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business relationship

business relationship

18 3.2
A formal agreement between two people or companies to work together
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪz.nɪs rɪˈleɪ.ʃən.ʃɪp/
translation icon : relación comercial
  • This is strictly a business relationship.
  • a close business relationship

But in the same way, you know, he, I don't have any business relationship with him.

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Examples

  • It is difficult for me to continue our business relationship when I do not know your methods.

  • We need to retain our business relationship.

  • I mean, maybe she had a business relationship with this person.

  • Since when have we had a business relationship?

  • I just want you to remember that this is a business relationship.

  • Consider it an investment in the future of a fine business relationship.

  • Most of them have been developing business relationships with China.

    Academic text (1992)
  • I'm willing to take less to establish a business relationship.

  • I'm convinced that the foundation of a good business relationship rests on fairness and integrity.

    Blog text (10)
  • We need to formalize our business relationship to ensure both parties are clear on the terms.

Synonyms

relationship
vsbusiness relationship
1.7

A connection between people, groups, or countries that shows how they interact

is a narrower formal agreement for regular paid services
relation
vsbusiness relationship
745 2.8

How people, groups, or countries are connected and act toward each other

is a specific formal arrangement for repeated professional or commercial services
business relation
vsbusiness relationship
1 2.9

A connection between companies that helps them work together

is a formal service arrangement often set out in a contract
professional relation
vsbusiness relationship
4.8

A relationship between a trained helper and a person who gets their help, like a doctor or lawyer

is an ongoing formal service arrangement often governed by contract

How Close

partnership
214 2.7
business relationship
18 3.2
joint venture
29 4.4
transaction
236 3.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

business + relationship

The meaning is directly and compositionally derived from 'business' (commercial activity) + 'relationship' (how parties interact): it simply denotes an interaction or connection in a commercial/professional context. This noun+noun combination follows standard English compounding patterns and has clear, cross-linguistic equivalents, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

Business relationship paints a simple picture: two people doing business together and keeping a steady relationship, like partners who shake hands and follow a written 'contract'. So it means 'a formal arrangement to work together regularly'.