Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== dāngshìrén: 当事人 - The person(s) concerned, the party (involved) ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **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. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **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. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **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. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== 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. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 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 Sentences ===== * **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." ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **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.) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * **[[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.