tóngshì: 同事 - Colleague, Coworker

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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`)

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 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 tóngshìmen 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.

• 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`.

• 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`.