‘内贸’ literally means ‘internal trade’—‘内’ (nèi) means ‘inside’ or ‘domestic,’ and ‘贸’ (mào) is short for ‘贸易’ (màoyì), meaning ‘trade’ or ‘commerce.’ Together, 内贸 refers specifically to the buying and selling of goods and services within a single country’s borders, as opposed to international trade (外贸, wàimào). It covers activities like wholesale distribution, retail sales, logistics, and regulatory compliance among domestic businesses and consumers.

This term is commonly used in business, economics, policy, and news contexts—especially when discussing market regulation, supply chains, or regional economic development. You’ll often see it paired with terms like ‘内贸企业’ (domestic trade enterprise) or ‘内贸市场’ (domestic market). Unlike general words for ‘trade,’ 内贸 carries a formal, institutional connotation and appears mainly in written or professional spoken Chinese—not casual conversation.