时事

• Pinyin: shí shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 时 = 日 (sun) + 寸 (inch); 事 = pictograph of a hand holding a writing brush, meaning affair

Meaning

Current events; current affairs; news of the day.

Refers to recent events and developments in politics, society, and the world. Commonly used in news media, education, and discussions about what's happening in the world. Often collocates with 新闻 (news) or 政治 (politics).

Examples

1. 她每天早上都会看时事新闻。 She watches current events news every morning.
2. 面试前最好了解一下最近的时事。 It's best to familiarize yourself with recent current affairs before an interview.
3. 老师让我们讨论这周的时事热点。 The teacher asked us to discuss this week's hot topics in current events.

Usage Guide

Context: news, education, discussion

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 你关注时事吗？(Do you follow current events?)
• 时事评论节目很受欢迎。(Current affairs commentary programs are very popular.)

Don't Say

• 我的时事很忙 — 时事 means current events, not personal affairs; use 事情 instead

Origin & History

Compound of 时 (time/current) + 事 (affairs/matters), meaning matters of the current time.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal