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事态 (shì tài) — situation; state of affairs (often of a serious or evolving nature)

Definition

A formal written word for a serious or developing 'situation', often with a sense of alarm. Heavier than 情况; 比 局势 and 态势 narrower in scope — typically a single unfolding crisis rather than a broad trend.

noun
situationstate of affairs (often of a serious or evolving nature)

Examples

  • 事态。
    shì tài De fā zhǎn chāo chū le wǒ men de yù liào.
    The development of the situation exceeded our expectations.
  • 事态。
    Zhèng fǔ zhèng zài mì qiè guān zhù shì tài de biàn huà.
    The government is closely monitoring the changes in the situation.
  • 事态，。
    Rú guǒ shì tài jì xù è huà, wǒ men bì xū cǎi qǔ xíng dòng.
    If the situation continues to deteriorate, we must take action.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

事shìaffairs
态tàistate

'事' refers to affairs, and '态' is their state or condition, giving the state of affairs.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

In 事, 又 is a hand and 中 is a flagpole with a drum; holding a flag in hand depicts performing a job.

Open 事 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
心心xīnheart
Sound part声符shēngfú
太
太tài态tài
Same sound today

态 is made of 太, which gives the sound, and 心 (heart).

Open 态 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9HSK 2.0 Level 6Abstract Concepts

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