Mandarin TempleMandarin Temple Beta Come for Knowledge. Stay for Wisdom.
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
事物 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
事物shìwùthingHSK 5, n, rank #2865, Medium
事物shìwùobjectHSK 5, n, rank #2865, Medium
事物shìwù>个[gè]HSK 5, n, rank #2865, Medium
shìwù(shi4wu4) T4
  1. 1thing
  2. 2object
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
事物shìwù(shi4wu4)

事物 (shìwù) refers to 'things' or 'objects' in a broad sense, encompassing both tangible items and abstract concepts. It is commonly used in formal contexts, such as discussions about philosophy, science, or daily life, to refer to various entities in the world around us.

Frequency#2865DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the distinction between tangible and intangible 'things' is significant, especially in philosophical discussions where the concept of reality and existence is explored. 事物 is often used in literature and discussions about life’s complexities.

Memory Tip

Think of 事 (shì) as 'matter' or 'affair' and 物 (wù) as 'thing' or 'object.' Visualize a 'matter' (事) that we can touch or hold (物), forming the connection that helps remember the sound 'shi4 wu4' as you hold various things in your hands.

Meanings of 事物

shìwù(shi4wu4)
1thing
2object
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 事物

事物Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2865Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 事物

JasonAmy

Podcast: 事物

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 事物

Quick Contrast

物体 (wùtǐ) refers specifically to 'physical objects' or 'bodies', while 事物 (shìwù) includes both tangible items and abstract concepts.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 事 (shì) as 'matter' or 'affair' and 物 (wù) as 'thing' or 'object.' Visualize a 'matter' (事) that we can touch or hold (物), forming the connection that helps remember the sound 'shi4 wu4' as you hold various things in your hands.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 事物 is more formal than simply saying '东西' (dōngxi), which is more commonly used in everyday conversation. Avoid using 事物 in casual settings as it may seem overly academic or stiff. Remember to use the correct measure word 个 (gè) when referring to individual items.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 事物 connects with other abstract and concrete nouns you will encounter at this level. Focus on its usage in both written and spoken contexts, and practice using it in sentences to describe various scenarios involving different 'things.'

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the distinction between tangible and intangible 'things' is significant, especially in philosophical discussions where the concept of reality and existence is explored. 事物 is often used in literature and discussions about life’s complexities.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 事物 with 东西, using it in casual contexts where 东西 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我买了很多事物' instead of '我买了很多东西' is incorrect; the latter is the correct usage.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 事物

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 事物 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

事shìmatter
HSK 18 strokes亅
View full entry
物wùthing
HSK 28 strokes牛
View full entry

Write 事物

事
物

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 事物

事物 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.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

新鲜____的魅力一定让你兴奋不已。

You must be feeling exhilarated by the call of the new.

Example Sentences for 事物 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
新鲜事物的魅力一定让你兴奋不已。

xīn xiān shì wù de mèi lì yī dìng ràng nǐ xīng fèn bù yǐ。

You must be feeling exhilarated by the call of the new.
2
他难道不是你见过的最美的事物么？

tā nán dào bù shì nǐ jiàn guò de zuì měi de shì wù mó？

Isn't he just the most beautiful thing you ever saw?
3
我们一直在关注玄奇事物这一神秘世界。

wǒ mén yī zhí zài guān zhù xuán qí shì wù zhè yī shén mì shì jiè。

We have been looking at the shadowy world of the paranormal.
4
如此新鲜的事物刚开始必然会有些问题。

rú cǐ xīn xiān de shì wù gāng kāi shǐ bì rán huì yǒu xiē wèn tí。

There are bound to be teething problems with something so new.
5
人们的无知会带来恐惧，对未知事物的恐惧。

rén mén de wú zhī huì dài lái kǒng jù， ， duì wèi zhī shì wù de kǒng。

Ignorance of people brings fear, fear of the unknown.
6
我往往不相信自己的情感，倾向于把一切事物都理智化。

wǒ wǎng wǎng bù xiāng xìn zì jǐ de qíng gǎn， ， qīng xiàng yú bǎ yī qiē shì wù dū lǐ zhì。

I tended to mistrust my emotions and intellectualize everything.
7
两人都具有深入浅出地表述复杂事物的能力。

liǎng rén dū jù yǒu shēn rù qiǎn chū dì biǎo shù fù zá shì wù de néng lì。

Both of them had the ability to present complex matters lucidly.
8
从图片里分出人, 事物, 和动物.

cóng tú piàn lǐ fēn chū rén, , shì, wù , hé.

Identify people, things, and animals from the picture.
9
这些东东超出了影片而存在着,而且是由很多事物驱动的.

zhè xiē dōng dōng chāo chū le yǐng piàn ér cún zài zháo, , ér qiě shì yóu hěn duō shì wù qū dòng.

That it existed beyond this movie and is driven by many things.
10
正是他对这些事物的思念,足以使任何苦痛变甜, 足以医好任何创伤.

zhèng shì tā duì zhè xiē shì wù de sī niàn, , zú yǐ shǐ rèn hé kǔ tòng biàn, tián , zú yǐ yī hǎo rèn hé.

The very thought of these things was sufficient to sweeten any bitterness, and heal any wound.

Cultural Notes for 事物

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the distinction between tangible and intangible 'things' is significant, especially in philosophical discussions where the concept of reality and existence is explored. 事物 is often used in literature and discussions about life’s complexities.

Frequently Asked Questions about 事物

You can use it in contexts like '我们需要了解这些事物的本质' (We need to understand the essence of these things).