Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
贸易(貿易)màoyì(mao4yi4)
贸易 (mào yì) refers to commercial trade or the exchange of goods and services between entities. It is commonly used in business contexts and discussions about economics, representing both domestic and international trade activities.
Frequency#6848DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, trade has been significant since ancient times, exemplified by the Silk Road, which facilitated not just goods but also cultural exchange. Today, 贸易 plays a crucial role in China's economy, reflecting its status as a global trade powerhouse.
Memory Tip
Imagine two merchants shaking hands over a table piled with goods, representing the 'trade' (贸易) they are about to engage in. The '毛' (máo) sounds like 'mow', and you can visualize mowing through the goods to trade them, while '易' (yì) means easy, suggesting trade makes things easier.
Meanings of 贸易
màoyì(mao4yi4)
1(commercial) trade
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 贸易
贸易Simplified
貿易Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#6848Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRB2
Podcast: 贸易
Podcast: 贸易
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 贸易
Quick Contrast
贸易 (màoyì) vs 商业 (shāngyè) — use 贸易 for trade specifically involving the exchange of goods, while 商业 refers more broadly to business activities.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine two merchants shaking hands over a table piled with goods, representing the 'trade' (贸易) they are about to engage in. The '毛' (máo) sounds like 'mow', and you can visualize mowing through the goods to trade them, while '易' (yì) means easy, suggesting trade makes things easier.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of context; 贸易 is often used in formal business discussions, so it may not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include 贸易协议 (trade agreement) and 国际贸易 (international trade). Avoid mixing it with similar-sounding words like 交易 (jiāo yì), which refers more to specific transactions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 贸易 connects to other business-related terms you may encounter at this level, such as 市场 (shì chǎng - market) and 经济 (jīng jì - economy). Focus on using it in sentences related to business contexts to reinforce understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, trade has been significant since ancient times, exemplified by the Silk Road, which facilitated not just goods but also cultural exchange. Today, 贸易 plays a crucial role in China's economy, reflecting its status as a global trade powerhouse.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 贸易 with 交易 (jiāo yì), thinking they are interchangeable. Remember, 交易 is for transactions, while 贸易 is the broader concept of trade. For example, saying '我们进行贸易' (wǒmen jìnxíng màoyì) is correct, while '交易贸易' is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 贸易
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 贸易 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 贸易 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 贸易
贸易 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Trade between the two countries has grown for three consecutive years — from this we can see that their cooperative relationship is growing ever closer.
Example Sentences for 贸易 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
西班牙一直是古巴的主要贸易伙伴之一。
xī bān yá yī zhí shì gǔ bā de zhǔ yào mào yì huǒ bàn zhī yī。
Spain has been one of Cuba's major trading partners.
2
贸易赤字是经济快速发展带来的负面产物。
mào yì chì zì shì jīng jì kuài sù fā zhǎn dài lái de fù miàn chǎn wù。
The trade deficit is the flip side of a rapidly expanding economy.
3
“全球化”是个泛称，用以描述增进了的国际贸易。
“ “ quán qiú” huà ” shì gè， fàn chēng ， yòng yǐ miáo shù zēng jìn le de guó。
Globalisation is a catch-all to describe increased international trade.
4
那是布鲁塞尔国际贸易谈判中纷乱的一天。
nà shì bù lǔ sāi ěr guó jì mào yì tán pàn zhōng fēn luàn de yī tiān。
It's been a tumultuous day at the international trade negotiations in Brussels.
This talk betrays a certain cynicism about free trade.
Cultural Notes for 贸易
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, trade has been significant since ancient times, exemplified by the Silk Road, which facilitated not just goods but also cultural exchange. Today, 贸易 plays a crucial role in China's economy, reflecting its status as a global trade powerhouse.
Frequently Asked Questions about 贸易
贸易 refers to trade in a broader sense, encompassing the overall exchange of goods and services, while 交易 specifically refers to individual transactions.
No, 贸易 is primarily used in formal or business-related contexts; for casual conversations about buying and selling, other terms may be more appropriate.
