How to visit a company in China

If you want to do business in China and to do it smoothly, you might want to visit the company. It can be helpful to meet clients or vendors to see how they do things or to check the product and their assembly lines. So, this article is tailor made for you!

Before visiting, you need to schedule the time, so these dialogues are for making an appointment. Let’s check it out!

1. Suggesting a time: When do you have time? - Nín shénme shíhou fāngbiàn? 您什么时候方便？/ Nín shénme shíhou yǒukòngr? 您什么时候有空?

Ex: Do you have time next Monday? Nín xiàge xīngqī yī yǒukòngr ma? 您下个星期一有空吗?

Is 10 a.m. ok? Shàngwǔ shídiǎn kěyǐ ma? 上午十点可以吗？

2. Saying yes: Yes, I have time/Ok/Good/ No problem. - Wǒ yǒukòngr/ Kěyǐ/ Hǎo/ Méi wèntí. 我有空。/ 可以。/ 好。/ 没问题。

Ex：I have time next Monday. Wǒ xià ge xīngqī yī yǒu kònɡ ér . 我下个星期一有空儿。

Okay, no problem. Hǎode, méi wèntí. 好的，没问题。

3. Saying no: I’m afraid not/ Sorry, I don’t have time/ Sorry, I have another arrangement. Kǒngpà bùxíng. / Duì bu qǐ, wǒ méi kòngr. / Duì bu qǐ, wǒ yǒu qítā ānpái. 恐怕不行。/ 对不起，我没空。/ 对不起，我有其他安排。

Ex: My apology, I have other arrangements next Monday. Bàoqiàn, wǒ xià ge xīngqī yī yǒu qítā ānpái. 抱歉，我下个星期一有其他安排。

Now, you know how to ask about time availability, let’s move on to the visit.

Before visiting, you should know that punctuality is vital when doing business in China. Ensure you are on time, as late arrivals are seen as an insult. Meetings should begin with some brief small talk. You may talk about your experiences in China so far. Keep it positive, and avoid anything political. The following sentences will help you when visiting a Chinese company.

- It’s very nice to meet you again. Hěn gāoxìng yòu jiànmiàn le! 很高兴又见面了！