How do you use "do business" in a sentence?

We've been doing business with them for over ten years. It's a pleasure to do business with you. Many companies are reluctant to do business in that region.

do business

Q: What does "do business" mean?

To engage in commercial transactions or trade with someone We 'do business' with people or companies because business involves performing transactions and activities. 'Do business with' means to trade or have a commercial relationship. Never 'make business' (though we 'make a deal').

Collocation BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: To engage in commercial transactions or trade with someone

做生意

hacer negocios

商売をする

거래하다

We 'do business' with people or companies because business involves performing transactions and activities. 'Do business with' means to trade or have a commercial relationship. Never 'make business' (though we 'make a deal').

我们与人或公司'do business'因为生意涉及执行交易和活动。'Do business with'意味着进行贸易或有商业关系。不能说'make business'（虽然可以说'make a deal'）。

Usamos 'do business' con personas o empresas porque los negocios implican realizar transacciones y actividades. 'Do business with' significa comerciar o tener una relación comercial. Nunca 'make business' (aunque sí se dice 'make a deal').

人や会社と「do business」すると言います。ビジネスは取引や活動を行うことだからです。「do business with」は取引する、商業関係を持つという意味です。「make business」とは言いません（ただし「make a deal」は正しいです）。

'do business'라고 하는 이유는 사업이란 거래와 활동을 수행하는 것이기 때문입니다. 'do business with'는 거래하거나 상업적 관계를 맺는 것을 의미합니다. 'make business'라고 하면 안 됩니다(단, 'make a deal'이라고는 합니다).

Examples

We've been doing business with them for over ten years.
我们与他们做了十多年的生意。
Llevamos más de diez años haciendo negocios con ellos.
彼らとは10年以上取引しています。
우리는 그들과 10년 넘게 거래해 왔습니다.
It's a pleasure to do business with you.
很高兴与您做生意。
Ha sido un placer hacer negocios con usted.
お取引できて光栄です。
거래하게 되어 기쁩니다.
Many companies are reluctant to do business in that region.
很多公司不愿意在那个地区做生意。
Muchas empresas son reacias a hacer negocios en esa región.
多くの企業はその地域での事業展開に消極的です。
많은 기업이 그 지역에서 사업하는 것을 꺼립니다.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: business, professional, trade

Tone: professional

✓ Do Say

We do a lot of business overseas.
我们在海外做了很多生意。
Hacemos muchos negocios en el extranjero.
海外でたくさんの取引をしています。
우리는 해외에서 많은 거래를 합니다.
It's been great doing business with you.
与您合作非常愉快。
Ha sido estupendo hacer negocios con usted.
お取引できてよかったです。
거래할 수 있어서 좋았습니다.

✗ Don't Say

We make a lot of business overseas. (use 'do' not 'make' with business)
我们在海外make a lot of business。（business搭配'do'而不是'make'）
Hacemos make a lot of business en el extranjero. (se usa 'do' y no 'make' con business)
海外でbusinessをたくさんmakeしています。（businessには'make'ではなく'do'を使います）
We make a lot of business overseas. (business에는 'make'가 아니라 'do'를 씁니다)
We have business together. (use 'do business with' not 'have business')
我们have business together。（用'do business with'而不是'have business'）
Tenemos have business juntos. (se usa 'do business with' y no 'have business')
一緒にbusinessをhaveしています。（'have business'ではなく'do business with'を使います）
We have business together. ('have business'가 아니라 'do business with'를 씁니다)

Origin & History

Long-standing English collocation — 'do' is used with 'business' as a general commercial activity.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal