从事

• Pinyin: cóng shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 从 = simplified from 從, meaning to follow; 事 = pictograph of a hand holding a writing instrument, meaning matter or affair

Meaning

To be engaged in; to devote oneself to. A formal way to describe working in a particular field or profession.

A relatively formal verb used to describe one's occupation or professional activities. More formal than 做 (do) when talking about careers. Often followed by a field, industry, or type of work rather than a specific task.

Examples

1. 她从事教育工作已经有二十年了。 She has been engaged in education work for twenty years.
2. 毕业以后他一直从事软件开发的工作。 After graduating, he has been working in software development.
3. 越来越多的人开始从事环保相关的事业。 More and more people are beginning to work in environment-related fields.

Usage Guide

Context: career, professional, interview

Tone: professional

Do Say

• 你现在从事什么工作？(What work are you engaged in now?)
• 他从事医疗行业已经十年了。(He has been working in the medical industry for ten years.)

Don't Say

• 我从事做饭 (Don't use 从事 for daily chores or hobbies — use 做; 从事 is for professional or career-level activities)

Origin & History

Compound of 从 (follow, engage) and 事 (matter, affair), literally 'follow affairs,' meaning to devote oneself to a particular line of work.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal