事故

• Pinyin: shì gù
• Hanzi breakdown: 事 = pictograph of a hand holding a writing instrument (official duties); 故 = 古 (old) + 攵 (strike)

Meaning

Accident; mishap. Refers to unexpected incidents, especially those causing damage, injury, or disruption.

Most commonly used for traffic accidents (交通事故) and workplace incidents. Carries a negative connotation implying harm or loss. More formal and specific than 意外, which can mean any unexpected event.

Examples

1. 这条路上经常发生交通事故。 Traffic accidents often happen on this road.
2. 那次事故造成了三个人受伤。 That accident caused three people to be injured.
3. 为了避免事故，大家要注意安全。 To avoid accidents, everyone should pay attention to safety.

Usage Guide

Context: news, safety, legal

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 昨天这里发生了一起事故。(An accident happened here yesterday.)
• 事故原因正在调查中。(The cause of the accident is under investigation.)

Don't Say

• 我今天迟到了，是一个小事故。(Don't use 事故 for minor inconveniences like being late — use 意外 or 小问题 instead. 事故 implies serious harm or damage.)

Origin & History

事 means 'matter' or 'incident' and 故 means 'cause' or 'reason'. Together they describe an incident with an identifiable cause, typically implying negligence or misfortune.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal