事 — meaning in English: thing

shì · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for thing

案件

ànjiàn

事

shì

创作

chuàngzuò

危险

wéixiǎn

电话

diànhuà

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers frequently use 事 (shì) in everyday conversations when discussing tasks, events, or items. For instance, a parent might say, '我有很多事要做' (wǒ yǒu hěn duō shì yào zuò), meaning 'I have many things to do.' It can also appear in more formal contexts, such as business meetings when discussing projects or issues.

Synonyms & nuances

A close synonym is 物 (wù), which also means 'thing' but often refers specifically to physical objects. In contrast, 事 (shì) is broader and can include concepts, events, or matters, making it more suitable for discussing activities or tasks.

Culture

The character 事 (shì) has its roots in ancient Chinese, originally depicting a person with a flag, indicating action or events. Interestingly, the concept of 'thing' in Chinese often encompasses both tangible and intangible objects, reflecting the holistic view of activities in Chinese culture. This versatility makes it a fundamental part of everyday language.

FAQ

Q.What does 事 (shì) mean in English?

事 (shì) translates to 'thing' in English, but can also refer to matters or events depending on the context.

Q.Can 事 (shì) be used to refer to emotions?

No, 事 (shì) typically refers to tasks, events, or items, rather than emotions. For feelings, you might use 情感 (qínggǎn) or 感觉 (gǎnjué).

Q.How do you use 事 (shì) in a sentence?

You can use 事 (shì) in sentences such as '这件事很重要' (zhè jiàn shì hěn zhòngyào), meaning 'This matter is very important.'

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