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失事 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
失事shīshìto be involved in a crashHSK 7, v, rank #9557, Hard
失事shīshìaccidentHSK 7, v, rank #9557, Hard
失事shīshì(of a plane, ship etc) to have an accident (plane crash, shipwreck, vehicle collision etc)HSK 7, unknown, rank #9557, Hard
失事shīshìto mess things upHSK 7, unknown, rank #9557, Hard
shīshì(shi1shi4) T1
  1. 1to be involved in a crash
  2. 2accident
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March 24, 2026
失事shīshì(shi1shi4)

失事 refers to being involved in an accident, particularly relating to transportation incidents like plane crashes or shipwrecks. It can also be used more generally to indicate a situation where things have gone wrong or have been messed up. This term is commonly used in news reports and discussions about safety in travel.

Frequency#9557DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, transportation safety is a significant concern, especially in densely populated areas. Incidents of 失事, particularly involving airplanes and ships, often lead to national discussions about safety regulations and public trust in transportation systems.

Memory Tip

Imagine a plane (飞机) '失' (losing) its way and crashing, causing a '事' (event) that is disastrous. The two components together depict the idea of an unfortunate event happening due to loss or failure.

Meanings of 失事

shīshì(shi1shi4)
1to be involved in a crash
2accident
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

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About 失事

失事Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9557Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 失事

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Podcast: 失事

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AI Study Notes for 失事

Quick Contrast

事故 (shìgù) - use 失事 (shīshì) specifically for transportation-related accidents, whereas 事故 (shìgù) can refer to any kind of accident.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a plane (飞机) '失' (losing) its way and crashing, causing a '事' (event) that is disastrous. The two components together depict the idea of an unfortunate event happening due to loss or failure.

Usage Notes

失事 is typically used in formal contexts, particularly in news and safety-related discussions. A common mistake is to use it casually; remember it carries a serious connotation. Avoid saying '失事' when referring to minor accidents; instead, use '事故' (accident) for less severe situations.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK level 6, students should focus on the nuances of 失事 in formal contexts and recognize its usage in news media. It connects to other vocabulary related to accidents and safety, enhancing comprehension in discussions of current events.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, transportation safety is a significant concern, especially in densely populated areas. Incidents of 失事, particularly involving airplanes and ships, often lead to national discussions about safety regulations and public trust in transportation systems.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 失事 with 事故, using them interchangeably. For example, saying '汽车失事' (car crash) is less common; instead, use '汽车事故' for a general car accident.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 失事

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Component Characters

失shīto lose
5 strokes大
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事shìmatter
HSK 18 strokes亅
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Write 失事

失
事

Practice writing 失事 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 失事

失事 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 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.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

官方说这次飞机____无一人生还。

Officials said there were no survivors of the plane crash.

Example Sentences for 失事 (4)

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1
官方说这次飞机失事无一人生还。

guān fāng shuō zhè cì fēi jī shī shì wú yī rén shēng huán。

Officials said there were no survivors of the plane crash.
2
他们在北海遇到风暴，船险些失事。

tā mén zài běi hǎi yù dào fēng bào， ， chuán xiǎn xiē shī。

They narrowly escaped shipwreck in a storm in the North Sea.
3
有两名乘客仍被困在失事的车辆里。

yǒu liǎng míng chéng kè réng bèi kùn zài shī shì de chē liàng lǐ。

Two passengers are still trapped in the wreck.
4
水手们乘救生筏离开失事的船.

shuǐ shǒu mén chéng jiù shēng fá lí kāi shī shì de chuán.

The sailors got away from the wrecked ship on a raft.

Cultural Notes for 失事

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, transportation safety is a significant concern, especially in densely populated areas. Incidents of 失事, particularly involving airplanes and ships, often lead to national discussions about safety regulations and public trust in transportation systems.

Frequently Asked Questions about 失事

While it primarily refers to transportation incidents, it can also describe situations where things have gone wrong in a broader sense.