商务合同翻译

• Tranlation of Business Contract

一、商务合同概述

• A contract is an agreement, which legally binds the parties concerned.

• 在由Steven H. Gifts编著的“Law Dictionary”中，contract被定义为 “a promise, or a set

of promises, for breach of which the law gives remedy, or the performance of the which

the law in some way recognize as a duty.”

• 合同是一种承诺，违反承诺可以得到法律救助，在某种意义上，法律将履行该承诺

看作是一种补偿。综上可见，合同是平等主体之间设立的确定民事权利和义务的法

律协议。

• 合同英语属于庄重文体（the frozen style），是各种英语文体中正式程度最高的一种。

总体来说，这种正式性体现在内容的专业性、语言的严谨性和结构的完整性等方面。

合同种类

• 正式合同 Contract (P197)

• 协议书 Agreement

• 确议书 Confirmation

• 备忘录 Memorandum

• 订单 Order

• 意向书 Letter of intent

二、商务合同的构成部分

一.约首(the head)

1.合同名称 Title

2. 前文（前言） Preamble

1) Date of signing

2) Signing parties

3) Each party’s authority 当事人的合法依据

4）Place of signing

5) Recitals or WHEREAS clause 定约缘由

二. 本文（Body)

① 定义条款 （Definition clause)

② 基本条款（Basic conditions)

③ 一般条款（General terms and conditions)

a. 合同有效期限 （Duration)

b. 终止 (Termination)

c. 不可抗力 （Force Majeure)

d. 合同的让与 （Assignment)

e. 仲裁 （Arbitration)

f. 适用法律 （governing law)

g. 诉讼管辖 （Jurisdiction)

h. 通知手续 （Notice)

i. 合同的修改 （Amendment)

j. 其他 （Others)

三.约尾（the tail)

① 结尾语包括合同的份数、使用的文字和效力等 （Concluding sentence)

② 签名 （Signature)

③ 盖印 （Seal)

三、Features of legal documents

1. common words with unusual meaning

• action诉讼alienation转让 avoid取消 counterpart有同等效力的副本

• Prejudice提案 save除了 vacation休庭期间 limitation时效 minor未成年人

• review审查案件，复审 tort侵权

Eg.1. Thank you for your consideration.

• No consideration, no contract.合同无对价不成立。

Eg.2. The testator died without issue.立遗嘱人死亡时没有子嗣.

• The parties could not agree on the issue.

• The passport was issued by the Liverpool office.

2. Old English

To make the compound words by adding after, by, in, of, on, to, under, upon, or with after here,

there, or where

• Hereafter: in this document and after this point 此后, 以后

• Hereby: in this way or by this letter以此, 特此, 由此

• Thereby: by that 按此, 借此, 从而, 由此

• Therefrom: from that从那里

Whereas Party A is willing to employ Party B and Party B agrees to do as Party A’s engineer in

Beijing, it is hereby agrees as follows.

鉴于甲方愿聘请乙方,乙方同意应聘为甲方在北京的工程师,双方协议如下:

In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreement herein contained, the parties agree

as follows.

双方考虑到在此提出的契约和协议, 同意如下条款.

3. Use the synonymous word with its relevant words

• Terms and conditions 条件 null and void 无效free and clear of 无

• able and willing 能够并愿意any duties, obligations or liabilities所有责任

• applicable laws, regulations, decrees, directives, and rules 适用法律法规

• charges, fees, costs and expenses 各种费用 any and all 全部

• covenants and agreements 合同，协议customs and usages 惯例

• import duty and tax 进口税捐keep secret and confidential保密

• licenses and permits 许可packing and wrapping expenses 包装费

• rights and interests 权益settle claims and debts 清理债务

• ships and vessels 船只sign and issue 签发

• support and maintenance 维护use and wont 习惯，惯例

1）This Agreement made and entered into by and between ABC Co. and XYZ Co.

ABC 公司和XYZ公司双方签订本协议。

2）All documents, letters, telegrams and telexes interchanged between both parties before the

signing of the Contract shall become null and void automatically from the date on which the

Contract comes into force.

双方在签约前交换的所有文件、书信、电报和电传，应从本合同生效之日开始自动失效。

4. Latinate words

• alibi—不在犯罪现场 ad hoc – 专门地 de facto --- 事实上的

• bona fide ---真诚的 alias--- 别名 versus---对，诉

eg. He established an alibi to the charge of murder.

• 他提供了谋杀案发生时不在场证明。

• 他证实在谋杀案发生时，他不在场。

5. Formal words

• Compare the following two kinds of words and expressions

1）At the request of Party B, Party A agrees to send technicians to assist/help Party B to install

the equipment.

应乙方要求，甲方同意派遣技术员帮助乙方安装设备

2）Party A shall send back/repatriate the patient to China and bear the cost of his passage to

Beijing.

甲方应将病人遣返中国，负责病人回到北京的旅费。

Failure to notify Party A shall be deemed to be/ be regarded as a material breach of this

agreement.

• 未能按上述要求通知甲方的，则视为构成实质违约。

Enclosed is our new Quotation NO. 475 in lieu of/in place of the previous one.

• 随附我公司第475号报价替代前发的报价单。

Prices are subject to change/alteration with or without notice.

• 不管是否事先通知，价格可随时变动。

宪法优先于其他一切法律

• Constitution is before/ prior to all other laws.

• 任何一方不得在不预先通知的情况下终止合同

• Either party shall not terminate /stop the contract without notice in advance.

– Terminate, stop commence, begin

– be deemed to, be regarded as in lieu of, in place of

– prior to, before whatsoever, whatever

– accomplish, do additional, extra acquire, get

– alteration, change application, use assistance, help

注意may、shall、should、will、may not、shall not等词语的法律内涵

• May、shall、should、will、may not、shall not等词的确很常见，但是在合同中这些

词具有特殊的意义，所以翻译起来要极其谨慎，避免引起纠纷。

a. May：在表示合同上的权利（Right）、权限（Power）或特权（Privilege）的场合中

使用。若表示某种权利在法律上具有强制性的时候，更多的是“be entitled”。

b. Shall：在合同中并不是单纯的将来时，一般用它来表示法律上可以强制执行的义务

（Obligation）。如未履行，即视为违约，并构成某种赔偿责任。所以，shall在译文里，通常

表示“应该”或“必须”，当然，也有不翻译的时候。例如：

• The quality and prices of the commodities to be exchanged between the ex-importers in

the two countries shall be acceptable to both sides.

• 货物的质量和价格必须使进出口双方都能接受。

• The formation of this contract, its validity, interpretation, execution and settlement of

the disputes shall be governed by related laws of the People’s Republic of China.

• 本合同的订立、效力、解释、履行和争议的解决均受中华人民共和国法律的管辖。

shall没有译出。

c. Should：在合同中通常只用来表示语气较弱的假设，多翻译成“万一”或“如果”，

极少译成“应该”。

• The board meeting shall be convened and presided over by the Chairman. Should the

chairman be absent, the vice-Chairman shall, in principle, convene and preside over the

board meeting.

• 董事会会议应由董事长召集、主持；若董事长缺席，原则上应由副董事长召集、主

持。

• The parties hereto shall, first of all, settle any dispute arising from or in connection with

the contract by friendly negotiations. Should such negotiations fail, such dispute may be

referred to the People's Court having jurisdiction on such dispute for settlement in the

absence of any arbitration clause in the disputed contract or in default of agreement

reached after such dispute occurs.

• 双方首先应通过友好协商，解决因合同而发生的或与合同有关的争议。如果协商未

果，合同中又无仲裁条款约定或争议发生后未就仲裁达成协议的，可将争议提交有

管辖权的人民法院解决。

d. Will：一般使用在没有法律强制的情况下，也用做表示承担义务的声明，但语气和

强制力比Shall弱。

e. May not（或shall not）：用于禁止性义务，即“不得做什么”。

• 6. Terminology

• cause of action案由 defendant 被告 appeal 上诉

• damages损失，赔偿金 force majeure不可抗力 …

Indemnity n.

a promise to protect someone from money lost or goods damaged; 赔偿的保证

repayment for this；赔偿金

An insurance contract that promises to pay for the replacement or repair of lost of

damaged goods赔偿物

e.g. to arrange an ~ against loss 办理损失赔偿

to demand an ~ for the delayed payment因延期付款要求赔偿

Money demanded by a victorious nation at the end of a war as a condition of peace is an ~.

战争结束时，战胜国作为和平条件索取之款项称为“赔款”。

Infringement: violation n. 违反；违背；侵犯；侵害

Force majeure: an unexpected and unavoidable event that causes or allows a contract to

be changed or cancelled if it has a force majeure clause.

e.g. As a result of force majeure the transaction was not completed.

基于不可抗力的因素，交易未能完成。

Arbitration : the settling of a dispute by means of a neutral third party rather than by a

court of law. 仲裁（通过中立的第三方不通过法庭解决纠纷）

e.g. They decided to settle the dispute by ~. 他们决定通过仲裁解决争议。

Translation requirements

• 1. Adequate & precise

• Eg. Unless it is legally or physically impossible, the contractor shall execute and

complete the works and remedy the defects therein in strict accordance with the

contract to the satisfaction of the engineer.

• 除法律或条件不允许的情况之外，承包方应严格按合同施工和竣工，并改进工作中

的任何缺陷，达到工程师满意的程度。

• Party A shall send technicians at Party B’s expense to train Party B’s personnel within

30 days after signing the Contract.

• 甲方应于签约后三十天内派遣技术员培训乙方的人员，有关费用由乙方承担。

• This Contract can only be altered, amended or supplemented in accordance with

documents signed and sealed by authorized representatives of both parties.

• 本合同的修改补充应有双方授权代表签名盖章的文件，才能进行

• 合营企业的一切活动应遵守中国人民共和国法律、法令和有关条例规定。

• All the activities of the joint venture, shall comply with the provision of the laws,

decrees and pertinent regulations of the Republic of China.

• 拘役的期限，为十五日以上六个月以下。

• A term of criminal detention shall not be less than 15 days and no more than 6 months.

2、expressiveness & smoothness

• 合同文本是一种法律文件，属于庄严性文体。翻译商务合同时还应该把规范通

顺视为另一大原则。所谓“规范”，是指译文必须符合法律语言的特点，尽量体现出

契约文体的特点。而所谓“通顺”，是指译文应当符合汉语的语法要求，使译文清晰

易懂。

• During the period from the date of effectiveness to the termination of the Contract, the

two Parties shall hold a meeting very year to discuss problems arising form the execution

of the Contract.

原译：在合同生效之日起到合同终止之日的期间内，双方每年举行一次会议，讨论合同

发行中出现的问题。

• 原文在理解上没有什么特别困难的地方，译文意思也算正确，但只对原文逐字逐句

翻译，显得呆板，改译为：

• 本合同有效期间，双方应每年正式会晤一次，以讨论本合同履行期间存在的问题。

• The date of Bill of Lading shall be taken as the conclusive proof of the date of shipment,

six (6) days grace shall be allowed for shipment earlier or later than the time agreed

upon by the Parties. In the event of the goods for one order being shipped in more than

one lot, each lot shall be deemed to be a separate sale on Contract.

• 原译：提单的日期应为交货日期的最后证明。双方允许交货比约定的时间早交或迟

交六天。一次订货多于一批装运，那么，每批货应被当作是合同的单独买卖。

• 原译文表达累赘，结构松散，不合乎汉语契约文体的简约风格。改译为：

• 交货日期以提单所载日期为准，双方同意在合同约定的交货期的基础上，允许有前

后六天的装运宽限期。若一次订货分批装运，则每一批货为合同项下的单独 买卖。

• One-third of the total amount shall be paid with the order when the Contract is signed,

one third by documentary bill when shipment is effected, and the balance by clean bills

when the goods have arrived.

• 合同签订时先预付货款总额的三分之一，装船后凭跟单汇票再付三分之一，剩余的三分之一在货物抵达时凭光票一次性付清。

• 译文充分利用添加的横线部分充分表明了原条款的三个付款阶段：交货前、交货时、

交货后，使得层次清楚，表达通顺。

合同的订立、生效和履行

• 1.This contract is made in two originals that should be held by each party.

• 此合同一式二份，由双方各持一正本。

• 2.What is left unmentioned in contract may be added there as an appendix.

• 本合同未尽事宜，可由双方增补作为合同附件。

• 3.本合同一式四份（正副本各两份）自签署后生效

• The Contract is written in quadruplicate (two for original and copy respectively) which

shall become valid on the date of signature.

• 4.本合同为中英文两种文本，两种文本具有同等效力。本合同一式两份。自双方签

字（盖章）之日起生效。

• This Contract is executed in two counterparts each in Chinese and English, each of which

shall be deemed equally authentic. This contract is in 2 copies effective since being signed by

both parties.

• 5.Unless the terms or context of this contract otherwise provide, all term used in this

Contract shall have the meanings set out in Schedule A hereto.

• 除本合同条款或上下文另有所指，本合同中所有相关用语的定义见附录甲。

• 6.it has full authority to enter into this Contract and to perform its obligations

hereunder;

• 该方有全权订立本合同以及履行本合同项下义务；

2. Modification

• 7.债务人将合同的义务全部或者部分转接给第三方的，应当经债权人同意。

• If the debtor intends to transfer all or part of his obligations under the contract to a

third party, consent shall be obtained from the creditor.

• Where the obligor delegates its obligations under a contract in whole or in part to a

third party, such delegation shall be subject to the consent of the obligee.

• 8. 债权人转让权利的，应当通知债务人。未经通知，该转让对债务人不发生效力。

• Any transfer of rights by a creditor shall be notified to the debtor. The transfer

shall not bind the debtor without such notification.

• Where the obligee assigns its rights, it shall notify the obligor. Such assignment will

have no effect on the obligor without notice thereof.

3. Termination of contracts

• 9. This Contract may be terminated at any time prior to expiration of the Term by the

mutual written contract of the Parties.

• 本合同期限届满之前，双方可通过书面协议随时终止本合同。

• 10. This Contract shall terminate upon the expiration of the Term unless extended

pursuant to Article .(Term).

• 本合同于合同到期日终止，除非双方按照第[ ]条（合同期限的续展）的规定续约。

• 11. 当事人可以约定一方解除合同的条件。解除合同的条件成就时，解除权人可以

解除合同。

• The parties may agree upon conditions under which either party may terminate the

contract. Upon satisfaction of the conditions, the party who has the right to terminate

may terminate the contract.

• 12. Termination of this Agreement for any reason shall be without prejudice to any

right of action vested in either Party at the date of termination.

• 本协议无论因何原因终止，不得损害任何一方在终止协议时的任何的行动权利。

• 13. 合同的权利义务终止，不影响合同中结算和清理条款的效力。

• The termination of rights and obligations under a contact shall not affect the validity of

clauses that related to the final settlement of accounts and winding-up.

4. Liability for Breach of Contract

• 14. 当事人双方都违反合同的，应当各自承担相应的责任。

• If both parties breach a contract, each party shall bear its own respective liabilities.

• 15. If a party fails to perform its obligations under a contract, or its performance fails to

satisfy the terms of the contract, it shall bear the liabilities for breach of contract such as to continue to perform its obligations, to take remedial measures, or to compensate for losses.

• 当事人一方不履行合同义务或者履行合同义务不符合约定的，应当承担继续履行、

采取补救措施或者赔偿损失等违约责任。

• 5. Applicable law and dispute resolution

• 16. Where other laws provide otherwise in respect of a contract, such provisions shall

prevail.

• 其他法律对合同另有规定的，依照其规定。

• 17. 本合同的订立、效力、解释、履行受中华人民共和国法律的管辖。

• The formation, validity, interpretation and execution in respect of this contract shall be

governed by the relevant laws of the People's Republic of China.

• 18. 仲裁裁决是终局的，对双方都有约束力。

• The arbitral award is final and binding upon both parties.