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| 同事 [2025/08/09 02:36] – created xiaoer | 同事 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== tóngshì: 同事 - Colleague, Coworker ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** tongshi, tong shi, 同事, Chinese for colleague, Chinese coworker, workplace relationships in China, how to say coworker in Chinese, 同事 meaning, HSK 3 vocabulary | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and cultural significance of **同事 (tóngshì)**, the essential Chinese word for 'colleague' or 'coworker'. This comprehensive guide explores how to use **同事** in professional and social settings, its important role in Chinese workplace culture, and provides practical example sentences for beginner learners. Understand the nuances of professional relationships in China that go beyond a simple translation. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** tóngshì | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** A person with whom one works; a coworker or colleague in the same organization. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **同事 (tóngshì)** is the default, neutral term for anyone who works at the same company or organization as you. It literally means "together-business," implying people who handle the same matters together. While it doesn't automatically mean "friend," it carries a stronger sense of a shared group identity and collective purpose than the English word "coworker" often does. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **同 (tóng):** This character means "same," "together," or "common." It depicts a mouth (口) under a cover, suggesting people brought together under one roof or in agreement. | |
| * **事 (shì):** This character means "matter," "affair," "business," or "work." It represents an activity, a task, or something that needs to be handled. | |
| When combined, **同事 (tóngshì)** creates a very logical meaning: people who handle the "same business" or "work together." They are part of the same professional unit, sharing common goals and responsibilities. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| In a Western context, a "coworker" can be a strictly professional and sometimes distant relationship. The Chinese concept of **同事 (tóngshì)**, while also professional, is deeply embedded in a culture that values collectivism and group harmony. | |
| The relationship between colleagues is a fundamental part of one's professional [[关系]] (guānxi), or social network. Unlike the often individualistic and competitive nature of some Western workplaces, there's a strong superficial emphasis on maintaining harmony (`和气 - héqi`) among **同事**. This doesn't mean conflict doesn't exist, but it's often handled less directly. | |
| It's very common for colleagues to eat lunch together every day, and company-organized social events or "team-building" activities (`团建 - tuánjiàn`) are frequent. This blurs the lines between professional and personal life more than is typical in the West. A good relationship with your **同事** is not just a bonus; it's often seen as essential for a smooth and successful career path. You are a team, and the team's success is paramount. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **同事 (tóngshì)** is a standard, neutral term used in almost any situation when referring to a coworker. It's neither overly formal nor too casual. | |
| ==== How to Refer to Colleagues ==== | |
| You use the word **同事** when talking //about// your colleagues, but almost never when talking //to// them directly. Addressing someone as "**同事**" to their face is unnatural and overly generic, like saying "Hello, Employee" in English. | |
| Instead, you would use: | |
| * **For seniors or respected peers:** `[Last Name] + 老师 (lǎoshī)` (e.g., `王老师 Wáng lǎoshī`) | |
| * **For slightly older male peers:** `[Last Name] + 哥 (gē)` (e.g., `李哥 Lǐ gē`) | |
| * **For slightly older female peers:** `[Last Name] + 姐 (jiě)` (e.g., `张姐 Zhāng jiě`) | |
| * **For peers or juniors:** Their full name or given name (e.g., `王伟 Wáng Wěi` or `小明 Xiǎo Míng`) | |
| ==== Connotation ==== | |
| The term itself is neutral. Its connotation depends entirely on the context. You can praise a helpful **同事** or complain about a lazy **同事** using the exact same word. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 这是我的**同事**，李月。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ de **tóngshì**, Lǐ Yuè. | |
| * English: This is my colleague, Li Yue. | |
| * Analysis: A standard, neutral introduction. This is one of the most common uses of the word. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 我和**同事**们中午常常一起吃饭。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ hé **tóngshì**men zhōngwǔ chángcháng yīqǐ chīfàn. | |
| * English: I often eat lunch together with my colleagues. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence highlights the communal aspect of the workplace in China. The plural marker `们 (men)` is added to **同事** to refer to multiple colleagues. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 你跟你的**同事**关系怎么样？ | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ gēn nǐ de **tóngshì** guānxì zěnmeyàng? | |
| * English: How is your relationship with your colleagues? | |
| * Analysis: A common question that shows the importance placed on interpersonal dynamics in the workplace. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 他是我以前的**同事**，我们现在还是好朋友。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā shì wǒ yǐqián de **tóngshì**, wǒmen xiànzài háishì hǎo péngyou. | |
| * English: He is my former colleague, and we are still good friends now. | |
| * Analysis: This shows the distinction between `同事` (a professional role) and `朋友` (péngyou - a personal relationship). The relationship can evolve. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 我的一位**同事**下个月就要结婚了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de yī wèi **tóngshì** xià gè yuè jiù yào jiéhūn le. | |
| * English: One of my colleagues is getting married next month. | |
| * Analysis: `位 (wèi)` is a polite measure word for people, often used in professional or respectful contexts, making it a good fit for **同事**. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 我今天得帮一个**同事**的忙。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān děi bāng yī gè **tóngshì** de máng. | |
| * English: I have to help a colleague out today. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates the cooperative nature expected among colleagues. `个 (ge)` is the more general-purpose measure word. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 我们办公室的**同事**都很友好。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen bàngōngshì de **tóngshì** dōu hěn yǒuhǎo. | |
| * English: The colleagues in our office are all very friendly. | |
| * Analysis: A general statement describing the overall atmosphere of a workplace. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 真受不了我那个**同事**，他总是迟到。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhēn shòu bùliǎo wǒ nàge **tóngshì**, tā zǒngshì chídào. | |
| * English: I really can't stand that colleague of mine, he is always late. | |
| * Analysis: Shows how **同事** is used in a negative or complaining context. The word itself remains neutral; the sentiment comes from the rest of the sentence. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 他不仅是我的**同事**，也是我的良师益友。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā bùjǐn shì wǒ de **tóngshì**, yěshì wǒ de liángshīyìyǒu. | |
| * English: He is not only my colleague, but also my good teacher and helpful friend. | |
| * Analysis: A very positive and formal way to praise a colleague, using the chengyu `良师益友` (liángshīyìyǒu). | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 作为新来的**同事**，我还有很多东西要学习。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zuòwéi xīn lái de **tóngshì**, wǒ hái yǒu hěnduō dōngxi yào xuéxí. | |
| * English: As a new colleague, I still have a lot to learn. | |
| * Analysis: This shows how you might refer to yourself in the role of a colleague, often expressing humility. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **Mistake 1: Direct Address.** The most common mistake is addressing someone as "**同事**" directly. | |
| * **Incorrect:** `同事，你好！(Tóngshì, nǐ hǎo!)` | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** It's impersonal and strange. It's like saying "Hello, Coworker!" | |
| * **Correct:** `王哥，你好！(Wáng gē, nǐ hǎo!)` or `你好！(Nǐ hǎo!)` | |
| * **Mistake 2: Confusing `同事` with `朋友` (péngyou).** While a colleague can become a friend, they are not the same. **同事** is a professional designation based on a shared workplace. `朋友 (péngyou)` implies a personal bond of trust and affection. Assuming a new colleague is your friend can be seen as unprofessional or presumptuous. The relationship usually starts as **同事** and might, over time, develop into `朋友`. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[搭档]] (dādàng) - A partner; a colleague with whom you work very closely on specific tasks or projects. More specific than **同事**. | |
| * [[老板]] (lǎobǎn) - Boss, owner of a company. | |
| * [[上司]] (shàngsī) - Superior, direct manager. A more formal term than `老板`. | |
| * [[下属]] (xiàshǔ) - Subordinate, a person of lower rank. | |
| * [[同行]] (tóngháng) - A peer in the same industry or profession, but not necessarily the same company. (e.g., Two programmers from different companies are **同行**). | |
| * [[办公室]] (bàngōngshì) - Office; the physical space where you work with your **同事**. | |
| * [[公司]] (gōngsī) - Company; the organization you and your **同事** work for. | |
| * [[工作]] (gōngzuò) - Work, job; the thing that you and your **同事** do together. | |
| * [[关系]] (guānxi) - Relationships, connections. Your network of **同事** forms an important part of your professional `关系`. | |