dāngshìrén: 当事人 - The person(s) concerned, the party (involved)

• Keywords: dāngshìrén, 当事人, meaning of 当事人, party involved in Chinese, legal party Chinese, person concerned in Chinese, Chinese legal terms, dāngshìrén example sentence.
• Summary: “当事人 (dāngshìrén)” is a crucial Chinese term, primarily used in legal, official, and media contexts, to refer to the party or person(s) directly concerned in an incident, dispute, or case. Unlike a general “person involved,” a 当事人 is a central figure—like a plaintiff, a defendant, or the main subject of a news story. Understanding this word is key to comprehending formal Chinese communication regarding accountability and specific events.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dāngshìrén
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The party/parties or person(s) directly involved in or concerned by an event or legal case.
• In a Nutshell: Think of any situation as a story. The 当事人 (dāngshìrén) are the main characters. In a car accident, the drivers are the `当事人`; the witnesses are not. In a contract dispute, the two companies signing the contract are the `当事人`. The term pinpoints the individuals who have a direct stake in the outcome, removing ambiguity and focusing on the core participants.

• 当 (dāng): This character can mean “to be,” “to act as,” or “at that time/place.” In this context, it carries the sense of “at the center of” or “facing” the situation.
• 事 (shì): This means “matter,” “affair,” “incident,” or “event.” It refers to the specific situation at hand.
• 人 (rén): This simply means “person” or “people.”

Combining them, 当事人 (dāngshìrén) literally translates to “the person(s) at the center of the matter.” This beautiful, logical construction makes its meaning very clear.

In Chinese culture, clarity of roles and responsibilities is highly valued, both in social and official settings. The term 当事人 (dāngshìrén) is a reflection of this. It's a precise label that assigns a specific status to an individual within an event, stripping away ambiguity. Let's compare it to English concepts:

• “The person involved”: This is a very general and informal English phrase. You could be “involved” as a witness, a family member, or a bystander. 当事人 is much more specific; you are one of the principal actors.
• “Party” (legal term): This is the closest equivalent, especially in law (e.g., the parties to a lawsuit). However, 当事人 extends beyond the courtroom. The media can refer to the two people in a public argument as `当事人` to maintain a neutral, factual tone, whereas calling them “parties” in English would sound overly legalistic.

Using `当事人` signals a degree of formality and objectivity. It frames the situation as an “incident” (`事`) with central figures (`人`) who are directly facing (`当`) it. This is essential in legal proceedings, administrative matters, and professional journalism.

This term is rarely used in casual, everyday chat between friends unless used humorously. Its primary habitats are formal environments.

• Legal and Police Contexts: This is its most common usage. It refers to the plaintiff, defendant, suspect, victim, or applicant in a case. Police reports and legal documents are filled with this term.
• Media and Journalism: Journalists use `当事人` to refer to the central figures of a news story (e.g., a scandal, a dispute, a viral event). It allows them to report neutrally without immediately labeling someone as a “victim” or “perpetrator.”
• Business and Administration: In contracts, negotiations, or official applications, `当事人` refers to the signatories or the individuals/entities directly engaged in the process.
• Slightly Informal/Humorous Use: In gossip, you might hear someone jokingly ask, “So what does the `当事人` herself say about the rumor?” This intentionally uses a formal word to add a layer of mock-seriousness to the situation.

• Example 1:
  • 警方要求两位当事人都来警察局做笔录。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngfāng yāoqiú liǎng wèi dāngshìrén dōu lái jǐngchájú zuò bǐlù.
  • English: The police requested that both parties involved come to the station to give a statement.
  • Analysis: This is a classic legal/police context. The `当事人` here are the central figures in an incident, such as a traffic accident or a fight.
• Example 2:
  • 作为这起合同纠纷的当事人，我们公司有权要求赔偿。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi zhè qǐ hétong jiūfēn de dāngshìrén, wǒmen gōngsī yǒu quán yāoqiú péicháng.
  • English: As a party to this contract dispute, our company has the right to demand compensation.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the term's use in a business/civil dispute.
• Example 3:
  • 记者多次尝试联系事件的另一位当事人，但未能成功。
  • Pinyin: Jìzhě duōcì chángshì liánxì shìjiàn de lìngyī wèi dāngshìrén, dàn wèi néng chénggōng.
  • English: The reporter tried multiple times to contact the other person concerned in the incident, but was unsuccessful.
  • Analysis: A perfect example from journalism. It's a neutral way to refer to the other key person in the story.
• Example 4:
  • 婚姻是两个当事人的事情，外人最好不要干涉。
  • Pinyin: Hūnyīn shì liǎng ge dāngshìrén de shìqing, wàirén zuìhǎo bùyào gānshè.
  • English: Marriage is a matter for the two people concerned (the couple); outsiders best not interfere.
  • Analysis: Here, `当事人` is used in a more personal but still serious context. It frames marriage as an “affair” (`事`) with two principal actors.
• Example 5:
  • 法官宣布，当事人双方已达成庭外和解。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān xuānbù, dāngshìrén shuāngfāng yǐ dáchéng tíngwài héjiě.
  • English: The judge announced that the two parties had reached an out-of-court settlement.
  • Analysis: `双方 (shuāngfāng)` means “both sides,” and is often used together with `当事人` in legal contexts to refer to the plaintiff and defendant collectively.
• Example 6:
  • 你不是当事人，不了解当时情况有多复杂。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùshì dāngshìrén, bù liǎojiě dāngshí qíngkuàng yǒu duō fùzá.
  • English: You weren't the one directly involved, you don't understand how complicated the situation was at the time.
  • Analysis: This is a powerful way to dismiss someone's opinion by highlighting that they weren't a central figure and therefore lack true understanding.
• Example 7:
  • 如果当事人不同意，这个决定就是无效的。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ dāngshìrén bù tóngyì, zhège juédìng jiùshì wúxiào de.
  • English: If the party concerned does not agree, this decision is invalid.
  • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the rights and agency of the `当事人`.
• Example 8:
  • 学校正在调查这起作弊事件，并约谈了相关当事人。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào zhèngzài diàochá zhè qǐ zuòbì shìjiàn, bìng yuētán le xiāngguān dāngshìrén.
  • English: The school is investigating this cheating incident and has scheduled interviews with the individuals involved.
  • Analysis: Used in an institutional (non-legal) investigation. The `当事人` are the students accused of cheating.
• Example 9:
  • 心理咨询师需要保持中立，不能偏袒任何一方当事人。
  • Pinyin: Xīnlǐ zīxúnshī xūyào bǎochí zhōnglì, bùnéng piāntǎn rènhé yīfāng dāngshìrén.
  • English: A psychological counselor needs to remain neutral and cannot favor either party (client).
  • Analysis: Shows the term's use in a professional, therapeutic context. The “parties” could be a couple in counseling.
• Example 10:
  • 别八卦了，我们去问问当事人到底发生了什么。
  • Pinyin: Bié bāguà le, wǒmen qù wènwen dāngshìrén dàodǐ fāshēng le shénme.
  • English: Stop gossiping, let's go ask the person concerned what actually happened.
  • Analysis: An example of its slightly less formal use, where it still carries a sense of getting the story “from the source.”

• Mistake 1: Using it for any “person involved.”

A common mistake is to think `当事人` means anyone who was present or involved in an event. This is incorrect. A witness is not a `当事人`.

• Incorrect: 警察访问了事故现场的所有当事人，包括几位路人。 (The police interviewed all the parties at the accident scene, including several passersby.)
• Reason: Passersby (`路人 lùrén`) or witnesses (`证人 zhèngrén`) are not the central figures. They didn't cause or directly experience the accident's core action.
• Correct: 警察访问了两位当事人（司机）和几位证人（路人）。 (The police interviewed the two parties involved (the drivers) and several witnesses (passersby).)
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with `本人 (běnrén)` or `自己 (zìjǐ)`.

`本人 (běnrén)` means “oneself / in person” and is used for self-identification on formal documents. `自己 (zìjǐ)` just means “oneself/myself/yourself.” `当事人` is always about one's role *in relation to a specific event*.

• Incorrect: 当事人觉得很抱歉。(The party involved feels very sorry.) → This sounds strange and detached, like a news report.
• Correct: 我自己觉得很抱歉。(I myself feel very sorry.) OR 本人对此事深表歉意。(I (formally) express my deep apologies for this matter.)

• 原告 (yuángào): Plaintiff; the accuser in a lawsuit. A `原告` is always a `当事人`.
• 被告 (bèigào): Defendant; the person being sued or accused. A `被告` is also always a `当事人`.
• 证人 (zhèngrén): Witness. Crucially, a witness is involved in a case but is *not* a `当事人`.
• 受害者 (shòuhàizhě): Victim. A victim is almost always considered a `当事人`.
• 嫌疑人 (xiányírén): Suspect (in a crime). This person is a key `当事人` during the investigation phase.
• 责任人 (zérènrén): The person responsible/liable. This often overlaps with `当事人`, but focuses specifically on who holds the legal or moral responsibility.
• 相关人员 (xiāngguān rényuán): Related personnel; persons involved. This is a much broader and more general term than `当事人`. It can include witnesses, staff, family members, etc.
• 第三方 (dì sān fāng): Third party. An entity that is not one of the two main `当事人`, often brought in to mediate or provide a service.