yingye: 营业 - To do business, To be open (for business)

Keywords: yingye, 营业, ying ye meaning, Chinese for 'open for business', what does yingye mean, business hours in Chinese, yingye shijian, how to say a store is open in Chinese, 正在营业, business license in Chinese

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 营业 (yíngyè), which means “to be open for business” or “to operate.” This page breaks down how to use `营业` for understanding signs on shops, asking about business hours (营业时间), and discussing a company's operational status. It's a crucial vocabulary word for navigating daily commercial life in China, distinct from the more general term “to do business.”

Pinyin (with tone marks): yíngyè

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 4

Concise Definition: To be in operation; to be open for business.

In a Nutshell: `营业` is the formal and standard term used to describe a commercial establishment (like a shop, bank, or restaurant) being open and conducting business. Think of it as the official status of being “in operation.” While you might colloquially say a shop “opens its doors” (开门), `营业` is the word you'll see on signs and in official contexts to define its period of service.

营 (yíng): Originally referring to a military camp or encampment, this character evolved to mean “to manage,” “to operate,” or “to run.” A business, in this sense, is a base of operations that needs to be managed.

业 (yè): This character means “business,” “trade,” “industry,” or “occupation.” It refers to the commercial activity itself.

Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “to operate (营) a business (业).” This creates the precise meaning of a commercial entity actively running and being open to customers.

`营业` is a cornerstone of modern commercial language in China. Its usage reflects a certain level of formality in public and business spaces.

Comparison to “Open/Closed”: In English-speaking countries, a simple two-sided sign saying “Open” and “Closed” is standard. In China, the equivalent signs often use full phrases incorporating `营业`. A sign might say `正在营业` (zhèngzài yíngyè), which translates to “Currently in Operation,” or `暂停营业` (zàntíng yíngyè), “Operations Temporarily Suspended.” This is slightly more formal and descriptive than a single English word. It treats the state of being open as a formal status.

This formality extends to official documents. The single most important document for any legal business in China is its `营业执照` (yíngyè zhízhào), or “business license.” The term `营业` carries a sense of official, legally sanctioned commercial activity.

`营业` is most commonly encountered in written form on signs and official notices, but it is also used in spoken questions about business hours.

Formality: `营业` is a neutral to formal term. It's the standard, correct word for this context. In very casual conversation, people might use `开门` (kāimén - open door) or `关门` (guānmén - close door) instead, but `营业` is always understood and appropriate.

营业时间 (yíngyè shíjiān) - Business hours; the most common and important related term.

营业执照 (yíngyè zhízhào) - Business license; a legal document required to operate a business.

开门 (kāimén) - To open the door; the colloquial synonym for starting the business day.

关门 (guānmén) - To close the door; the colloquial antonym for ending the business day.

歇业 (xiēyè) - To close down a business, often permanently or for a long period. More formal than `关门`.

暂停 (zàntíng) - To suspend; often paired with `营业` to mean “temporarily closed.”

照常 (zhàocháng) - As usual; often paired with `营业` to mean “open as usual.”

做生意 (zuò shēngyi) - To do business (in a general sense of being an entrepreneur).

营业额 (yíngyè'é) - Business turnover; revenue.

开业 (kāiyè) - To open a new business; grand opening.