How to use 1688 in English is a common question among overseas buyers who want to purchase products directly from Chinese suppliers but do not speak Chinese. Fortunately, you do not need to rely entirely on Google Translate or install additional browser extensions.
1688 has a built-in language and purchasing destination setting that allows international buyers to switch the website interface to English. By changing a few settings in the upper-right corner of the homepage, you can access an English-language purchasing experience directly.
This guide explains how to switch 1688 to English, understand the website interface, search for Chinese products, check product specifications, and communicate with Chinese suppliers. It also explains what to do when some product information remains in Chinese.
Does 1688 Have an English Version?
Yes. 1688 provides an English interface through its built-in purchasing destination and language settings.
You do not need to visit a separate English website. You can change the settings directly on the official website.
The website provides an EN/CNY setting in the upper-right corner. From there, you can select your purchasing destination, language, and currency.
For international buyers, the important options are:
- Purchase Destination: Global
- Language: English
- Currency: Your preferred available currency
Once you save these settings, supported website elements can be displayed in English.
This makes browsing categories, navigating product listings, and understanding many of the website’s functions much easier.
However, not every piece of supplier-provided information is necessarily translated. Product images, technical specifications embedded in pictures, and some supplier communications may still contain Chinese text.
How to Change 1688 to English
The easiest way to use 1688 in English is through the website’s built-in EN/CNY settings. You do not need to install a browser extension or translate the entire webpage manually.
Follow these steps on your computer.
Open the 1688 Homepage
First, visit the official 1688 website: https://www.1688.com
Once the homepage loads, look at the upper-right corner of the page.
You should find an option labeled EN/CNY.
Click it to open the purchasing destination and language settings.
Change the Purchase Destination to Global
In the settings panel, find the section labeled Purchase Destination.
You should see two options:
- Mainland China
- Global
Select Global.
This changes the purchasing destination from the mainland China option to the international purchasing experience. For overseas buyers, Global is generally the appropriate selection.
Select English as the Website Language
Next, find the Language section.
Open the dropdown menu and select English.
This setting controls the language displayed by supported website interface elements. You do not need to install any additional translation software to enable this feature.
Choose Your Currency and Save
The final section is Currency.
Select your preferred currency from the available options.
If you are communicating directly with Chinese suppliers, keeping CNY (¥) can be useful because many supplier quotations are based on RMB.
After checking your selections, click Save.
Your website settings should now be updated.
What Happens After Switching to English?
After changing the settings, many visible elements of the website can appear in English, including:
- Navigation menus.
- Product categories.
- Search functions.
- Product listing titles.
- Purchasing and account-related interface elements.
This makes the website considerably easier to navigate.
However, not every piece of supplier-provided information is necessarily translated. Product images, technical specifications embedded in pictures, and some supplier communications may still contain Chinese text.
How to Navigate the 1688 Website in English
Once the website has switched to English, you can start exploring its main functions. Understanding the navigation structure will help you find products and suppliers more efficiently.
Find Goods
The Find Goods section is the main starting point for buyers looking for products.
You can use the search bar to enter product names or keywords. Below the search bar, you will find product recommendations and category navigation.
This is useful when you want to explore different product types or discover new suppliers.
Find Factories
Find Factories helps buyers explore manufacturing suppliers.
If you are looking for manufacturers rather than ordinary trading listings, this section can be a useful starting point. You can compare supplier profiles and investigate whether a supplier offers the manufacturing capabilities you need.
Industrial Supplies
The Industrial Supplies section focuses on industrial products and related purchasing categories.
It may be useful for buyers sourcing machinery components, industrial materials, tools, and other business supplies.
Product Categories
The homepage also organizes products into categories such as:
- Fashion & Apparel
- Food & Beverage
- Home & Garden
- Beauty & Care
- Sports & Outdoor
- Baby & Toys
- Office
- Industrial & MRO
- Electronics
- Auto & Transport
Using these categories can help you explore products without knowing their exact Chinese names.
How to Search for Products on 1688 in English
Even after switching the website interface to English, you may find that searching with English keywords does not always return the most relevant products.
This is because many Chinese suppliers originally create their product titles and descriptions in Simplified Chinese.
For better search results, consider using Chinese keywords when necessary.
Translate English Product Names into Chinese
You can use Google Translate to convert your product names into Simplified Chinese.
Here are some common examples:
| English keyword | Chinese keyword |
|---|---|
| Women’s T-shirt | 女士T恤 |
| Storage box | 收纳盒 |
| LED light | LED灯 |
| Backpack | 双肩包 |
| Stainless steel bottle | 不锈钢水杯 |
| Phone case | 手机壳 |
| Cotton socks | 棉袜 |
| Ceramic mug | 陶瓷杯 |
Copy the Chinese keyword into the 1688 search bar.
You can also experiment with different related keywords to find more product listings.
For example, if you are looking for a storage box, try searching for plastic storage boxes or household organizers using their Chinese equivalents. This can help you discover suppliers whose listings may not appear in an English-language search.
Understand Product Prices and Minimum Order Quantities
When browsing product listings, pay attention to the displayed price and minimum order quantity.
Common Chinese purchasing terms include:
| Chinese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| 起订量 | Minimum order quantity |
| 起批量 | Minimum wholesale quantity |
| 单价 | Unit price |
| 现货 | Ready stock |
| 定制 | Customization |
| 件 | Piece |
| 套 | Set |
| 箱 | Carton |
Do not assume that the lowest displayed price applies to every product variation.
Some suppliers offer different prices depending on quantity, specifications, colors, or packaging. Always check the selected variation and confirm the actual quotation with the supplier.
For more detailed product sourcing advice, see our complete guide to sourcing products from 1688.
How to Understand Chinese Product Details on 1688
Switching the website to English makes product browsing easier, but some important information may still appear in Chinese.
This is particularly common when suppliers place specifications directly inside product images.
Understand Common Product Specification Terms
The following Chinese terms frequently appear in product descriptions and variation options:
| Chinese | English meaning |
|---|---|
| 颜色 | Color |
| 尺码 | Size |
| 规格 | Specification |
| 材质 | Material |
| 款式 | Style |
| 型号 | Model |
| 数量 | Quantity |
| 包装 | Packaging |
| 重量 | Weight |
| 尺寸 | Dimensions |
Understanding these terms helps you avoid selecting the wrong product variation.
For example, a listing may offer several materials, sizes, and colors under the same product page. You should confirm which variation corresponds to the price you want to pay.
Translate Chinese Text Inside Product Images
Some suppliers include important information in product photographs rather than writing everything in the product description.
This may include:
- Product dimensions.
- Material descriptions.
- Technical specifications.
- Packaging details.
- Usage instructions.
You can use Google Translate’s image translation feature or Google Lens to recognize Chinese text.
- Open Google Translate or Google Lens.
- Select Chinese (Simplified) as the source language.
- Select English as the target language.
- Upload the product image or provide the image for text recognition.
- Review the translated information.
For more information, see Google’s official image translation guide.
Remember that machine translation is not always accurate, especially when images contain small text, technical terms, or unusual formatting.
For important product specifications, confirm the details directly with the supplier.
How to Communicate with 1688 Suppliers Without Speaking Chinese
Finding a product is only the first step. You may also need to communicate with the supplier to confirm stock, prices, specifications, and delivery arrangements.
You do not need to speak fluent Chinese to start these conversations. Translation tools can help you write and understand basic supplier messages.
Use Short and Clear Supplier Messages
When communicating with Chinese suppliers, avoid sending long paragraphs containing too many questions.
Instead, separate your questions into smaller messages.
For example:
- Ask whether the product is in stock.
- Confirm the material and dimensions.
- Ask about the minimum order quantity.
- Confirm the price for your intended quantity.
- Ask when the supplier can dispatch the order.
This makes it easier for both parties to understand the requirements.
Useful Chinese Messages for Overseas Buyers
You can copy the following Simplified Chinese messages into your supplier conversations.
| Chinese message | English meaning |
|---|---|
| 请问这款产品有现货吗？ | Is this product currently in stock? |
| 请问这款产品的材质是什么？ | What material is this product made of? |
| 请问这款产品的尺寸是多少？ | What are the dimensions of this product? |
| 请问最低起订量是多少？ | What is the minimum order quantity? |
| 如果购买100件，单价是多少？ | What is the unit price for 100 pieces? |
| 可以先购买一个样品吗？ | Can I purchase one sample first? |
| 支持定制吗？ | Do you support customization? |
| 付款后几天可以发货？ | How many days after payment can you dispatch the order? |
| 请问包装尺寸和重量是多少？ | What are the package dimensions and weight? |
You can also use this complete purchasing inquiry:
你好，我对这款产品感兴趣。请问目前有现货吗？我想先购买100件。请帮我确认产品规格、单价、包装方式和预计发货时间。谢谢！
English meaning:
Hello, I am interested in this product. Is it currently in stock? I would like to purchase 100 pieces initially. Please confirm the product specifications, unit price, packaging method, and estimated dispatch time. Thank you!
What If Some Supplier Messages Remain in Chinese?
If your supplier communicates primarily in Chinese, you can copy individual messages into a translation tool.
For complicated purchasing discussions, pay particular attention to:
- Product specifications.
- Quantity and pricing.
- Customization requirements.
- Production and dispatch schedules.
- Return and refund conditions.
For customized orders, make sure the supplier confirms the final specifications before production begins.
What If Some Parts of 1688 Still Display Chinese?
The built-in English setting can translate many website elements, but it does not guarantee that every supplier-provided detail will appear in English.
If you encounter Chinese content, you can use a few additional methods.
Use Browser Translation
Google Chrome provides a built-in webpage translation feature.
If a section of the 1688 website remains in Chinese:
- Open the page in Google Chrome.
- Look for the Translate icon in the address bar.
- Select English.
- If the prompt does not appear, right-click an empty area of the page.
- Select the option to translate the page into English.
You can also highlight individual Chinese sentences and translate them separately.
See Google’s official Chrome translation guide.
Use Image Translation for Product Specifications
Browser translation cannot reliably translate text embedded inside product images.
For this type of content, use an image translation tool instead. Always check important measurements, materials, and quantities with the supplier before placing an order.
When Should You Use a 1688 Buying Agent?
Many overseas buyers can browse 1688 independently after switching the website to English.
You do not necessarily need a purchasing agent just because the original website is in Chinese.
However, understanding the website is different from managing the entire purchasing process.
If you are purchasing from several suppliers, arranging domestic payments, or coordinating deliveries to a China warehouse, additional assistance may be useful.
When You Can Purchase Independently
You may be comfortable handling your own orders if you can:
- Find the products you need.
- Understand product specifications.
- Communicate basic requirements to suppliers.
- Complete the payment process.
- Arrange domestic delivery and international shipping.
When Professional Purchasing Assistance Makes Sense
A purchasing service may be useful when you need help with:
- Finding suitable Chinese suppliers.
- Communicating product requirements.
- Coordinating purchases from multiple suppliers.
- Arranging RMB payments.
- Following up on supplier orders.
- Receiving goods at a China warehouse.
- Coordinating product inspections.
- Consolidating parcels for international shipping.
How 1688Warehouse Can Help Overseas Buyers
1688Warehouse helps international buyers manage purchasing and logistics in China.
Depending on your requirements, our services include:
- Product sourcing and supplier communication.
- Purchasing assistance and RMB payment support.
- China warehouse receiving.
- Product inspection and photo or video support.
- Parcel consolidation.
- International shipping, including available DDP options.
You can start by sending us your 1688 product links and purchasing requirements.
Our team can help communicate with suppliers, coordinate your purchases, and explain the available warehouse and shipping options.
Explore our 1688 Purchasing Service to learn more.
Frequently Asked Questions About Using 1688 in English
How Do I Change 1688 to English?
Open 1688.com, click the EN/CNY setting in the upper-right corner, change Purchase Destination to Global, select English under Language, choose your preferred available currency, and click Save.
Does 1688 Have an English Website?
1688 provides an English interface through its built-in international purchasing settings. You can switch the supported website interface to English without visiting a separate English domain.
Do I Need Google Translate to Use 1688 in English?
No. The built-in language setting allows you to switch supported website elements to English. Google Translate is useful when product images, supplier descriptions, or other content remain in Chinese.
Does Changing 1688 to English Change the Product Prices?
The Language setting controls the displayed interface language. Currency is a separate setting. If you change the currency display, prices may be shown in another currency, but this does not necessarily change the supplier’s original RMB quotation.
Can I Search for Products on 1688 Using English Keywords?
Yes, but Chinese product keywords may return more relevant results because many suppliers use Simplified Chinese product titles. Translating your search terms into Chinese can help you discover more listings.
Can I Communicate with 1688 Suppliers Without Speaking Chinese?
Yes. You can use translation tools to translate supplier messages and prepare Chinese purchasing inquiries. For complicated specifications or customized orders, make sure all important details are confirmed in writing.
Why Are Some Product Details Still in Chinese?
The Global English interface does not guarantee that all supplier-provided content is translated. Text embedded in product images and some descriptions may remain in Chinese. You can use browser or image translation tools to understand these details.
Do I Need a Buying Agent to Use 1688 in English?
No. Many buyers can use 1688 independently with its built-in English settings. A buying agent becomes useful when you need assistance with supplier communication, purchasing coordination, RMB payments, warehouse receiving, product inspection, or international shipping.
Final Tip: Switching 1688 to English is much easier than many overseas buyers expect. Start with the built-in EN/CNY settings, select Global and English, and use additional translation tools only when necessary. This gives you a much simpler way to explore Chinese suppliers and products.
