shìwù: 事务 - Affair, Matter, Business, Transaction

Keywords: shiwu, 事务, Chinese for business, Chinese for matter, transaction in Chinese, affair in Chinese, handle affairs, shiwu meaning, 事务 vs 事情, professional matters Chinese, HSK 5

Summary: Learn the Chinese word 事务 (shìwù), a formal term for “affair,” “matter,” or “business,” commonly used in professional, administrative, and technical contexts. This page explores its meaning, character breakdown, and practical usage, clearly distinguishing it from the more general term `事情 (shìqing)`. Discover how `事务` is used in the office, in government, and even in computer science as the word for a “transaction.”

Pinyin (with tone marks): shìwù

Part of Speech: Noun

HSK Level: HSK 5

Concise Definition: A matter, affair, or task, typically of a formal, professional, or official nature.

In a Nutshell: Think of 事务 (shìwù) as the tasks and responsibilities that make up a job or official duty. It's less about a single, random “thing” you have to do (`事情`, shìqing) and more about the structured “business” or “affairs” you need to handle. If you're managing a project, dealing with legal paperwork, or handling company operations, you are dealing with `事务`.

事 (shì): This character means “matter,” “affair,” “event,” or “thing.” It represents a specific event or item of business that needs attention.

务 (wù): This character means “task,” “duty,” or “affair.” It contains the radical for strength (力, lì), emphasizing that this is a task requiring effort and dedication. It's about being engaged in something necessary.

When combined, 事务 (shìwù) literally means “matter-task.” This powerfully conveys the idea of specific matters that require dedicated, structured effort to complete, which is why it's used in formal and professional settings.

The Bureaucratic and Professional Sphere: Unlike culturally deep words like `关系 (guānxi)`, the significance of `事务` is rooted in China's modern, organized, and often bureaucratic society. It reflects an orderly, procedural approach to work and official responsibilities. Using `事务` correctly signals a high level of formality and professionalism.

`事务` is a formal word. You would rarely use it in casual conversation with friends about your personal plans. It's most common in written form or in professional, academic, or official spoken contexts.

`事情 (shìqing)` - The general, all-purpose word for “matter” or “thing to do.” `事务` is a more formal and specific subset of `事情`.

`任务 (rènwù)` - A specific, assigned task or mission. It's more goal-oriented than `事务`, which can refer to ongoing duties.

`业务 (yèwù)` - Business or professional operations, especially the core commercial activities of a company (e.g., sales, services). It's about the type of work a company *does*.

`工作 (gōngzuò)` - Work; a job. This refers to the employment itself, while `事务` refers to the tasks done as part of the work.

`处理 (chǔlǐ)` - To handle, to deal with, to process. This verb is the most common partner for `事务`.

`公务 (gōngwù)` - Official business; government affairs. A more specific type of `事务` related to public or government roles.

`财务 (cáiwù)` - Financial affairs. Another specific type of `事务`.

`事务所 (shìwùsuǒ)` - A firm or office for professional services, directly derived from `事务`. Examples: `律师事务所` (lǜshī shìwùsuǒ) - law firm; `会计师事务所` (kuàijìshī shìwùsuǒ) - accounting firm.