Canton Fair · 22 phrases

22 Mandarin Phrases for the Canton Fair (广交会)

At most booths you can get by in English, but a few Mandarin phrases help you filter suppliers fast and show you did your homework. Each phrase has Chinese characters (to show on your phone), pinyin with tones and the English meaning.

2026 phases (Guangzhou, 广交会 Guǎngjiāohuì): Phase 1: 15–19 Oct · Phase 2: 23–27 Oct · Phase 3: 31 Oct–4 Nov. Always confirm the dates and product categories for each phase on the official Canton Fair website.

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Opening the conversation

Chinese	Pinyin	English
你好！	Nǐ hǎo!	Hello!
我是从巴西来的。	Wǒ shì cóng Bāxī lái de.	I'm from Brazil. (Swap 巴西 for your own country.)
你们是工厂还是贸易公司？	Nǐmen shì gōngchǎng háishi màoyì gōngsī?	Are you a factory or a trading company?
有产品目录吗？	Yǒu chǎnpǐn mùlù ma?	Do you have a product catalog?

Price and quantity

Chinese	Pinyin	English
这个多少钱？	Zhège duōshao qián?	How much is this?
起订量是多少？	Qǐdìngliàng shì duōshao?	What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ)?
最低价是多少？	Zuìdī jià shì duōshao?	What is your best (lowest) price?
太贵了！	Tài guì le!	That's too expensive!
可以便宜一点吗？	Kěyǐ piányi yìdiǎn ma?	Can you make it a bit cheaper?
价格是FOB还是EXW？	Jiàgé shì FOB háishi EXW?	Is the price FOB or EXW?
用美元还是人民币？	Yòng Měiyuán háishi Rénmínbì?	In US dollars or in RMB (yuan)?

Samples, lead time and customization

Chinese	Pinyin	English
可以寄样品吗？	Kěyǐ jì yàngpǐn ma?	Can you send a sample?
样品免费吗？	Yàngpǐn miǎnfèi ma?	Is the sample free?
交货期多久？	Jiāohuòqī duōjiǔ?	How long is the lead time (delivery time)?
可以印我们的logo吗？	Kěyǐ yìn wǒmen de logo ma?	Can you print our logo?
你们做OEM吗？	Nǐmen zuò OEM ma?	Do you do OEM (with our brand)?
怎么付款？	Zěnme fùkuǎn?	How do I pay? (What are the payment terms?)

Contact and closing

Chinese	Pinyin	English
可以给我一张名片吗？	Kěyǐ gěi wǒ yì zhāng míngpiàn ma?	Could you give me a business card?
我们加个微信吧。	Wǒmen jiā ge Wēixìn ba.	Let's add each other on WeChat.
请说慢一点。	Qǐng shuō màn yìdiǎn.	Please speak more slowly.
请写下来。	Qǐng xiě xiàlái.	Please write it down.
谢谢，我考虑一下。	Xièxie, wǒ kǎolǜ yíxià.	Thank you, I'll think about it.

3 tips from people who negotiate with Chinese suppliers

万 wàn = 10,000. 一万 = 10 thousand, 十万 = 100 thousand. Always confirm the number by typing it on a calculator.
Chinese hand signs for numbers are different: 6 = thumb + pinky, 8 = thumb + index finger (like an "L"), 10 = crossed index fingers or a closed fist. Do not mistake 8 for "2".
Install and verify WeChat before the trip. 加个微信 (adding each other on WeChat) is today's business-card swap. A more polite way to ask is 可以加一下您的微信吗？ (Kěyǐ jiā yíxià nín de Wēixìn ma?, "May I add your WeChat?").

Frequently asked questions

When is the Canton Fair in 2026?

The announced phases for this edition are 15–19 October, 23–27 October and 31 October–4 November 2026, in Guangzhou. Confirm the dates and product categories for each phase on the official Canton Fair website before you travel.

Do I need to speak Mandarin to attend the Canton Fair?

At most booths you can get by in English, but a few Mandarin phrases help you filter suppliers quickly and show you did your homework.

How do I learn the pronunciation of these phrases?

With Mandarin audio and repetition. Pinyin shows the tones, but listening is what makes them stick.

Practice the pronunciation with audio

TianTian is a Chinese flashcard app that runs in your phone browser, with nothing to install. Every HSK 1 word has an image, character, pinyin and Mandarin audio. The free plan includes 20 words per level.

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