Import language traps
Translation mistakes that cost money when importing: how to avoid them
Translation mistakes that cost money when importing usually come from small words that do not line up between English and Chinese. A colour becomes a different shade, a material becomes a weaker grade, packaging becomes the wrong box, and lead time becomes a promise you cannot enforce. This page shows concrete cases and the phrases to check before you pay.
By Renata · October 12, 2026 · 6 min
Colour: when 'blue' is not 蓝色
In Chinese, 蓝色 (lánsè) means blue, but it covers a wide range from sky blue to navy. If you write 'blue' in English, a supplier may confirm 蓝色 and then produce a shade you did not intend. The same happens with 红色 (hóngsè, red) and 绿色 (lǜsè, green). Without a reference, the factory picks the cheapest dye lot.
The fix is to use a colour standard like Pantone, and to write the code in both languages. Ask for 色卡 (sèkǎ, colour card) and 打样 (dǎyàng, sample) before mass production. If you only say 'blue', you have no proof of what you agreed.
- Always attach a Pantone or RAL code to the order.
- Ask for 色差 (sèchā, colour difference) tolerance in writing.
- Check the 确认样 (quèrèn yàng, approval sample) under daylight.
Material: 'cotton' vs 棉 and the blend trap
The English word 'cotton' often means 100% cotton, but in Chinese 棉 (mián) can mean cotton fibre, and 全棉 (quánmián) means pure cotton. A supplier may quote 棉 and deliver a 65/35 blend. The price difference is real, and so is the quality difference.
Another trap is 涤纶 (dílún, polyester) being called 'cotton-like' in English. If you do not specify 成分 (chéngfèn, composition) and 克重 (kèzhòng, weight in grams per square metre), you may get a lighter fabric than you expected. Always ask for a 检测报告 (jiǎncè bàogào, test report) if the material matters.
| English term | Chinese term | What it can mean |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | 棉 (mián) | Cotton fibre, not always 100% |
| Pure cotton | 全棉 (quánmián) | 100% cotton |
| Polyester | 涤纶 (dílún) | Synthetic, often cheaper |
| Cotton blend | 混纺 (hùnfǎng) | Mixed fibres, ratio varies |
| Weight | 克重 (kèzhòng) | Grams per square metre |
| Composition | 成分 (chéngfèn) | Fibre content percentage |
Packaging: 'box' vs 盒, 箱 and 纸箱
In English, 'box' can mean a retail box, a shipping carton, or a gift box. In Chinese, 盒 (hé) is usually a small retail box, 箱 (xiāng) is a carton, and 纸箱 (zhǐxiāng) is a cardboard carton. If you ask for 'boxes' without specifying, you may get 500 retail boxes when you needed 50 cartons.
Packaging also affects cost and lead time. A custom 彩盒 (cǎihé, colour box) needs printing plates and a longer 交期 (jiāoqī, lead time). A plain 白盒 (báihé, white box) is faster and cheaper. Write the packaging type, size, and printing in both languages, and ask for a 包装样品 (bāozhuāng yàngpǐn, packaging sample).
- Specify 内盒 (nèihé, inner box) and 外箱 (wàixiāng, outer carton) separately.
- Ask for 装箱数量 (zhuāngxiāng shùliàng, units per carton).
- Confirm 唛头 (màitóu, shipping marks) before production.
Lead time: 交期 and the promise that slips
交期 (jiāoqī) means lead time or delivery time, but it can refer to when goods leave the factory, not when they arrive at your door. If you ask 'what is your lead time?' and the supplier says 30 days, they may mean 30 days to finish production, not 30 days to your warehouse. Shipping and customs add more.
Another phrase is 尽快 (jǐnkuài, as soon as possible). It sounds helpful but has no date. Always ask for a specific 交货日期 (jiāohuò rìqī, delivery date) and write it into the order. If the supplier says 大概 (dàgài, approximately), treat it as a warning, not a promise.
| English phrase | Chinese phrase | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Lead time | 交期 (jiāoqī) | May mean production only |
| Delivery date | 交货日期 (jiāohuò rìqī) | Clearer, but still needs a contract |
| As soon as possible | 尽快 (jǐnkuài) | No date, no commitment |
| Approximately | 大概 (dàgài) | Vague, can slip weeks |
| Production time | 生产时间 (shēngchǎn shíjiān) | Excludes shipping and customs |
How to check before you pay
You do not need to speak Chinese to reduce these mistakes. You need to slow down and confirm the four areas: colour, material, packaging, and lead time. Write each specification in English, then ask the supplier to repeat it back in Chinese. Use a translation tool for the first pass, but check the characters with someone who reads Chinese if the order value is high.
Renata is Brazilian, studied at Hubei University, and holds HSK 4. That is solid everyday and operational business Chinese, not legal, technical, or sworn-translation level. She can sit in on a live call with your supplier, read and write messages, and explain what an answer really means. She is not a sourcing agent and does not inspect factories, handle samples, arrange freight, or clear customs.
- Ask for every key term in characters, pinyin, and English.
- Keep a written record of what was confirmed.
- If the supplier avoids a written answer, treat it as a red flag.
When to bring in language support
If your order is small and simple, a translation app may be enough. But when you are discussing custom colours, fabric blends, printed packaging, or a tight deadline, a live interpreter can catch misunderstandings before they become expensive. Renata offers live interpreting and message support between a Portuguese- or English-speaking buyer and a Chinese supplier. Remote support is 25 EUR per half hour. On location in the Lisbon area is 45 EUR per hour, minimum 2 hours.
She does not do sworn, certified, legal, or medical document translation. She does not guarantee a supplier or promise a specific outcome. What she can do is help you ask clearer questions and understand the answers, so you can make your own decisions with better information. Contact is only via WhatsApp +351 935 328 206.
Common questions
What is the most expensive translation mistake when importing from China?
The most expensive mistakes usually involve material or colour. If you order 'cotton' and receive a polyester blend, or 'blue' and receive a different shade, you may have to sell at a discount or reject the goods. These errors are hard to fix after production, so confirm the exact Chinese terms and a physical sample before paying.
Can I just use Google Translate for supplier messages?
You can use it for simple messages, but it often misses trade-specific meanings. For example, 'lead time' may be translated as 交期 (jiāoqī), which can mean production time only, not delivery to your door. For anything involving money, deadlines, or custom specifications, it is safer to have a human check the key phrases.
What does 交期 (jiāoqī) actually mean?
交期 (jiāoqī) means lead time or delivery time, but in practice it often refers to when the factory finishes production. It does not automatically include shipping, customs, or delivery to your warehouse. Always ask for a specific 交货日期 (jiāohuò rìqī, delivery date) and clarify what happens if that date is missed.
How do I specify packaging without speaking Chinese?
Use pictures and samples. Ask for 彩盒 (cǎihé, colour box) or 白盒 (báihé, white box) and show a photo of what you want. Confirm 内盒 (nèihé, inner box) and 外箱 (wàixiāng, outer carton) separately, and ask for 装箱数量 (zhuāngxiāng shùliàng, units per carton). A packaging sample, 包装样品 (bāozhuāng yàngpǐn), is worth the cost.
Does Renata provide sworn or certified translation?
No. Renata does not do sworn, certified, legal, or medical document translation. She offers live interpreting and message support for business conversations with Chinese suppliers. Her Chinese is HSK 4, which is operational business level, not legal or technical translation level.
What if I need help on a live call with my supplier?
Renata can join video or WeChat calls to interpret between English or Portuguese and Chinese. Remote support is 25 EUR per half hour. On location in the Lisbon area is 45 EUR per hour, minimum 2 hours. She does not guarantee supplier performance, but she can help you understand what is being said. Contact is only via WhatsApp +351 935 328 206.
Want someone on the call?
Renata joins the call with you and your supplier, reads and writes the Chinese messages, and tells you what the answer really meant. Remote it is 25 EUR per half hour. She is not a sourcing agent and does not do sworn translation.
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