Well, we weren't talkin' business yet. We were discussin' my curiosity.
——Django Unchained
好了，我们还没在说生意呢。我们就是讨论讨论我的好奇心。
——《被解放的姜戈》
一、下面我们来看看business有几种含义
n.
1.商业，交易，生意，业务 [U] the activity of making, buying, selling or supplying goods or services for money
The store has lost a significant amount of business since the cooperative factory closed last year.
自从去年合作工厂倒闭以来，这家商店失去了大量生意。
2.工商企业；公司；商店；商铺 [C] a commercial organization such as a company, shop / store or factory
The two businesses contracted a merger.
这两家商号立约合并。
3.事务，事情 [U] a matter, an event or a situation
The detectives are digging into this whole business.
侦探们正在彻底地调查这整件事情。
4.任务；职责；工作 [U] something that concerns a particular person or organization
As officials of the town, this was definitely their business.
他们既然是这个城镇的官员，这当然是他们的职责所在。
二、词义辨析：还有以下的词汇能表示“交易”的意思
business, commerce, trade, bargain, deal
这些名词均含“贸易，交易”之意。
business指包括售货、购货、换货在内的综合商业活动，方式可以是批发或零售。
commerce多指大规模的买卖或易货关系。
trade普通用词，含义广。既可指某种具体的商业又可指广泛的贸易。
bargain多指买卖双方通过谈判、协商就商品质量、数量、价格等项达成协议所成的生意。
deal口语用词，指买卖双方经过交涉达成协议成交。
三、下面我们来学习一下含有business的常见短语
business cycle
经济危机周期,工商业景气循环
business executive
企业管理人员
business suit
n.<美>西装
monkey business
n.<口> 胡闹耍骗人的把戏；捣鬼，暗箱操作
show business
n.娱乐性行业
四、学会business的用法了吗？来做个小测试吧
He drummed up some ______ for our company.
他为我们公司拉到了一些生意。