shìqing: 事情 - Thing, Matter, Affair, Business
Quick Summary
Keywords: 事情, shiqing, shìqing, Chinese word for thing, Chinese for matter, what does shiqing mean, how to use 事情, difference between 事情 and 东西, measure word for 事情, HSK1 vocabulary
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 事情 (shìqing), one of the most common nouns for beginners. This page breaks down its core meaning as an abstract “thing,” “matter,” or “affair”—distinct from a physical object. Discover how to use 事情 (shìqing) in daily conversations, from asking “What's the matter?” to talking about your plans, and understand the crucial difference between it and 东西 (dōngxi) to avoid common mistakes.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): shìqing
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 1
Concise Definition: An event, affair, matter, task, or business; a “thing” in the abstract, non-physical sense.
In a Nutshell: 事情 (shìqing) is your go-to word for all the “stuff” you have to do or the “things” that happen in life. It's not a physical object you can touch, but rather an event, a situation, a task, or a matter to be discussed. If you can't put it in a box, but you can put it on a to-do list or tell a story about it, it's probably a 事情 (shìqing).
Character Breakdown
事 (shì): This character means “matter,” “affair,” “event,” or “work.” Think of it as an action or an occurrence that can be recorded or dealt with.
情 (qíng): This character means “feeling,” “emotion,” or “situation.” The radical on the left, `心 (xīn)`, means “heart,” indicating a connection to feelings or the state of things.
Combining 事 (shì), the event itself, with 情 (qíng), the circumstances or situation surrounding it, creates the comprehensive word 事情 (shìqing). It covers both the “what” of an event and the context it exists in, making it a perfect word for any general “matter” or “affair.”
Cultural Context and Significance
The most significant cultural insight 事情 (shìqing) offers is its clear distinction from a physical object. In English, the word “thing” is incredibly ambiguous. “What's that thing over there?” refers to an object, while “The thing is, I'm busy,” refers to a situation.
Chinese forces a clearer distinction. You must choose between:
This isn't just grammar; it reflects a linguistic worldview that categorizes the world into tangible versus intangible “things” from the outset. For a learner, mastering this distinction is a fundamental step toward thinking in Chinese. While Western culture might lump these concepts together for convenience, the Chinese language encourages a base level of specificity about the nature of the “thing” being discussed.
Practical Usage in Modern China
事情 (shìqing) is a high-frequency word used in virtually all informal and most formal contexts.
Asking “What's the matter?”: A very common way to check on someone is to ask `有什么事情吗？ (Yǒu shé me shìqing ma?)` or more simply, `什么事？ (Shénme shì?)`. It's a neutral way to inquire about a situation.
Talking About Tasks and Responsibilities: This is perhaps its most common use. It's the “things” on your to-do list.
`我今天有很多事情要做。` (I have many things to do today.)
`这是我的事情，不用你管。` (This is my business/affair, you don't need to worry about it.)
Describing an Event or Incident: It's used to narrate something that happened.
`昨天发生了一件好笑的事情。` (A funny thing happened yesterday.)
Connotation: 事情 is inherently neutral. Its connotation is determined by the adjectives used with it.
Positive: `好事情 (hǎo shìqing)` - a good thing/deed
Negative: `坏事情 (huài shìqing)` - a bad thing/deed
Important: `重要的事情 (zhòngyào de shìqing)` - an important matter
Trivial: `小事情 (xiǎo shìqing)` - a small matter, no big deal
Example Sentences
Example 1:
你找我有什么事情吗？
Pinyin: Nǐ zhǎo wǒ yǒu shé me shìqing ma?
English: Is there something you wanted to see me about? (Lit: You look for me, have what matter?)
Analysis: This is a very common and polite way to ask someone why they are seeking you out. It's neutral and standard in both casual and work settings.
Example 2:
我今天有很多事情要处理。
Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān yǒu hěn duō shìqing yào chǔlǐ.
English: I have a lot of things to take care of today.
Analysis: A classic example of 事情 meaning “tasks” or “matters.” The verb `处理 (chǔlǐ)` means “to handle” or “to deal with” and pairs perfectly with 事情.
Example 3:
这不是一件小事情，我们必须认真对待。
Pinyin: Zhè bùshì yī jiàn xiǎo shìqing, wǒmen bìxū rènzhēn duìdài.
English: This is not a small matter; we must take it seriously.
Analysis: Note the use of the measure word `件 (jiàn)`. This is the most common measure word for 事情. `一件事情` means “one matter/affair.”
Example 4:
他把事情的经过告诉了我。
Pinyin: Tā bǎ shìqing de jīngguò gàosùle wǒ.
English: He told me the whole story of what happened.
Analysis: Here, 事情 refers to a specific event or incident. `经过 (jīngguò)` means the “course” or “process,” so `事情的经过` means “the story/process of the matter.”
Example 5:
别担心，没什么大事情。
Pinyin: Bié dānxīn, méishénme dà shìqing.
English: Don't worry, it's not a big deal.
Analysis: `没什么大事情` is a common colloquial phrase to reassure someone that a situation is not serious.
Example 6:
事情变得越来越复杂了。
Pinyin: Shìqing biàn dé yuè lái yuè fùzá le.
English: The situation is getting more and more complicated.
Analysis: Here, 事情 is used to mean “the situation” or “the state of affairs.” It's the subject of the sentence.
Example 7:
关于这件事情，你有什么看法？
Pinyin: Guānyú zhè jiàn shìqing, nǐ yǒu shé me kànfǎ?
English: Regarding this matter, what's your opinion?
Analysis: A great sentence pattern for meetings or discussions. `关于 (guānyú)` means “regarding” or “about.”
Example 8:
自己的事情自己做。
Pinyin: Zìjǐ de shìqing zìjǐ zuò.
English: Do your own things yourself. (Take care of your own business.)
Analysis: A common saying that promotes responsibility and independence. It's often said to children or used to express that someone should handle their own problems.
Example 9:
只要我们一起努力，没有解决不了的事情。
Pinyin: Zhǐyào wǒmen yīqǐ nǔlì, méiyǒu jiějué bùliǎo de shìqing.
English: As long as we work hard together, there's nothing that can't be solved.
Analysis: This inspirational sentence shows 事情 used in a negative potential complement structure (`解决不了的 - can't be solved`). It refers to “problems” or “challenges.”
Example 10:
我得先去办一件事情，晚点回来。
Pinyin: Wǒ děi xiān qù bàn yī jiàn shìqing, wǎndiǎn huílái.
English: I have to go take care of something first, I'll be back later.
Analysis: `办事情 (bàn shìqing)` is a very common verb-object phrase meaning “to handle a matter” or “to run an errand.”
Nuances and Common Mistakes
This is the single most common mistake for English speakers. You cannot use 事情 for a physical object.
Incorrect: 我的桌子上有很多事情。 (Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu hěn duō shìqing.)
Why it's wrong: This literally means “There are many matters/affairs on my desk,” which sounds nonsensical.
Correct: 我的桌子上有很多东西。 (Wǒ de zhuōzi shàng yǒu hěn duō dōngxi.) → “There are many things/objects on my desk.”
Forgetting the Measure Word `件 (jiàn)`
When you want to count “matters” or refer to a single, specific event, you need the measure word `件 (jiàn)`.
Incorrect: 我要告诉你一个事情。 (Wǒ yào gàosù nǐ yīgè shìqing.) → Using `个 (gè)` is a very common beginner error but sounds unnatural.
Correct: 我要告诉你一件事情。 (Wǒ yào gàosù nǐ yī jiàn shìqing.) → “I want to tell you one thing/matter.”
东西 (dōngxi) - The direct counterpart to
事情. It means “thing” in the physical, tangible sense. The most important distinction to learn.
事儿 (shìr) - A colloquial, often northern, version of
事情, created by adding the `儿 (er)` sound. It's very common in spoken language, especially in Beijing. e.g., `没事儿 (méi shìr)` for “no problem.”
事件 (shìjiàn) - A more formal word for “event” or “incident.” You would use this for a significant happening, like a historical event, a major news story, or a serious incident.
问题 (wèntí) - Means “problem,” “issue,” or “question.” A
问题 is a specific type of
事情 that requires a solution or an answer.
情况 (qíngkuàng) - Means “situation” or “circumstances.” It focuses more on the state of affairs or the context, while
事情 focuses more on the event or task itself.
事务 (shìwù) - A formal term for “affairs” or “business,” often used in official, legal, or administrative contexts (e.g., `国家事务` - state affairs).
办 (bàn) - A verb meaning “to handle,” “to manage,” or “to do.” It is frequently paired with
事情 in the phrase `办事情 (bàn shìqing)`, meaning “to handle matters.”