yingye: 营业 - To do business, To be open (for business)
Quick Summary
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.”
Core Meaning
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.
Character Breakdown
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.
Cultural Context and Significance
`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.
Practical Usage in Modern China
`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.
On Signs and Notices:
`正在营业` (zhèngzài yíngyè): Now Open / In Business.
`照常营业` (zhàocháng yíngyè): Open as Usual (often seen during holidays to reassure customers).
`暂停营业` (zàntíng yíngyè): Temporarily Closed (e.g., for renovations).
`停止营业` (tíngzhǐ yíngyè): To Stop Business / Closed (often used for the end of the day or permanently).
`24小时营业` (èrshísì xiǎoshí yíngyè): Open 24 Hours.
In Conversation: It's used to ask about a business's operational status, especially its hours.
“你们几点开始营业？” (Nǐmen jǐ diǎn kāishǐ yíngyè?) - “What time do you start business/open?”
“这家店还营不营业了？” (Zhè jiā diàn hái yíng bù yíngyè le?) - “Is this shop still in business?”
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.
Example Sentences
Example 1:
银行门口的牌子上写着：正在营业。
Pinyin: Yínháng ménkǒu de páizi shàng xiě zhe: zhèngzài yíngyè.
English: The sign at the entrance of the bank says: “Now Open”.
Analysis: This is the most common phrase you'll see on a shop or business door to indicate they are open. `正在 (zhèngzài)` emphasizes the current, ongoing state.
English: Although it's National Day, we are open as usual.
Analysis: `照常营业` (zhàocháng yíngyè) is a common phrase seen during holidays, assuring customers that the business is maintaining its normal schedule.
Example 9:
对不起，我们已经结束今天的营业了。
Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒmen yǐjīng jiéshù jīntiān de yíngyè le.
English: Sorry, we have already finished today's business (we are closed for the day).
Analysis: A polite and slightly formal way an employee might tell a customer they have closed for the day. `结束 (jiéshù)` means “to end.”
Example 10:
那家老书店去年就不营业了。
Pinyin: Nà jiā lǎo shūdiàn qùnián jiù bù yíngyè le.
English: That old bookstore went out of business last year.
Analysis: Using `不…了 (bù…le)` with `营业` implies a permanent state of no longer being in business.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`营业 (yíngyè)` vs. `开门 (kāimén)`: This is a key distinction for learners.
`营业` refers to the entire state or period of being in operation. It's more formal.
`开门 (kāimén)` literally means “to open the door.” It's colloquial and refers to the specific action of opening for the day.
Correct: 我们的营业时间是9点到5点。(Our business hours are 9 to 5.)
Correct (colloquial): 我们早上9点开门。(We open the door at 9 AM.)
Mistake: You wouldn't typically say “我们的开门时间是9点到5点” because `开门` is an action, not a duration.
`营业 (yíngyè)` vs. `做生意 (zuò shēngyi)`:
`营业` is about a specific establishment being open for service.
`做生意 (zuò shēngyi)` means “to do business” in a general sense of being an entrepreneur or engaging in commerce. It describes a person's profession or activity.
Correct: 我爸爸在上海做生意。(My dad does business in Shanghai.)
Incorrect: `我爸爸在上海营业。` (This would incorrectly imply your father is a storefront that is open in Shanghai.)
Related Terms and Concepts
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).