Do I need to speak Chinese to do business in China?

It is probably one of those questions that each entrepreneur asks themselves in the 21st century. Although the answer is not straightforward, this article will aim to clarify some points and try to help you solve this conundrum.

First of all, it is important to answer a slightly different question: “Is it possible to do business in China with just English?” The answer is yes… to some extent. Nowadays, entrepreneurs from all over the world can benefit from software which can translate speech or text into multiple languages. Although they are not perfect and you will still need a professional lawyer to draft a contract, it is always a useful tool to start a conversation with your future business partners. Furthermore, you do not even have to translate Chinese characters in a separate app and then copy paste your answer anymore. Right now, WeChat, one of the most popular social media apps in China, Chinese equivalent to WhatsApp, offers an option to translate Chinese text into English directly, making the whole experience much more efficient. Additionally, many companies who are dealing with international customers usually have professional staff who speaks English and, in some cases, other foreign languages as well.

Why would learn Chinese then? Although translating software are a great tool which you can use to solve many problems in English, Chinese is still extremely useful when it comes to doing business in China. Here are the three main reasons why you should try to get at least some basic Chinese:

Trust. Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” Especially, this applies in case of English and Chinese in China. Although you can do many things in English, it is when you speak Chinese with your clients or business partners that the real bonds are created.

Costs. Although you can solve many problems in English, you might need a translator to finalise your contracts or even do some basic research. Many websites, apps and other resources are still available in Chinese language only. By knowing basic Chinese, you will be able to cut some costs and solve simple problems on your own without employing someone else for this task.

Networking. More and more young people in China speak English, which makes it possible to meet future business partners without even saying a single word in Chinese. However, it is not always the case. Some people in China might not have been exposed to English enough to be fluent with it or they might not find it useful on a daily basis. Therefore, meeting new friends and business partners would be much easier even if you can manage some basic Chinese to impress your Chinese partners with your curiosity and openness.

How should I learn Chinese then? There are many different online resources available nowadays to help you with start your journey. One of the most efficient ways to learn and practise Chinese would be by joining OKE Club where you can talk with fellow entrepreneurs regarding business matters. Many of them are looking forward to expanding their businesses in the UK and China which provides a great opportunity for you to learn the language while meeting future business partners and colleagues. Join our community now and let us learn and improve together:

https://www.okeclub.com