Essential contract vocabulary in Chinese, covering the basics, key clauses, contract status, and the actions parties take — the terms that show up most often in business agreements, employment contracts, and NDAs. Tap the speaker icon to hear anything read aloud.
FAQ
Why Do Taiwan and China Use Different Words for “Contract”?
Unlike most legal vocabulary, which only differs by script, “contract” is a genuine word-choice divergence. Taiwan predominantly says 合約合约 or the more formal 契約契约, while mainland China standardized on 合同合同 — the term used throughout Chinese statutes and business filings. All three words are valid Chinese for the same concept; they just fell out of even use on each side of the strait, which is why the vocabulary below uses 合約 for Taiwan and 合同 for mainland China rather than a script-only pair.
01
Contract Basics Vocabulary
合約基本詞彙合同基本词汇
合約合同contract
書面合約书面合同written contract
口頭合約口头合同verbal contract
我們已經簽了合約我们已经签了合同
We’ve already signed the contract.
甲方甲方Party A
甲方代表甲方代表Party A’s representative
甲方需要在三十天內付款甲方需要在三十天内付款
Party A must pay within thirty days.
乙方乙方Party B
乙方義務乙方义务Party B’s obligations
乙方負責提供服務乙方负责提供服务
Party B is responsible for providing the service.
02
Key Clauses Vocabulary
合約條款詞彙合同条款词汇
條款条款clause
保密條款保密条款confidentiality clause
違約條款违约条款breach clause
請仔細閱讀每一條條款请仔细阅读每一条条款
Please read every clause carefully.
不可抗力不可抗力force majeure
不可抗力條款不可抗力条款force majeure clause
疫情被視為不可抗力事件疫情被视为不可抗力事件
The pandemic was regarded as a force majeure event.
準據法准据法governing law
管轄權管辖权jurisdiction
這份合約的準據法是香港法律这份合同的准据法是香港法律
This contract’s governing law is Hong Kong law.
03
Contract Status Vocabulary
合約狀態詞彙合同状态词汇
違約违约breach of contract
違約金违约金breach penalty
違約責任违约责任liability for breach
如果違約，需要支付違約金如果违约，需要支付违约金
If the contract is breached, a penalty must be paid.
終止终止termination
提前終止提前终止early termination
雙方同意終止合約双方同意终止合同
Both parties agreed to terminate the contract.
續約续约contract renewal
自動續約自动续约automatic renewal
合約到期後會自動續約合同到期后会自动续约
The contract will automatically renew after it expires.
04
Contract Actions Vocabulary
合約行為詞彙合同行为词汇
履行履行to perform / fulfill
履行義務履行义务to fulfill obligations
雙方都必須履行合約義務双方都必须履行合同义务
Both parties must fulfill their contractual obligations.
修改修改to amend
修改條款修改条款to amend a clause
我們需要修改第三條條款我们需要修改第三条条款
We need to amend clause three.
賠償赔偿damages / compensation
損害賠償损害赔偿damages
法院判決被告支付賠償法院判决被告支付赔偿
The court ruled the defendant must pay damages.
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