Business Chinese Negotiation Phrases: Reach Better Agreements

01 · Strategy

Negotiation Language Strategies

Phrases are only half of negotiation Chinese. The same sentence can sound cooperative or confrontational depending on the strategy behind it. Four strategies carry most of the work.

Strategy 1: Polite but firm

Chinese negotiation favors a soft tone around a hard position. You signal firmness with words like 原则 (yuánzé — principle), 底线 (dǐxiàn — bottom line), and 难以 (nányǐ — difficult to) rather than with volume or blunt refusals. The message is "this is our position," but the packaging is courteous.

• Chinese: 原则上我们同意，不过价格方面确实有困难。
• Pinyin: Yuánzé shàng wǒmen tóngyì, búguò jiàgé fāngmiàn quèshí yǒu kùnnan.
• English: In principle we agree, but on the price side we do have difficulties.
• Use it for: Holding a position while staying warm. 原则上 ("in principle") accepts the direction; 确实有困难 ("do have difficulties") marks your limit without a flat no.

Strategy 2: Creating options

Instead of trading one number against another, strong negotiators widen the table. Chinese uses 如果...可以... (rúguǒ... kěyǐ... — if... we can...) and 另外 (lìngwài — alternatively) to link a concession to a condition, so every move comes as a package rather than a demand. This gives the other side something to say yes to.

• Chinese: 如果贵方能接受这个价格，我们可以把订单量提高两成。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ guìfāng néng jiēshòu zhège jiàgé, wǒmen kěyǐ bǎ dìngdān liàng tígāo liǎng chéng.
• English: If your side can accept this price, we can raise the order volume by 20%.
• Use it for: Reframing a price standoff as a trade-off. You are not asking for a discount; you are offering volume in exchange for price.

Strategy 3: Building agreement

Negotiation in Chinese is built incrementally. You confirm the points you already share, then narrow what is left. Phrases like 这一点我们没有问题 (zhè yì diǎn wǒmen méiyǒu wèntí — no problem on this point) and 剩下的就是... (shèngxià de jiù shì... — what's left is...) keep momentum and make the final agreement feel like a natural conclusion rather than a surrender.

• Chinese: 交货期和付款方式我们都没有问题，剩下的就是价格了。
• Pinyin: Jiāohuòqī hé fùkuǎn fāngshì wǒmen dōu méiyǒu wèntí, shèngxià de jiù shì jiàgé le.
• English: We have no problem with the delivery time or the payment method; what's left is the price.
• Use it for: Framing progress late in a negotiation. By listing the settled points first, you shrink the disagreement to a single item.

Strategy 4: Face-saving techniques

Face (面子, miànzi) is not vanity — it is the social credit that lets a counterpart agree to something without appearing to have lost. Direct disagreement, public correction, and "no" all cost face. Indirect forms — 我们再研究一下 (wǒmen zài yánjiū yíxià — we'll look into it further), 可能有一点困难 (kěnéng yǒu yìdiǎn kùnnan — there might be a slight difficulty) — let the other side retreat without embarrassment.

• Chinese: 这个方案很好，不过我们可能需要回去再研究一下。
• Pinyin: Zhège fāng'àn hěn hǎo, búguò wǒmen kěnéng xūyào huíqù zài yánjiū yíxià.
• English: This plan is good, though we may need to go back and study it a little more.
• Use it for: Declining or delaying without a hard refusal. Note that 很好 ("very good") comes first — the compliment preserves face, the 不过 ("however") carries the real message.

The takeaway: soft tone, firm position, options instead of demands, and always leave the other side a graceful way to agree.

02 · Phrase bank

40 Negotiation Phrases by Scenario

Below are 40 negotiation phrases, ten for each stage of a deal. Each one includes Chinese characters, pinyin, and English, plus when to use it. Learn a few per stage and you can cover an entire negotiation from first line to signature.

Opening: setting the agenda (1–10)

The opening should name the topics, set a collaborative tone, and make your sincerity clear — without locking you into anything yet.

1. Chinese: 我们来讨论一下价格问题。 - Pinyin: Wǒmen lái tǎolùn yíxià jiàgé wèntí. - English: Let's discuss the price issue. - Use it for: Moving the conversation onto the hard topic you actually came to talk about, framed as a shared task (我们, "we").

2. Chinese: 关于合同条款，我们有一些建议。 - Pinyin: Guānyú hétóng tiáokuǎn, wǒmen yǒu yìxiē jiànyì. - English: Regarding the contract terms, we have some suggestions. - Use it for: Raising contract edits early as contributions rather than complaints.

3. Chinese: 今天希望能就合作细节达成共识。 - Pinyin: Jīntiān xīwàng néng jiù hézuò xìjié dádào gòngshí. - English: I hope today we can reach a consensus on the details of the cooperation. - Use it for: Opening a meeting with a clear, positive goal.

4. Chinese: 感谢贵公司给我们这次洽谈的机会。 - Pinyin: Gǎnxiè guì gōngsī gěi wǒmen zhè cì qiàtán de jīhuì. - English: Thank you to your company for this opportunity to talk. - Use it for: A courteous first line. 贵公司 ("your honorable company") is the standard polite reference to a counterpart's firm.

5. Chinese: 我们的目标是把合作推进到下一步。 - Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì bǎ hézuò tuījìn dào xià yí bù. - English: Our goal is to move the cooperation to the next step. - Use it for: Framing the meeting as forward motion, not a confrontation.

6. Chinese: 先说明一下我方的立场。 - Pinyin: Xiān shuōmíng yíxià wǒfāng de lìchǎng. - English: Let me first explain our position. - Use it for: Signalling that a firm statement is coming, so it is heard as information rather than an attack.

7. Chinese: 我们希望找到一个双方都能接受的方案。 - Pinyin: Wǒmen xīwàng zhǎodào yí gè shuāngfāng dōu néng jiēshòu de fāng'àn. - English: We hope to find a plan that both sides can accept. - Use it for: Establishing a win-win frame before any numbers appear.

8. Chinese: 今天主要想谈谈价格和交期。 - Pinyin: Jīntiān zhǔyào xiǎng tántan jiàgé hé jiāoqī. - English: Today I mainly want to talk about the price and the delivery time. - Use it for: Setting a two-item agenda so the discussion stays bounded.

9. Chinese: 在开始之前，先确认一下彼此的需求。 - Pinyin: Zài kāishǐ zhīqián, xiān quèrèn yíxià bǐcǐ de xūqiú. - English: Before we start, let's confirm each other's needs. - Use it for: Slowing down to align on requirements before bargaining begins.

10. Chinese: 我方对这次合作很有诚意。

    • Pinyin: Wǒfāng duì zhè cì hézuò hěn yǒu chéngyì.
    • English: Our side is very sincere about this cooperation.
    • Use it for: Reassuring a cautious counterpart that you are negotiating in good faith.

Making proposals (11–20)

A proposal lands better when it is offered as a conditional option. Attach a "if you... we can..." structure and the other side can respond without losing face.

11. Chinese: 我们建议……

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiànyì...
    • English: We propose...
    • Use it for: The all-purpose opener for putting a term on the table.

12. Chinese: 能不能考虑……？

    • Pinyin: Néng bù néng kǎolǜ...?
    • English: Could you consider...?
    • Use it for: Proposing something the other side may resist. The question form leaves room to decline.

13. Chinese: 如果价格能下调百分之五，我们可以增加订购量。

    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ jiàgé néng xiàtiáo bǎifēnzhī wǔ, wǒmen kěyǐ zēngjiā dìnggòu liàng.
    • English: If the price can be lowered by 5%, we can increase the order volume.
    • Use it for: The classic volume-for-price trade. Never ask for a discount without offering something back.

14. Chinese: 我们愿意在交期上做一些让步。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen yuànyì zài jiāoqī shàng zuò yìxiē ràngbù.
    • English: We are willing to make some concessions on the delivery time.
    • Use it for: Opening with a concession you can afford, to earn goodwill for the harder asks.

15. Chinese: 我方提议分两批交货。

    • Pinyin: Wǒfāng tíyì fēn liǎng pī jiāohuò.
    • English: We propose delivering in two batches.
    • Use it for: Offering a concrete alternative when a single delivery is impractical.

16. Chinese: 如果采用人民币结算，付款条件可以更灵活。

    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ cǎiyòng rénmínbì jiésuàn, fùkuǎn tiáojiàn kěyǐ gèng línghuó.
    • English: If we settle in RMB, the payment terms can be more flexible.
    • Use it for: Trading currency preference for payment flexibility.

17. Chinese: 我们可以提供三个月的账期。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ tígōng sān gè yuè de zhàngqī.
    • English: We can offer a three-month payment period.
    • Use it for: Putting a specific, checkable number on the table instead of a vague promise.

18. Chinese: 这样安排对双方都有利。

    • Pinyin: Zhèyàng ānpái duì shuāngfāng dōu yǒulì.
    • English: This arrangement benefits both sides.
    • Use it for: Justifying your proposal in terms the other side also cares about.

19. Chinese: 我们希望在原有基础上延长一年的合作。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xīwàng zài yuányǒu jīchǔ shàng yáncháng yì nián de hézuò.
    • English: We hope to extend the cooperation by one year on the existing basis.
    • Use it for: Proposing a longer commitment once the current terms are close.

20. Chinese: 如果我方承担运费，价格能否保持不变？

    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒfāng chéngdān yùnfèi, jiàgé néng fǒu bǎochí búbiàn?
    • English: If we cover the shipping cost, can the price stay unchanged?
    • Use it for: Exploring a trade without conceding your headline price.

Responding: handling pushback (21–30)

These are the lines you need when the other side pushes, when you disagree, and when you want to buy time. Politeness is the delivery vehicle; the firmness is in the substance.

21. Chinese: 这个价格有点高。

    • Pinyin: Zhège jiàgé yǒudiǎn gāo.
    • English: This price is a bit high.
    • Use it for: The polite way to reject a price. 有点 ("a bit") softens it enough to invite a counter-offer.

22. Chinese: 我们需要考虑一下。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào kǎolǜ yíxià.
    • English: We need to consider it.
    • Use it for: Buying time without a yes or a no. Use it sparingly — repeated too often it reads as a soft refusal.

23. Chinese: 这个条件我方难以接受。

    • Pinyin: Zhège tiáojiàn wǒfāng nányǐ jiēshòu.
    • English: This condition is hard for our side to accept.
    • Use it for: A clear refusal that stays formal. 难以 ("hard to") is firmer than 不能 ("cannot") but far less blunt.

24. Chinese: 我理解贵方的顾虑。

    • Pinyin: Wǒ lǐjiě guìfāng de gùlǜ.
    • English: I understand your concerns.
    • Use it for: Acknowledging the other side's position before you push back — cheap goodwill that keeps the temperature down.

25. Chinese: 能不能说明一下这个报价的依据？

    • Pinyin: Néng bù néng shuōmíng yíxià zhège bàojià de yījù?
    • English: Could you explain the basis for this quote?
    • Use it for: Challenging a number by asking for its logic, not by calling it unfair.

26. Chinese: 如果我们各让一步，问题也许能解决。

    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ wǒmen gè ràng yí bù, wèntí yěxǔ néng jiějué.
    • English: If we each give a little, the problem may be solved.
    • Use it for: Inviting a split-the-difference move without stating your number first.

27. Chinese: 这一点与我们的预期还有差距。

    • Pinyin: Zhè yì diǎn yǔ wǒmen de yùqī hái yǒu chājù.
    • English: This point is still some way from our expectations.
    • Use it for: Flagging a gap indirectly. It says "not enough" without saying "no."

28. Chinese: 原则上我们同意，但细节还需要再谈。

    • Pinyin: Yuánzé shàng wǒmen tóngyì, dàn xìjié hái xūyào zài tán.
    • English: In principle we agree, but the details still need further discussion.
    • Use it for: Agreeing in direction while keeping the specifics open.

29. Chinese: 恐怕这个方案超出了我方的预算。

    • Pinyin: Kǒngpà zhège fāng'àn chāochū le wǒfāng de yùsuàn.
    • English: I'm afraid this plan exceeds our budget.
    • Use it for: A budget-based refusal. 恐怕 ("I'm afraid") makes it a fact about your constraints, not a judgment of their proposal.

30. Chinese: 我们可以先记下来，稍后再讨论。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ xiān jì xiàlái, shāohòu zài tǎolùn.
    • English: We can note it down first and discuss it later.
    • Use it for: Parking a sticking point so the rest of the negotiation can advance.

Closing: sealing the deal (31–40)

Closing is not just announcing agreement — it is confirming terms in writing and framing the outcome as the start of a relationship.

31. Chinese: 我们达成一致了。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen dáchéng yízhì le.
    • English: We've reached an agreement.
    • Use it for: The explicit moment of agreement, once every term is settled.

32. Chinese: 合同什么时候可以签？

    • Pinyin: Hétóng shénme shíhou kěyǐ qiān?
    • English: When can we sign the contract?
    • Use it for: Turning verbal agreement into a dated next step.

33. Chinese: 那就这么定了。

    • Pinyin: Nà jiù zhème dìng le.
    • English: Then it's settled.
    • Use it for: A short, natural way to confirm a decision on the spot.

34. Chinese: 麻烦把要点整理成书面文件。

    • Pinyin: Máfan bǎ yàodiǎn zhěnglǐ chéng shūmiàn wénjiàn.
    • English: Please put the key points into a written document.
    • Use it for: Locking in the terms so nothing is remembered differently later. 麻烦 ("please / may I trouble you") keeps the request polite.

35. Chinese: 我们各退一步，就这样定下来吧。

    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gè tuì yí bù, jiù zhèyàng dìng xiàlái ba.
    • English: Let's each step back and settle it this way.
    • Use it for: Closing a compromise in a way that lets both sides feel they contributed.

36. Chinese: 希望我们的合作长久顺利。

    • Pinyin: Xīwàng wǒmen de hézuò chángjiǔ shùnlì.
    • English: I hope our cooperation will be long and smooth.
    • Use it for: Ending on a relationship-building note rather than a transactional one.

37. Chinese: 细节确认后我们尽快安排签订。

    • Pinyin: Xìjié quèrèn hòu wǒmen jǐnkuài ānpái qiāndìng.
    • English: Once the details are confirmed, we'll arrange the signing as soon as possible.
    • Use it for: Committing to a process and a timeframe without inventing a specific date.

38. Chinese: 我稍后把会议纪要发给您确认。

    • Pinyin: Wǒ shāohòu bǎ huìyì jìyào fā gěi nín quèrèn.
    • English: I'll send you the meeting minutes later for confirmation.
    • Use it for: Establishing a paper trail and a second chance to correct misunderstandings.

39. Chinese: 期待与贵公司下次合作。

    • Pinyin: Qīdài yǔ guì gōngsī xià cì hézuò.
    • English: Looking forward to the next cooperation with your company.
    • Use it for: Closing the meeting while signalling you want a long-term partner, not a one-off deal.

40. Chinese: 这次洽谈很愉快，谢谢贵方的时间。

    • Pinyin: Zhè cì qiàtán hěn yúkuài, xièxie guìfāng de shíjiān.
    • English: This talk has been very pleasant; thank you for your time.
    • Use it for: The courtesy line that ends a session on good terms.

Want a wider bank of professional Chinese for the surrounding meetings? See our guide to business Chinese phrases, and for the relationship-building lines that open a negotiation well, see business Chinese meeting phrases.

03 · Practice

Negotiation Scenario Practice

Knowing 40 phrases is not the same as using them under pressure. The four scenarios below are the ones you will actually meet. Read each dialogue aloud, then swap in your own numbers and products. Every line is annotated with characters, pinyin, and English.

Scenario 1: Price negotiation

A supplier quotes a unit price above your target. You want a lower number without souring the relationship.

• A (you): 这个价格比我们的预期高一些。如果订购量增加，价格能不能再商量？ — Zhège jiàgé bǐ wǒmen de yùqī gāo yìxiē. Rúguǒ dìnggòu liàng zēngjiā, jiàgé néng bù néng zài shāngliang? — This price is a little above our expectations. If we increase the order volume, can the price be negotiated?
• B (supplier): 您计划订购多少？ — Nín jìhuà dìnggòu duōshao? — How much do you plan to order?
• A (you): 如果价格下调百分之五，我们可以订一万件。 — Rúguǒ jiàgé xiàtiáo bǎifēnzhī wǔ, wǒmen kěyǐ dìng yí wàn jiàn. — If the price comes down by 5%, we can order ten thousand units.
• B (supplier): 百分之五太多了，我们最多让三个点。 — Bǎifēnzhī wǔ tài duō le, wǒmen zuìduō ràng sān gè diǎn. — Five percent is too much; we can go at most three points.
• A (you): 那我们各让一步，四个点怎么样？ — Nà wǒmen gè ràng yí bù, sì gè diǎn zěnmeyàng? — Then let's each give a little — how about four points?

What to notice: the buyer never says the price is unfair; they say it is 比预期高一些 ("a little above expectations"), attach volume to the discount, and close with 各让一步 (each give a little) — all three moves from Module 1.

Scenario 2: Contract terms discussion

A clause needs changing, but your counterpart drafted it and may feel personally attached to the wording.

• A (you): 关于合同条款，我们有两处想请贵方考虑。 — Guānyú hétóng tiáokuǎn, wǒmen yǒu liǎng chù xiǎng qǐng guìfāng kǎolǜ. — Regarding the contract terms, there are two points we'd like your side to consider.
• B (counterpart): 请讲。 — Qǐng jiǎng. — Please go ahead.
• A (you): 第三条款的违约责任，我们希望表述得更具体一些。 — Dì sān tiáokuǎn de wéiyuē zérèn, wǒmen xīwàng biǎoshù de gèng jùtǐ yìxiē. — For the breach-of-contract liability in clause three, we'd like the wording to be more specific.
• B (counterpart): 这一点可以讨论。 — Zhè yì diǎn kěyǐ tǎolùn. — That point can be discussed.
• A (you): 我们也可以接受现有方案，只要双方责任对等。 — Wǒmen yě kěyǐ jiēshòu xiànyǒu fāng'àn, zhǐyào shuāngfāng zérèn duìděng. — We could also accept the current version, as long as the obligations are equal for both sides.

What to notice: suggestions are introduced as 想请贵方考虑 ("we'd like your side to consider"), never as 你们错了 ("you're wrong"), and the fallback is offered immediately — a face-saving exit for the drafter.

Scenario 3: Delivery timeline negotiation

The requested delivery date is too tight for the supplier; your production line needs a firm answer.

• A (you): 这批货最早什么时候能交？ — Zhè pī huò zuìzǎo shénme shíhou néng jiāo? — What is the earliest you can deliver this batch?
• B (supplier): 现在产能很紧，全部交货可能要九十天。 — Xiànzài chǎnnéng hěn jǐn, quánbù jiāohuò kěnéng yào jiǔshí tiān. — Capacity is tight right now; full delivery may take ninety days.
• A (you): 九十天太长了，会影响我们的上市时间。能不能分两批交？ — Jiǔshí tiān tài cháng le, huì yǐngxiǎng wǒmen de shàngshì shíjiān. Néng bù néng fēn liǎng pī jiāo? — Ninety days is too long; it would affect our launch. Could you deliver in two batches?
• B (supplier): 可以先交一半，四十五天内。 — Kěyǐ xiān jiāo yíbàn, sìshíwǔ tiān nèi. — We can deliver half first, within forty-five days.
• A (you): 这样可以，剩下的那一半希望不超过八十天。 — Zhèyàng kěyǐ, shèngxià de nà yíbàn xīwàng bù chāoguò bāshí tiān. — That works; we hope the remaining half won't exceed eighty days.

What to notice: instead of rejecting the timeline outright, the buyer names the impact (影响上市时间) and proposes a structure (分两批) — a classic "creating options" move.

Scenario 4: Payment terms negotiation

You want a longer payment period; the supplier wants to be paid sooner. Both sides have cash-flow reasons.

• A (you): 付款方式我们希望采用电汇，账期六十天。 — Fùkuǎn fāngshì wǒmen xīwàng cǎiyòng diànhuì, zhàngqī liùshí tiān. — For payment, we'd like to use telegraphic transfer with a sixty-day term.
• B (supplier): 六十天有点长，我们通常要求预付三成。 — Liùshí tiān yǒudiǎn cháng, wǒmen tōngcháng yāoqiú yùfù sān chéng. — Sixty days is a bit long; we usually require a 30% deposit.
• A (you): 如果我们预付五成，账期能不能保持三十天？ — Rúguǒ wǒmen yùfù wǔ chéng, zhàngqī néng bù néng bǎochí sānshí tiān? — If we pay a 50% deposit, can the term stay at thirty days?
• B (supplier): 这样可以考虑。 — Zhèyàng kěyǐ kǎolǜ. — That's something we can consider.
• A (you): 好，那我们写进合同，双方都有保障。 — Hǎo, nà wǒmen xiě jìn hétóng, shuāngfāng dōu yǒu bǎozhàng. — Good, then let's write it into the contract so both sides are protected.

What to notice: every demand is paired with an offer (预付五成 for a thirty-day term), and the close moves immediately to writing it down — the Module 2 closing habit.

Want to rehearse these exchanges against a partner who pushes back? See the negotiation practice scenarios and the business Chinese role-play method guide.

04 · Culture

Cultural Negotiation Tips

Phrases written in a textbook sound wrong in a real room if you ignore the culture around them. Four habits matter most in Chinese negotiations.

Build relationships first

In Chinese business culture, the relationship precedes the deal. A first meeting is often about establishing trust, not closing a number — meals, small talk, and 交情 (jiāoqíng — personal rapport) are part of the negotiation, not delays before it. Arriving with your lowest price immediately can read as impersonal and can cost you flexibility later.

• Chinese: 我们先认识一下，合作的事慢慢谈。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen xiān rènshi yíxià, hézuò de shì mànman tán.
• English: Let's get to know each other first; we can discuss the cooperation gradually.
• Use it for: A first meeting. It signals patience and confidence, both of which raise your credibility.

Patience is valued

Rushing is read as weakness or desperation. Chinese negotiators may deliberately let a topic sit, revisit old points, or take a break before responding to a proposal. Silence and deliberation are tools, not awkward gaps. If you fill every pause, you hand the other side leverage.

• Chinese: 这个问题不急，我们可以下次再谈。
• Pinyin: Zhège wèntí bù jí, wǒmen kěyǐ xià cì zài tán.
• English: There's no rush on this question; we can discuss it next time.
• Use it for: Responding calmly when you are pressed. It says you are not under pressure to agree today.

Avoid ultimatums

Hard ultimatums — 要么……要么…… (yàome... yàome... — either... or...) — force a counterpart to choose between the deal and their face. Even when you are prepared to walk away, phrase the limit as a constraint rather than a threat: 恐怕我们无法接受 (kǒngpà wǒmen wúfǎ jiēshòu — I'm afraid we cannot accept it) leaves the door open and the dignity intact.

• Chinese: 这已经是我们的底线了，希望贵方能理解。
• Pinyin: Zhè yǐjīng shì wǒmen de dǐxiàn le, xīwàng guìfāng néng lǐjiě.
• English: This is already our bottom line; I hope your side can understand.
• Use it for: Stating a firm limit without presenting it as a threat. 底线 (bottom line) is firmness; 希望理解 (hope you understand) is courtesy.

Use indirect language for disagreements

A flat 不行 (bùxíng — won't work) ends a conversation. Chinese negotiating style prefers layered disagreement: acknowledge, soften, then redirect. 可能 ("perhaps"), 稍微 ("slightly"), 我们再研究一下 ("we'll study it again") all mean "no" in context while leaving the other side room to adjust.

• Chinese: 您的想法很好，不过实际操作上可能有一点难处。
• Pinyin: Nín de xiǎngfǎ hěn hǎo, búguò shíjì cāozuò shàng kěnéng yǒu yìdiǎn nánchu.
• English: Your idea is good, though there might be a slight difficulty in practice.
• Use it for: Disagreeing with a proposal while keeping the relationship intact. Read it as a soft no and respond to the substance, not the compliment.

06 · FAQ

FAQ

1. What phrases help in negotiations?

The highest-value negotiation phrases fall into four groups: opening lines that set the agenda (我们来讨论一下价格问题 — "let's discuss the price"), proposals that attach a condition to a concession (如果价格能下调百分之五，我们可以增加订购量 — "if the price comes down 5%, we can increase the order volume"), polite pushback (这个价格有点高 — "this price is a bit high"), and closing lines that lock in agreement (我们达成一致了 — "we've reached an agreement"). Learn two or three from each group and you can carry most negotiations. For a wider professional phrase bank, see business Chinese phrases.

2. How do I negotiate price in Chinese?

Never reject the price directly — reframe it. Say 这个价格比我们的预期高一些 ("this price is a little above our expectations"), then immediately attach something you will give in return: 如果价格下调百分之五，我们可以增加订购量 ("if the price comes down 5%, we can increase the order volume"). Asking 能不能说明一下报价的依据？ ("could you explain the basis for this quote?") challenges the number without insulting it. If the gap remains, invite a split with 我们各让一步 ("let's each give a little"). The tone stays warm; the position stays firm.

3. How do I disagree without offending?

Use layered, indirect disagreement instead of 不行 ("won't work"). Acknowledge first (您的想法很好 — "your idea is good"), soften, then redirect (不过实际操作上可能有一点难处 — "though there might be a slight difficulty in practice"). Other face-saving forms: 我们再研究一下 ("we'll study it again"), 原则上我们同意，但细节还需要再谈 ("in principle we agree, but the details need further discussion"), and 恐怕这个方案超出了我们的预算 ("I'm afraid this plan exceeds our budget"). Each one refuses the substance while protecting the other side's face — which is what keeps the deal alive.

4. How do I close a deal in Chinese?

Confirm each settled term, then mark the agreement explicitly with 我们达成一致了 ("we've reached an agreement") or 那就这么定了 ("then it's settled"). Immediately convert it into something written: 麻烦把要点整理成书面文件 ("please put the key points into a written document") and 我稍后把会议纪要发给您确认 ("I'll send the meeting minutes for confirmation"). Ask 合同什么时候可以签？ ("when can we sign the contract?") to pin down the next step, and finish on a relationship note with 希望我们的合作长久顺利 ("I hope our cooperation will be long and smooth"). Practicing the full closing sequence with an AI role-play partner is the fastest way to make it automatic.

Footer CTA

You do not need a real counterpart to build negotiation reflexes — you need reps. Rehearse the openings, proposals, pushback, and closings from this page against an AI partner that answers like a Chinese negotiator.

Primary CTA: Practice Negotiation Scenarios

Secondary CTA: Try a Price Negotiation Role-Play

Keep learning: business Chinese phrases · business Chinese role-play · practice scenarios

Internal Links

Deliberately excluded (do not link until live):

• /learn/business-chinese-for-negotiation (PRD "Business Chinese for Negotiation", Learn page): currently HTTP 404, not yet built. Its intent is mapped to the live /learn/scenarios and /learn/business-chinese-role-play pages.
• /scenarios/negotiation (a dedicated negotiation scenario page): does not exist in the live sitemap. The PRD "Negotiation Scenarios (Scenarios)" intent is mapped to /learn/scenarios.

This page must contain no 404 link targets.

CTA Summary

Chinese Examples Count

Every Chinese line includes characters, pinyin, and an English translation. Module 2's 40 phrases are the numbered core phrase bank required by the PRD. Module 3's 20 lines are dialogue turns (marked A/B); each is triple-annotated. Additional triple-annotated examples appear in the FAQ (4 answers each carry at least one phrase).