Usage note
商业指买卖商品或服务的活动，比如开商店或公司。
Shāng yè zhǐ mǎimài shāngpǐn huò fúwù de huódòng, bǐrú kāi shāngdiàn huò gōngsī.
Commerce refers to the activity of buying and selling goods or services, such as opening a store or company.
Context note
我们身边的超市、书店都是商业场所。
Wǒmen shēnbiān de chāoshì, shūdiàn dōu shì shāng yè chǎngsuǒ.
The supermarkets and bookstores around us are all commercial places.
5 examples
这条街有很多商业店铺。
zhè tiáo jiē yǒu hěn duō shāng yè diàn pù。
This street has many commercial shops.
商业中心里人来人往。
shāng yè zhōng xīn lǐ rén lái rén wǎng。
People come and go in the commercial center.
他长大后想从事商业工作。
tā zhǎng dà hòu xiǎng cóng shì shāng yè gōng zuò。
He wants to work in commerce when he grows up.
这家公司是商业巨头。
zhè jiā gōng sī shì shāng yè jù tóu。
This company is a commercial giant.
商业活动需要诚信。
shāng yè huó dòng xū yào chéng xìn。
Commercial activities require honesty.
5 mini stories
小明和妈妈去商业街购物。那里有很多有趣的商店。
xiǎo míng hé mā ma qù shāng yè jiē gòu wù。 nà lǐ yǒu hěn duō yǒu qù de shāng diàn。
Xiao Ming went shopping on the commercial street with his mom. There are many interesting stores there.
小红看到一家新开的商业书店。她进去买了一本书。
xiǎo hóng kàn dào yì jiā xīn kāi de shāng yè shū diàn。 tā jìn qù mǎi le yì běn shū。
Xiao Hong saw a newly opened commercial bookstore. She went in and bought a book.
小华在商业广场里玩。他喜欢那里的喷泉。
xiǎo huá zài shāng yè guǎng chǎng lǐ wán。 tā xǐ huan nà lǐ de pēn quán。
Xiao Hua played in the commercial plaza. He likes the fountain there.
小丽梦想开一家商业花店。她喜欢各种花朵。
xiǎo lì mèng xiǎng kāi yì jiā shāng yè huā diàn。 tā xǐ huan gè zhǒng huā duǒ。
Xiao Li dreams of opening a commercial flower shop. She likes all kinds of flowers.
小刚在电视上看到商业广告。他问妈妈广告是什么。
xiǎo gāng zài diàn shì shàng kàn dào shāng yè guǎng gào。 tā wèn mā ma guǎng gào shì shén me。
Xiao Gang saw a commercial advertisement on TV. He asked mom what an advertisement is.
Mini dialogue
商业街
A
这条街有很多商店，是商业街。
Zhè tiáo jiē yǒu hěnduō shāngdiàn, shì shāngyè jiē.
This street has many shops; it's a commercial street.
B
我们可以去买东西吗？
Wǒmen kěyǐ qù mǎi dōngxi ma?
Can we go shopping?
商业活动
A
商业活动让城市更热闹。
Shāngyè huódòng ràng chéngshì gèng rènao.
Business activities make the city more lively.
B
是的，很多人来买东西。
Shì de, hěnduō rén lái mǎi dōngxi.
Yes, many people come to buy things.
Related words and contrasts
similar
生意
shēng yì
business; trade
生意 is more colloquial and often refers to a specific deal or shop.
related
贸易
mào yì
trade
贸易 focuses on the exchange of goods, often international.
related
公司
gōng sī
company
公司 is a business organization, not the activity itself.