Chinese word

事

Pronunciation

Pinyinshì

Meaning

  • nounmatter

Example

这件事很重要。zhè jiàn shì hěn zhòng yào

This matter is very important.

Illustration for 事 (matter)

More examples

别把小事放在心上。bié bǎ xiǎo shì fàng zài xīn shàng

Don't worry about small matters.

Core concept

A piece of life that calls for attention, whether it is an event, a task to carry out, or a concern to deal with.

Common phrases

  • 没事méi shì

    it's okay

  • 小事xiǎo shì

    small matter

  • 这事zhè shì

    this matter

Similar words

事情shì qíng: An event or matter that has happened or needs to be dealt with.
问题wèn tí: A problem that needs solving or a question that needs answering.

Definition in Chinese

表示发生的事情或需要处理的事务，既可指具体的事件，也可指日常的用事和抽象的事项。biǎo shì fā shēng de shì qíng huò xū yào chú lǐ de shì wù jì kě zhǐ jù tǐ de shì jiàn yě kě zhǐ rì cháng de yòng shì hé chōu xiàng de shì xiàng

Word origin

The character 事 (shì, "matter") is traditionally traced to an early drawing of a hand carrying out a task, linking today's broad sense with older ideas of work and duty.

Usage tips

  • English matter can mean physical material, but 事 (shì, "matter") stays in the world of happenings, tasks, and concerns.

Other meanings

  • errandnoun
  • eventnoun

Related words

  • 事儿shìrmatternoun

Word lists with this word