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March 24, 2026
事故shìgù(shi4gu4)
事故 (shì gù) refers to an unexpected event or mishap, often resulting in damage or injury. It is commonly used in contexts involving transportation, workplace incidents, or any unforeseen events that disrupt normal operations.
Frequency#1820DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about 事故 often highlight the importance of safety regulations, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and industrial growth. There is a strong societal emphasis on preventing accidents, particularly in transportation and workplace environments.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'shiny goat' (sounds like 'shi4 gu4') that causes an accident while trying to cross the road. The goat represents unpredictability, which aligns well with the idea of an accident. Visualize this goat causing a chaos, linking the image to the word.
Meanings of 事故
shìgù(shi4gu4)
1accident
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About 事故
事故Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1820Frequency Rank
桩Measure Word
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 事故
Podcast: 事故
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AI Study Notes for 事故
Quick Contrast
意外 (yìwài): use 事故 (shìgù) when specifically referring to an event with negative consequences, while 意外 (yìwài) can imply surprise without necessarily negative outcomes.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'shiny goat' (sounds like 'shi4 gu4') that causes an accident while trying to cross the road. The goat represents unpredictability, which aligns well with the idea of an accident. Visualize this goat causing a chaos, linking the image to the word.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 事故 with other terms like 意外 (yì wài), which means 'unexpected' but does not always imply damage. 事故 is often used in formal contexts, such as news reports or official statements. Common collocations include 交通事故 (traffic accident) and 工伤事故 (workplace accident).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 事故 connects with other advanced vocabulary related to law, safety, and emergency responses. Focus on its usage in formal settings and practice forming sentences that include related terms to enhance comprehension.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussions about 事故 often highlight the importance of safety regulations, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and industrial growth. There is a strong societal emphasis on preventing accidents, particularly in transportation and workplace environments.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 事故 with 事件 (shìjiàn), which means 'event' and lacks the negative connotation. For example, saying '我参加了一个事故' (Wǒ cānjiāle yīgè shìgù) is incorrect; use '事件' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 事故
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Grammar Patterns of 事故
事故 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 2 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.
5,000 people die every year because of accidents in the home.
9
安德鲁在那次事故后就只能呆在轮椅上了。
ān dé lǔ zài nà cì shì gù hòu jiù zhī néng dāi zài lún yǐ shàng le。
Andrew has been left wheelchair-bound after the accident.
10
那起事故仿佛是过去灾难的重现。
nà qǐ shì gù fǎng fó shì guò qù zāi nán de zhòng xiàn。
The accident has echoes of past disasters.
Cultural Notes for 事故
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussions about 事故 often highlight the importance of safety regulations, especially in the context of rapid urbanization and industrial growth. There is a strong societal emphasis on preventing accidents, particularly in transportation and workplace environments.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, the concept of an 'accident' might be treated more lightly, often resulting in humorous anecdotes, while in Chinese culture, it tends to carry serious implications and calls for immediate attention.
Frequently Asked Questions about 事故
You can say, '昨天发生了一起交通事故' (Zuótiān fāshēngle yī qǐ jiāotōng shìgù), meaning 'An accident occurred yesterday.'
Yes, 事故 typically refers to unfortunate events with negative consequences, unlike words like 事件 (shìjiàn), which can be neutral.
Generally, 事故 is used for physical incidents; for abstract misfortunes, consider using 意外 (yì wài) instead.
