youshi: 有事 - To be busy, Occupied; To have something on; Something has happened

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• Summary: Discover the meaning of yǒushì (有事), one of the most versatile and essential phrases in Mandarin Chinese. While it literally means “to have a matter,” it's used to say you're busy, to politely ask someone “what's up?”, or to subtly imply that something is wrong. Understanding yǒushì is key to navigating everyday conversations, declining invitations gracefully, and grasping the indirect nature of Chinese communication. This guide will break down its uses, cultural context, and common mistakes for learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yǒushì
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: To be occupied with a matter; to have something to do or something that has happened.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, `有事` means “to have a matter” or “to have an affair.” This “matter” can be anything from a specific appointment or task to a vague problem or an unstated reason for being unavailable. It's the standard, all-purpose phrase for explaining that you are not free, or for asking if someone else is available to talk. It is less about the feeling of being overwhelmed (like `忙`, máng) and more about the state of being occupied.

• 有 (yǒu): Meaning “to have” or “to exist.” The character is a pictograph of a hand (又) holding a piece of meat (月). In ancient times, possessing meat was a clear symbol of having or owning something.
• 事 (shì): Meaning “matter,” “affair,” “business,” “thing,” or “event.” It represents an event or a task that needs attention.
• When combined, 有事 (yǒushì) literally translates to “to have a matter.” This simple and direct combination perfectly captures the idea of being occupied with something, whether it's a planned event, a sudden issue, or a task at hand.

• Politeness and Indirectness: `有事` is a cornerstone of indirect communication in Chinese culture. Saying `我今天有事 (Wǒ jīntiān yǒushì)` — “I have something on today” — is a perfectly polite and complete way to decline an invitation. It avoids the need to provide a specific, potentially awkward excuse. This protects the “face” (`面子`, miànzi) of both parties; the person inviting isn't directly rejected, and the person declining doesn't have to lie or overshare.
• Contrast with Western Directness: In many Western cultures, a vague “I'm busy” might be seen as slightly evasive. It's common to offer a more specific (though not always true) reason, like “I have a doctor's appointment” or “I have to work late.” In China, `有事` is the accepted, non-confrontational, and harmonious way to signal unavailability. It respects privacy and avoids putting others on the spot.
• Opening a Conversation: Asking someone `你找我有事吗？ (Nǐ zhǎo wǒ yǒushì ma?)` is a softer, more common alternative to the direct English “What do you want?”. It implies, “You've sought me out, is there a matter to discuss?” It's a neutral way to inquire about someone's purpose without sounding demanding.

`有事` is an everyday phrase used across all contexts, from casual chats with friends to more formal workplace interactions.

• To State Unavailability (Being “Busy”): This is the most common usage. It's a standard way to say you're not free.
  • Connotation: Neutral, Polite
  • Example: When a friend asks you to dinner, you can reply, `不好意思，我今晚有事。 (Bùhǎoyìsi, wǒ jīnwǎn yǒushì.)` - “Sorry, I have something on tonight.”
• To Inquire About Someone's Purpose (Asking “What's up?”): When someone calls you or approaches you unexpectedly, you use this to ask why.
  • Connotation: Neutral, Inquisitive
  • Example: `你打电话来有事吗？ (Nǐ dǎ diànhuà lái yǒushì ma?)` - “Is there something you called about?”
• To Imply a Problem or Emergency: The context and tone of voice can change the meaning to “something is wrong” or “a problem has occurred.”
  • Connotation: Negative, Concerned
  • Example: `他看起来很着急，家里可能出事了。 (Tā kànqǐlái hěn zháojí, jiālǐ kěnéng chūshì le.)` - “He looks very anxious, something might have happened at home.” Note the common pairing with `出 (chū)`.

• Example 1:
  • 我明天下午有事，不能和你一起喝咖啡了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ míngtiān xiàwǔ yǒushì, bùnéng hé nǐ yīqǐ hē kāfēi le.
  • English: I have something on tomorrow afternoon, so I can't go for coffee with you.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, polite refusal. The speaker doesn't need to specify what the “matter” is.
• Example 2:
  • 你现在有事吗？我们能聊聊吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiànzài yǒushì ma? Wǒmen néng liáoliao ma?
  • English: Are you busy right now? Can we talk for a bit?
  • Analysis: A very common and polite way to check for someone's availability before starting a conversation. It's the opposite of `有空 (yǒukòng)`.
• Example 3:
  • A: 喂？ B: 喂，王经理，是我，小李。您找我有事吗？
  • Pinyin: A: Wéi? B: Wéi, Wáng jīnglǐ, shì wǒ, Xiǎo Lǐ. Nín zhǎo wǒ yǒushì ma?
  • English: A: Hello? B: Hello, Manager Wang, it's me, Xiao Li. Were you looking for me about something?
  • Analysis: Here, `有事吗?` is used to politely ask a superior for the reason they were looking for them. The formal `您 (nín)` is also used.
• Example 4:
  • 我看你脸色不太好，是有事吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kàn nǐ liǎnsè bù tài hǎo, shì yǒushì ma?
  • English: You don't look so good. Is something the matter? / Is something wrong?
  • Analysis: In this context, `有事` clearly implies a problem or source of worry, prompted by a visual cue (the person's expression).
• Example 5:
  • 要是有事，你就给我打电话。
  • Pinyin: Yàoshi yǒushì, nǐ jiù gěi wǒ dǎ diànhuà.
  • English: If anything comes up, just give me a call.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates how `有事` can mean “anything” (in the sense of a problem or a need). It's an open-ended offer of help.
• Example 6:
  • 我有事想请你帮忙。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǒushì xiǎng qǐng nǐ bāngmáng.
  • English: I have a matter I'd like to ask for your help with.
  • Analysis: This is a common and polite way to preface a request for help. It sets the expectation that you are about to ask for a favor.
• Example 7:
  • A: 对不起，我来晚了。 B: 没事，会议还没开始。
  • Pinyin: A: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ lái wǎn le. B: Méishì, huìyì hái méi kāishǐ.
  • English: A: Sorry, I'm late. B: It's no problem, the meeting hasn't started yet.
  • Analysis: This shows the negative form, `没事 (méishì)`, which is the perfect response to an apology. It means “it's not a matter” or “it's nothing.”
• Example 8:
  • 他说他有事要先走一步。
  • Pinyin: Tā shuō tā yǒushì yào xiān zǒu yībù.
  • English: He said he has something to do and needs to leave a bit early.
  • Analysis: A common way to explain why someone is leaving a social gathering or meeting before it's over.
• Example 9:
  • 你先忙你的吧，我的不是什么要紧事。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiān máng nǐ de ba, wǒ de bùshì shénme yàojǐn shì.
  • English: You go ahead and take care of your business, my thing isn't anything important.
  • Analysis: While not using the exact `有事` phrase, this sentence shows the core concept of `事 (shì)` as a “matter” and contrasts it with `要紧事 (yàojǐn shì)`, an “important matter.”
• Example 10:
  • 你是不是有事瞒着我？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shìbushì yǒushì mán zhe wǒ?
  • English: Are you hiding something from me?
  • Analysis: This is a more confrontational use. Here, `有事` refers to a secret or a problem that the speaker suspects is being concealed.

• `有事 (yǒushì)` vs. `忙 (máng)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
  • `忙 (máng)` is an adjective describing the *feeling* of being busy, having a high workload, or being rushed.
  • `有事 (yǒushì)` is a verb phrase describing the *state* of being occupied by a specific (often unstated) event, appointment, or task.
  • Example: You can be very `忙` at work but still be able to take a quick call. However, if you `有事` (e.g., in a meeting), you are truly unavailable.
  • Correct: `我今天很忙，但我们还是可以聊五分钟。` (I'm busy today, but we can still talk for 5 minutes.)
  • Correct: `我现在有事，晚点再聊。` (I'm occupied with something right now, let's talk later.)
• `有事 (yǒushì)` vs. `出事 (chūshì)`:
  • `有事` can be neutral (I'm busy) or imply a vague problem.
  • `出事 (chūshì)` is almost always negative and serious. It means “to have an accident,” “for a disaster to strike,” or “to get into trouble.”
  • Vague/Busy: `他今天有事，没来上班。` (He's busy/has something on today, so he didn't come to work.)
  • Serious/Accident: `他出事了，现在在医院。` (He had an accident, he's in the hospital now.)
• Grammar Mistake: Using `事` as an adjective.
  • Learners sometimes try to say “I am busy” by saying `我很事 (Wǒ hěn shì)`. This is incorrect. `事` is a noun. The correct ways are `我很有事` (rarely used), `我有很多事` (I have a lot to do), or simply `我有事` (I'm occupied).

• `没事 (méishì)` - The direct opposite of `有事`. It means “to be free,” “it's nothing,” “no problem,” or “I'm okay.”
• `有空 (yǒukòng)` - The direct antonym. Means “to have free time.” If you don't `有事`, you `有空`.
• `忙 (máng)` - The adjective for “busy.” Describes the feeling of having a lot to do, often used with `有事`.
• `事情 (shìqing)` - A more formal and complete noun for “matter,” “affair,” or “thing.” `我有一件事情要告诉你。` (I have one thing to tell you.)
• `出事 (chūshì)` - A more specific and negative term meaning “to have an accident” or “for something bad to happen.”
• `办事 (bànshì)` - A verb meaning “to handle an affair” or “to run an errand.” This is what you do when you `有事`.
• `请假 (qǐngjià)` - To ask for leave (from work or school). You often `请假` because you `有事`.
• `面子 (miànzi)` - The concept of “face” or social reputation, which using `有事` helps to preserve.
• `麻烦 (máfan)` - “Trouble” or “bothersome.” If you `有事`, it could be a `麻烦事` (a troublesome matter).