1. Introduction | 介绍 | Introdução

Business communication is a crucial skill for anyone working in international environments. Whether you are attending a formal meeting, negotiating with clients, or making phone calls, professional language and etiquette can make or break your impression.

In this lesson, you will:

• Learn key vocabulary for meetings and phone calls.

• Practice formal and polite phrases to sound professional.

• Study dialogues that demonstrate real-world interactions.

• Understand cultural tips for business etiquette in English, Chinese, and Portuguese.

• Test your knowledge with practical exercises.

2. Vocabulary Table | 词汇表 | Vocabulário

3. Useful Phrases | 实用短语 | Frases Úteis

In Business Meetings | 在商务会议中 | Em Reuniões de Negócios

• “Let’s start the meeting.”
  开始会议吧。
  Kāishǐ huìyì ba.
  Vamos começar a reunião.

• “Could you share the agenda?”
  你能分享议程吗？
  Nǐ néng fēnxiǎng yìchéng ma?
  Podes partilhar a agenda?

• “I’d like to make a suggestion.”
  我想提个建议。
  Wǒ xiǎng tí gè jiànyì.
  Gostaria de fazer uma sugestão.

• “Shall we vote on this proposal?”
  我们要对这个提案投票吗？
  Wǒmen yào duì zhège tí’àn tóupiào ma?
  Devemos votar nesta proposta?

• “Let’s take a short break.”
  让我们休息一下。
  Ràng wǒmen xiūxi yíxià.
  Vamos fazer uma pequena pausa.

On the Telephone | 在电话中 | No Telefone

• “Good morning, this is [Your Name] from [Company].”
  早上好，我是[姓名]，来自[公司]。
  Zǎoshàng hǎo, wǒ shì [xìngmíng], láizì [gōngsī].
  Bom dia, fala [Seu Nome] da [Empresa].

• “May I speak to Mr. Wang, please?”
  我可以和王先生通话吗？
  Wǒ kěyǐ hé Wáng Xiānsheng tōnghuà ma?
  Posso falar com o Sr. Wang, por favor?

• “Could you hold, please?”
  请稍等。
  Qǐng shāoděng.
  Por favor, aguarde.

• “I’ll transfer your call.”
  我将为您转接电话。
  Wǒ jiāng wèi nín zhuǎnjiē diànhuà.
  Vou transferir a sua chamada.

• “Would you like to leave a message?”
  您要留言吗？
  Nín yào liúyán ma?
  Gostaria de deixar uma mensagem?

4. Dialogues | 对话 | Diálogos

Dialogue 1: Starting a Business Meeting

English
Manager: Good morning, everyone. Let’s start the meeting. Has everyone seen the agenda?
Employee: Yes, we have. I’d like to discuss the new client proposal first.
Manager: Sure, let’s begin with that.

中文 (Pinyin)
经理：大家早上好。我们开始会议吧。议程大家都看过了吗？
(jīnglǐ: dàjiā zǎoshàng hǎo. wǒmen kāishǐ huìyì ba. yìchéng dàjiā dōu kànguò le ma?)
员工：看过了。我想先讨论新客户的提案。
(yuángōng: kànguò le. wǒ xiǎng xiān tǎolùn xīn kèhù de tí’àn.)
经理：好的，我们先从这个开始。
(jīnglǐ: hǎode, wǒmen xiān cóng zhège kāishǐ.)

Português
Gerente: Bom dia a todos. Vamos começar a reunião. Todos já viram a agenda?
Funcionário: Sim, já vimos. Gostaria de discutir primeiro a proposta do novo cliente.
Gerente: Claro, vamos começar por isso.

Dialogue 2: Making a Telephone Call

English
Receptionist: Good afternoon, Global Trading, how may I help you?
Caller: Good afternoon, may I speak with Mr. Li?
Receptionist: Certainly. One moment, please. I’ll transfer your call.

中文 (Pinyin)
前台：下午好，这里是环球贸易公司，请问我能帮您什么？
(qiántái: xiàwǔ hǎo, zhèlǐ shì huánqiú màoyì gōngsī, qǐngwèn wǒ néng bāng nín shénme?)
来电者：下午好，我可以和李先生通话吗？
(láidiànzhě: xiàwǔ hǎo, wǒ kěyǐ hé Lǐ Xiānsheng tōnghuà ma?)
前台：当然可以，请稍等，我为您转接。
(qiántái: dāngrán kěyǐ, qǐng shāoděng, wǒ wèi nín zhuǎnjiē.)

Português
Rececionista: Boa tarde, Global Trading, em que posso ajudar?
Chamador: Boa tarde, posso falar com o Sr. Li?
Rececionista: Certamente. Um momento, por favor. Vou transferir a sua chamada.

5. Grammar & Cultural Tips | 语法与文化提示 | Dicas de Gramática e Cultura

1. Politeness is essential in all three languages. In Mandarin, using 您 (nín, polite “you”) shows respect. In Portuguese, use “o/a senhor(a)” in formal settings.

2. Titles are important in Chinese (e.g., 王先生 Wáng Xiānsheng = Mr. Wang). Avoid first names unless invited.

3. Indirect phrasing (“Would you mind…”, “Could we…”) sounds more professional in English and Portuguese.

4. In phone calls, identify yourself and your company first, especially in Chinese and Portuguese contexts, as it is considered polite and professional.

6. Practice Exercises | 练习 | Exercícios

1. Translate into Mandarin and Portuguese:

   • “Can we postpone the meeting to next Monday?”

   • “I’ll call you back in 10 minutes.”

   • “Please confirm if Mr. Wang will attend.”

2. Fill in the blanks (English):

   • “May I ______ your call?” (transfer)

   • “Could you please hold for a ______?” (moment)

   • “Let’s review the ______ before we begin.” (agenda)

3. Roleplay

   • Pair up: One plays a receptionist, the other a client calling to confirm a meeting. Practice in all three languages.

7. Review | 总结 | Revisão

In this lesson, you learned:

• Vocabulary for business meetings and telephone etiquette.

• Phrases for opening, discussing, and closing meetings.

• How to handle phone calls professionally in three languages.

• Cultural tips to communicate respectfully and effectively.