Meaning of 事物
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- thing; object
How to use 事物
事物 is a fairly formal, abstract word used for things or phenomena in general, often in writing, science, or philosophy. It usually appears with words like 新 (new) or 各种 (all kinds of). Example: 孩子对新事物很好奇。(Háizi duì xīn shìwù hěn hàoqí.) Children are curious about new things.
事物 combines 事 (shì, matter or affair) and 物 (wù, thing or object). Together they cover both events and objects, so 事物 means things in general, everything that exists or happens.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 事物 (shìwù) with 食物 (shíwù, food). They sound almost the same, but 事 is fourth tone and 食 is second tone. Also, do not use 事物 for a concrete everyday item like a cup. Use 东西 (dōngxi) instead.
事物 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
事 shì · matter · 8 strokes
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物 wù · thing · 8 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 事物.
| 没事儿 | méishìr | to have spare time; free from work |
| 事情 | shìqing | affair; matter; thing; business |
| 故事 | gùshi | old practice |
| 食物 | shíwù | food |
| 动物 | dòngwù | animal |
| 礼物 | lǐwù | gift; present |
| 好事 | hǎoshì | good action, deed, thing or work (also sarcastic, "a fine thing indeed"); charity |
| 同事 | tóngshì | colleague; co-worker |
| 动物园 | dòngwùyuán | zoo |
| 事实 | shìshí | fact |
| 事实上 | shìshíshang | in fact; in reality |
| 事件 | shìjiàn | incident; event |
Questions about 事物
What does 事物 mean?
事物 (shìwù) means "thing; object" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 事物?
事物 is made of 2 characters: 事 (8 strokes), 物 (8 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 事物 an HSK word?
Yes. 事物 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 事物 and 事情?
事情 (shìqing) means a matter, task, or something that happens, like 我有事情要做 (I have things to do). 事物 is broader and more abstract. It refers to things and phenomena in general, including objects, and sounds more formal.
Can I say 一个事物?
It is possible in formal or academic writing, for example 任何一个事物都有两面 (every thing has two sides). In daily speech people more often use 事物 without a measure word, or switch to 东西 or 事情.