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Why Mandarin for Business
Back in school, we were all told: “English is the language of the future.” And sure, it’s everywhere now. From movies to meetings, English has become part of daily life across the globe.
But there’s another language quietly powering the world’s economy, one we often overlook. It’s the language of the country behind the Belt and Road Initiative, the Great Wall, and now, some of the biggest industrial investments in Southeast Asia that is Mandarin Chinese.
Indonesia and China signed 16 new industrial projects, all from companies in Fujian province alone, with a combined investment value of around IDR 36 trillion (roughly US$2.19 billion) (Invest Indonesia, 2026). These projects span sectors like batteries, AI, seafood processing, and textiles, all part of a deeper economic partnership under the “Two Countries, Twin Parks” framework.
This isn’t just diplomacy. It’s real 2026 business. And it’s happening right now.
Yet, many people hesitate to learn Mandarin. Articles like the one from LinguaBox Group (2025) list all the usual challenges: tones, tricky sounds like zh and q, characters that seem impossible to memorize. Yes, Mandarin can be tough, but is also as rewarding. If we waited until something felt “easy,” we’d never begin at all.
And here’s the truth, you don’t need fluency to benefit from learning Chinese. Even a few key words can open doors, especially in business.
As someone passionate about helping people grow, I believe investing in yourself, through language, culture, and global awareness, is one of the highest return on any decisions you can make. So let’s start small.
Basic Business Chinese Words
In this series, I’ll share practical insights at the intersection of China, business, and language. And today? We begin with four simple,but powerful,words you’ll hear again and again in Chinese business settings:
- 老板 (Lǎobǎn), Boss
You’ll hear this everywhere in China, even street vendors are called “lǎobǎn” from customers as a friendly nod. In Indonesia, it’s the go-to term for business owners or managers. - 客户 (Kèhù), Client / Customer
No business survives without clients. This word pops up constantly, in emails, meetings, sales pitches. Know it, and you’re already speaking the language of commerce. - 会议 (Huìyì), Meeting
Love them or hate them, meetings run the business world. “Huìyì!” might be the word your manager yells as Friday afternoon comes your way. - 加油 (Jiā yóu!), “Add oil!” → “You’ve got this!” / “Semangat!”
Literally “add oil”, like fueling an engine, but used to cheer someone on. It’s warm, energetic, and deeply Chinese. Honestly? This might be the most encouraging phrase you’ll ever learn.
Of these, 加油 (jiā yóu) stands out. It’s not just for business, it’s for life. For the learner who’s nervous about their first conversation. For the entrepreneur pitching to a Chinese partner. For anyone taking a risk.
So if you’re thinking about learning Mandarin… don’t think, start now, jiā yóu!
That is all for our ‘Mandarin for Business‘ learning for now. We’ll keep exploring more words, cultural tips, and real world China, Indonesia business stories in the next post. Stay tuned!
For HR Teams Building Global Ready Workforces in Chinese, indonesian, and More
If you’re in HR and managing teams that work across countries, language shouldn’t be a barrier inside your own systems. That’s why Smart Salary, our all in one HRIS platform, supports multiple languages, including Mandarin Chinese. Because when your payroll, performance reviews, and employee records speak your team’s language, operations run smoother and inclusion becomes real. After all, language is the backbone of any truly global business.
References
Invest Indonesia (2026) China and Indonesia Boost Investments With 16 Industrial Projects. Available at: https://investindonesia.co.id/2026/01/19/china-and-indonesia-boost-investments-with-16-industrial-projects/ (Accessed: 21 January 2026).
LinguaBox Group (2025) The Challenges of Learning Mandarin. Available at: https://www.linguaboxgroup.com/blog/challengelearning (Accessed: 21 January 2026).
