天真热 (jīn tiān zhēn rè) for "it's really hot today" or 下雨了 (xià yǔ le) for "it's raining." Ask about workload: 最近忙不忙 (zuì jìn máng bù máng) — busy lately? For leaving the office, say 我先走了 (wǒ xiān zǒu le) — I'm heading out first. Reply with 辛苦了 (xīn kǔ le) — an appreciative "you've worked hard," which is a standard workplace courtesy in China.

When scheduling a meeting, say 我们什么时候开会 (wǒ men shén me shí hou kāi huì) — when shall we meet. To propose a time: 明天上午十点可以吗 (míng tiān shàng wǔ shí diǎn kě yǐ ma) — is tomorrow 10am okay. At the start of a meeting, the organizer says 我们开始吧 (wǒ men kāi shǐ ba) — let's begin. If you need to present, say 我来汇报一下 (wǒ lái huì bào yī xià) — let me give an update.

During discussions: to agree, say 我同意 (wǒ tóng yì) — I agree, or 有道理 (yǒu dào lǐ) — that makes sense. To politely disagree: 我有不同的看法 (wǒ yǒu bù tóng de kàn fǎ) — I have a different view. Ask for clarification: 你能再说一遍吗 (nǐ néng zài shuō yī biàn ma) — can you say that again, or 什么意思 (shén me yì si) — what does that mean. To wrap up a meeting: 那我们就这么定了 (nà wǒ men jiù zhè me dìng le) — so we'll go with this plan. Key meeting vocabulary: 议程 (yì chéng) — agenda, 讨论 (tǎo lùn) — discuss, 决定 (jué dìng) — decide, 下一步 (xià yī bù) — next step.

Work emails in Chinese follow a formal structure. Open with 尊敬的 (zūn jìng de) for very formal or just 你好 (nǐ hǎo) for standard business. State the purpose: 关于...的事 (guān yú ... de shì) — regarding the matter of... To attach files, say 请查收附件 (qǐng chá shōu fù jiàn) — please find the attachment. Close with 谢谢 (xiè xiè) or the more formal 此致敬礼 (cǐ zhì jìng lǐ).

On WeChat for work, messages are more casual. Start with 在吗 (zài ma) — are you there, but many people prefer getting straight to the point. Common work WeChat phrases: 收到 (shōu dào) — received/noted (a very common work reply), 好的 (hǎo de) — okay/got it, 马上 (mǎ shàng) — right away. To ask if someone is free: 你现在方便吗 (nǐ xiàn zài fāng biàn ma) — are you available now. If something is urgent: 这个比较急 (zhè gè bǐ jiào jí) — this is somewhat urgent. When asking for a document or file, say 麻烦发我一下 (má fan fā wǒ yī xià) — please send it to me (politely).

To ask for leave, use 请假 (qǐng jià). Say 我想请假一天 (wǒ xiǎng qǐng jià yī tiān) — I'd like to take one day off. Specify the reason: 家里有点事 (jiā lǐ yǒu diǎn shì) — something at home (a common general reason), or 身体不舒服 (shēn tǐ bù shū fu) — not feeling well. For sick leave specifically: 请病假 (qǐng bìng jià).

Describe symptoms to your manager: 我发烧了 (wǒ fā shāo le) — I have a fever, 头疼 (tóu téng) — headache, 感冒了 (gǎn mào le) — caught a cold. Say 今天可能来不了了 (jīn tiān kě néng lái bù liǎo le) — I probably can't come in today. For annual leave, it's 年假 (nián jià). Ask 我想请年假 (wǒ xiǎng qǐng nián jià) — I'd like to use annual leave. When you return, colleagues will say 好了吗 (hǎo le ma) — all better now? Reply with 好了 (hǎo le) — yes, or 好多了 (hǎo duō le) — much better.

When you need help from a colleague, start with 麻烦你一下 (má fan nǐ yī xià) — sorry to trouble you (polite opener). Then ask: 这个怎么做 (zhè gè zěn me zuò) — how do I do this, or 我不太明白 (wǒ bù tài míng bai) — I don't quite understand. To ask someone to check your work: 帮我看一下 (bāng wǒ kàn yī xià) — take a look at this for me.

When your manager gives you unclear instructions, ask: 具体怎么做 (jù tǐ zěn me zuò) — how exactly should I do it, or 有没有参考 (yǒu méi yǒu cān kǎo) — is there a reference. Confirm the deadline: 什么时候要 (shén me shí hou yào) — when is it needed. When you finish a task: 做完了 (zuò wán le) — done. Ask what's next: 还有什么要做的 (hái yǒu shén me yào zuò de) — anything else to do. To report a problem: 有个问题 (yǒu gè wèn tí) — there's a problem. To say you're on it: 我在处理 (wǒ zài chǔ lǐ) — I'm working on it.