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从事 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
从事cóngshìto go forHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
从事cóngshìto engage inHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
从事cóngshìto undertakeHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
从事cóngshìto deal withHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
从事cóngshìto handleHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
从事cóngshìto doHSK 5, v, 12 strokes, rank #4750, Hard
cóngshì(cong2shi4)cong shi T2
  1. 1to go for
  2. 2to engage in
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March 24, 2026

从事(從事)cóngshì(cong2shi4)

从事 means to engage in, undertake, or deal with a particular activity or profession. It is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing one's job, profession, or a specific field of study. This word emphasizes active participation in a given task or work.

Strokes12Frequency#4750DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of work is often tied to personal identity and social status, making 从事 a significant term in discussions about one's profession, especially in job interviews or networking.

Memory tip

Imagine a person 'cong' (从) a path 'zhi' (事) that leads them to their career. Visualize them walking down this path, actively engaging in their work, as they move forward in their professional journey.

Meanings of 从事

cóngshì(cong2shi4)
1to go for
2to engage in
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 从事

从事Simplified
從事Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4750Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 从事

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Podcast: 从事

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AI study notes for 从事

Quick Contrast

从事 (cóngshì) vs 参与 (cānyù) — use 从事 for professional engagement, while 参与 emphasizes participation in an event or activity.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 从事 with a subject that is too casual; it is typically used in formal or professional contexts. Be cautious with the tone; ensure the right tones are used to avoid confusion. Typical collocations include 从事工作 (engage in work) and 从事研究 (engage in research).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 从事 connects well with other verbs related to actions and occupations. Focus on using it in sentences that describe what you or others are involved in, particularly in professional or academic settings.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 从事 with emotional or casual activities, like using it in '我从事看电影' (I engage in watching movies), which is incorrect. Instead, use it for professional activities, such as '我从事医学' (I engage in medicine).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 从事

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Component characters

从cóngsecond cousin
HSK 24 strokes人
View full entry
事shìmatter
HSK 18 strokes亅
View full entry

How to say to go for in Chinese

“to go for” in Chinese is从事cóngshì

从事 means to engage in, undertake, or deal with a particular activity or profession. It is often used in formal contexts, especially when discussing one's job, profession, or a specific field of study. This word emphasizes active participation in a given task or work.

When to use 从事

Common mistakes include using 从事 with a subject that is too casual; it is typically used in formal or professional contexts. Be cautious with the tone; ensure the right tones are used to avoid confusion. Typical collocations include 从事工作 (engage in work) and 从事研究 (engage in research).

从事 or something close to it

从事 (cóngshì) vs 参与 (cānyù) — use 从事 for professional engagement, while 参与 emphasizes participation in an event or activity.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 从事 with emotional or casual activities, like using it in '我从事看电影' (I engage in watching movies), which is incorrect. Instead, use it for professional activities, such as '我从事医学' (I engage in medicine).

Write 从事

从
事

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

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Grammar patterns of 从事

从事 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 6 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

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

你可以转行____影视戏剧业。

You can move up to work in films and the theatre.

Example sentences for 从事 (10)

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1
你可以转行从事影视戏剧业。

nǐ kěyǐ zhuǎnháng cóngshì yǐngshì xìjù yè。

You can move up to work in films and the theatre.
2
我们从事这一行不是为了获得巨大的经济回报。

wǒmen cóngshì zhè yìxíng bùshì wèile huòdé jùdà de jīngjì huíbào。

We are not in this to reap immense financial rewards.
3
我所从事的职业中暗藏着如此深的种族主义偏见,这让我感到害怕。

wǒ suǒ cóngshì de zhíyè zhōng àn cáng zhe rúcǐ shēn de zhǒngzú zhǔyì piānjiàn, zhè ràng wǒ gǎndào hàipà。

The depth of covert racism in my own profession frightens me.
4
他亲口承认自己在佛罗里达从事房地产投机生意时逃过税。

tā qīn kǒu chéngrèn zìjǐ zài fó luō lǐ dá cóngshì fángdìchǎn tóujī shēngyi shí táo guò shuì。

By his own admission, he evaded taxes as a Florida real-estate speculator.
5
近些年来,已有医生接受专门培训从事全科诊疗。

jìn xiē nián lái, yǐ yǒu yīshēng jiēshòu zhuānmén péixùn cóngshì quán kē zhěn liáo。

In recent years, doctors have been trained specifically for general practice.
6
他们从事先准备好讲稿的演说转向一问一答的形式.

tāmen cóngshì xiān zhǔnbèi hǎo jiǎng gǎo de yǎnshuō zhuǎnxiàng yī wèn yī dá de xíngshì.

They switched from set speeches to a question - and - answer format.
7
我不会考虑从事这种不跟人打交道的工作。

wǒ bù huì kǎolǜ cóngshì zhè zhǒng bù gēn rén dǎjiāodao de gōngzuò。

I wouldn't entertain the idea of such an unsociable job.
8
他并不特别想从事竞技体育运动。

tā bìng bù tèbié xiǎng cóngshì jìngjì tǐyù yùndòng。

He did not particularly want to take up a competitive sport.
9
这个许可证并不能让他以公开股份有限公司的名义从事贸易。

zhège xǔkězhèng bìng bù néng ràng tā yǐ gōngkāi gǔfèn yǒuxiàn gōngsī de míngyì cóngshì màoyì。

This licence would not allow him to trade as a plc.
10
从事初级保健护理工作的几乎都是女性。

cóngshì chūjí bǎojiàn hùlǐ gōngzuò de jīhū dōushì nǚxìng。

It is nearly always women who are the primary care givers.

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Frequently asked questions about 从事

从事 is generally more suitable for formal contexts, so it's better to use it in professional discussions rather than casual chats.

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