事 shì
“matter; thing; item”
noun2021 list level 1Measure word 件 · 桩 · 回
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
事 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 187: 事 shì — Level 1; official annotation 1 (名). PDF page 84
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 事
事 (shì) is the everyday spoken form of 事情 ("matter, thing, business, job"). Its measure word is 件 (一件事), and 有事 means "to be busy / have something on".
例句Example sentences
- 我明天下午有事，不能去。wǒ míng tiān xià wǔ yǒu shì, bù néng qù.I have something on tomorrow afternoon and cannot go.
- 我有一件事想问你。wǒ yǒu yí jiàn shì xiǎng wèn nǐ.There is something I would like to ask you.
- 没事，你不用担心。méi shì, nǐ bú yòng dān xīn.It is nothing; you do not need to worry.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗我要买一点儿事。
✓我要买一点儿东西。
事 is an abstract matter or affair; physical objects you buy are 东西.
易混词Easily confused
事vs东西
事 / 事情 refers to abstract matters, events or tasks; 东西 refers to physical objects and stuff.