màoyì: 贸易 - Trade, Commerce

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Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 贸易 (màoyì), which means “trade” or “commerce.” This page breaks down the characters, explores its huge cultural significance from the ancient Silk Road to modern global economics, and teaches you how to use it correctly in practical situations. Discover the difference between `贸易 (màoyì)` and `生意 (shēngyi)` and master key phrases like “international trade” (国际贸易) and “trade war” (贸易战) to discuss business and economics in Chinese.

Pinyin (with tone marks): màoyì

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: The act or process of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services, especially on a large scale.

In a Nutshell: 贸易 (màoyì) is the standard, formal word for “trade.” Think of it as the engine of an economy. It covers everything from a trade agreement between two countries to the entire import/export industry. While it can be used for business in general, it has a more formal and large-scale feel than a simple transaction. It's the word you'll see in news headlines about the global economy and in the names of international trading companies.

贸 (mào): This character means “trade” or “commerce.” It's a phono-semantic compound. The bottom part, 贝 (bèi), originally meant “cowrie shell” and now represents money or valuables. The top part provides the sound. So, you can think of it as “exchanging valuables.”

易 (yì): This character's core meaning is “to change” or “to exchange.” While it can also mean “easy,” in this context, it clearly signifies exchange. Imagine liquid being poured from one container to another—a transfer or exchange is happening.

Together, 贸易 (màoyì) literally combines “trade with valuables” (贸) and “exchange” (易) to form the robust and formal concept of “trade and commerce.”

From Silk Road to Global Powerhouse: The concept of 贸易 (màoyì) is deeply woven into China's history. The ancient 丝绸之路 (Sīchóu zhī Lù) - Silk Road was one of the world's most important historical trade routes, connecting China with the West. Today, 贸易 is central to China's modern identity. The policy of 改革开放 (Gǎigé Kāifàng) - Reform and Opening-Up transformed China into a global manufacturing hub and trading titan. Therefore, understanding 贸易 is essential to understanding modern China's economic and geopolitical role.

Comparison with “Business”: In English, “business” is a very broad term. In Chinese, there's a key distinction. 贸易 (màoyì) is more formal and refers to the system or field of trade, especially on a national or international level. It's about commerce as a structured activity. In contrast, 生意 (shēngyi) is more colloquial and can refer to a specific deal, a small shop's daily transactions, or the general state of “doing business.” You would discuss a country's 贸易 policy, but ask a shopkeeper how their 生意 is.

Connotation: The term itself is neutral and descriptive. However, it's often paired with words that give it a positive or negative charge. For example, a 贸易顺差 (màoyì shùnchā), or “trade surplus,” is generally seen as positive for a country's economy, while a 贸易战 (màoyì zhàn), or “trade war,” is decidedly negative.

生意 (shēngyi) - Business, deal. More colloquial and smaller in scale than `贸易`.

商业 (shāngyè) - Commerce, business (as an industry or field). A broader term that encompasses `贸易` and other business activities.

交易 (jiāoyì) - A transaction, a deal, an exchange. Focuses on the single act of trading.

经济 (jīngjì) - Economy. `贸易` is a fundamental pillar of a country's `经济`.

进出口 (jìnchūkǒu) - Imports and Exports. The two core activities that constitute international `贸易`.

外贸 (wàimào) - A common abbreviation for `对外贸易` (foreign trade).

国际贸易 (guójì màoyì) - The full, formal term for International Trade.

商人 (shāngrén) - Businessman, merchant. A person who engages in `商业` or `贸易`.

关税 (guānshuì) - Tariff, customs duty. A tax on imports or exports, a key tool in `贸易` policy.

丝绸之路 (Sīchóu zhī Lù) - The Silk Road. The most famous historical example of `贸易` involving China.