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March 24, 2026
同事tóngshì(tong2shi4)
同事 (tóngshì) refers to a colleague or co-worker, someone you work with in a professional setting. This term is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to describe individuals who share the same workplace, emphasizing collaboration and teamwork.
Frequency#1875DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese workplaces, relationships with 同事 are important for building a harmonious environment, often involving team lunches or gatherings to foster camaraderie.
Memory Tip
Think of 同 (tóng) as 'together' and 事 (shì) as 'affairs' or 'matters,' so 同事 is like 'together in work matters.' Imagine a scene where colleagues are working side by side, enhancing the idea of collaboration.
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AI Study Notes for 同事
Quick Contrast
同伴 (tóngbàn) refers to a companion or partner, typically in a more casual or social context, while 同事 (tóngshì) specifically denotes a colleague in a professional environment.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 同 (tóng) as 'together' and 事 (shì) as 'affairs' or 'matters,' so 同事 is like 'together in work matters.' Imagine a scene where colleagues are working side by side, enhancing the idea of collaboration.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 同事 with 朋友 (péngyǒu), which means 'friend.' While colleagues can become friends, the terms are not interchangeable. Common collocations include '工作同事' (gōngzuò tóngshì) for 'work colleague.'
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 同事 connects well with other workplace vocabulary, such as 工作 (gōngzuò, work) and 办公室 (bàngōngshì, office). Students should focus on using it in sentences about their own work experiences.
Cultural Note
In Chinese workplaces, relationships with 同事 are important for building a harmonious environment, often involving team lunches or gatherings to foster camaraderie.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 同事 with 朋友 (péngyǒu), mistakenly saying '我的同事是我的朋友' (wǒ de tóngshì shì wǒ de péngyǒu), which implies a deeper friendship. Instead, clarify by saying '我的同事是一个好人' (wǒ de tóngshì shì yīgè hǎorén), focusing on the professional relationship.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 同事
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Grammar Patterns of 同事
同事 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
A colleague urged him to see a psychiatrist, but Faulkner refused.
8
哈里森抱怨说他的同事联手对付他。
hā lǐ sēn bào yuàn shuō tā de tóng shì lián shǒu duì fù tā。
Harrison complained that his colleagues ganged up on him.
9
那些被判有罪的人几乎无一例外都是我们的朋友和同事。
nà xiē bèi pàn yǒu zuì de rén jī hū wú yī lì wài dū shì wǒ mén de péng yǒu hé tóng shì。
Almost without exception those convicted were our friends and colleagues.
10
他摸清了自己同事的底细，知道了谁可以信任。
tā mō qīng le zì jǐ tóng shì de dǐ xì， ， zhī dào le shuí kě yǐ xìn。
He susses his colleagues out and he knows who he can trust.
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She was having an affair with someone at work.
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Cultural Notes for 同事
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese workplaces, relationships with 同事 are important for building a harmonious environment, often involving team lunches or gatherings to foster camaraderie.
Frequently Asked Questions about 同事
It is pronounced as 'tóng shì,' with the first tone on 同 and the fourth tone on 事.
Yes, 同事 can be used in both formal and informal contexts when talking about work colleagues.
Yes, 同伴 (tóngbàn) generally refers to a companion or partner, while 同事 specifically denotes a work colleague.
