有事

• Pinyin: yǒu shì
• Hanzi breakdown: 有 = to have; 事 = 一 + 口 + 彐 + 亅, meaning matter/affair

Meaning

To have something to do; to be busy; something's the matter. Indicates having obligations or something is wrong.

Has two main meanings: 1) being occupied/busy (我有事 - I'm busy/have things to do), 2) something is wrong (他有事 - something happened to him). Common phrases: 有事找我 (contact me if you need anything), 有事没事 (whether there's something or not), 有事吗？(What's up?/Is something wrong?).

Examples

1. 今晚我有事，恐怕不能参加你的聚会了。 I'm busy tonight, so I'm afraid I can't attend your party.
2. 如果工作上有事需要帮忙，随时可以打电话给我。 If you need help with work matters, feel free to call me anytime.
3. 看你脸色不太好，是不是有事？ You don't look so good — is something the matter?

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 你有事吗？(Do you need something?/Are you okay?)
• 我今天有事，改天再说。(I'm busy today; let's talk another day.)

Don't Say

• 我有事一本书 — 有事不能带宾语，要说'我有一本书'或'我有事要做'

Origin & History

Compound of 有 (to have) + 事 (matter, thing). Literally 'to have matters,' meaning to be occupied or something is happening.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal