Definition
失事 is a formal verb used mainly in news reports about transportation accidents — planes crashing, ships sinking, and sometimes vehicle collisions. It can also mean 'to mess things up' in very informal contexts, but that use is rare. The subject is always the vehicle, not the person.
verb
(formal) to have an accidentto crash (used for planes, ships, and other vehicles)
Easily confused
- 事实shì shísound-alikefact
- 实施shí shīsound-aliketo implement, to carry out
- 实时shí shísound-alike(in) real time; real-time
- 逝世shì shìsound-aliketo pass away (formal, respectful, for VIPs/public figures)
- 时事shí shìsound-alikecurrent affairs; current events
- 适时shì shísound-aliketimely, at the right time
- 时时shí shísound-alikeoften; constantly
Examples
- 失事。Nà jià xiǎoxíng fēijī zài fēixíng túzhōng shī shì le.That small plane crashed mid-flight.
- 失事,。Zhè sōu huòlún zài bàofēngyǔ zhōng shī shì, chuántǐ yánzhòng shòusǔn.This cargo ship met with an accident in the storm and was severely damaged.
- 失事,。Yí liàng kǎchē zài gāosù gōnglù shàng shī shì, dǎozhì jiāotōng zǔsèr zǔsè.A truck had an accident on the highway, causing a traffic jam.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.