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实事 (shí shì) — practical matter; concrete reality; fact; real thing

Definition

A fixed expression meaning 'concrete, real matters' — actions grounded in actual conditions rather than theory or empty talk. Often collocates with 讲, 做, 办 to stress practicality.

noun
practical matterconcrete realityfactreal thing

Examples

  • 实事。
    Zhèng fǔ yào wèi lǎo bǎi xìng zuò shí shì.
    The government should do practical things for the people.
  • 实事。
    Wǒ men shuō huà bàn shì dōu yào jiǎng shí shì.
    We should be practical in both speech and action.
  • 实事，。
    Zhè piān bào dào xiě de dōu shì shí shì, méi yǒu kuā zhāng.
    This report writes about real things, without exaggeration.

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.

实shíreal
事shìmatter

实事 pairs 实 (real) with 事 (matter) for concrete facts.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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 →
Appears in
Abstract Concepts

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