Chinese word

事情

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì qíng

Meaning

  • nounmatter

Example

这件事情很复杂，我们慢慢说。zhè jiàn shì qíng hěn fù zá wǒ men màn màn shuō

This matter is complicated, so let's take our time discussing it.

Illustration for 事情 (matter)

More examples

别为这点小事情太担心。bié wèi zhè diǎn xiǎo shì qíng tài dān xīn

Don't worry too much about this little matter.

Core concept

The full story behind a matter, including what occurred and the conditions around it.

Common phrases

  • 小事情xiǎo shì qíng

    minor matter

  • 大事情dà shì qíng

    big issue

Similar words

情况qíng kuàng: The current state or conditions of a person, place, or matter.
问题wèn tí: A difficult matter that needs attention or a solution.
原因yuán yīn: The reason or underlying factor that makes an event or condition happen.
事件shì jiàn: A specific event treated as one particular case.

Definition in Chinese

指影响当前情形的事实与来由，用来说明一件事的经过、原因或背景情况。zhǐ yíng xiǎng dāng qián qíng xíng de shì shí yǔ lái yóu yòng lái shuō míng yí jiàn shì de jīng guò yuán yīn huò bèi jǐng qíng kuàng

Word origin

In 事情 (shìqíng, "matter"), 事 (shì, "event") + 情 (qíng, "circumstances") presents an event together with the surrounding situation that gives it meaning.

Usage tips

  • English often chooses different nouns for an event, its cause, or its background, while Chinese can gather these connected parts under one word.

Other meanings

  • situationnoun
  • thingnoun

Word lists with this word