Understanding 事故 (shìgù)
The word 事故 primarily means "accident" and is used to describe unexpected, often harmful events such as traffic collisions or workplace incidents. It combines 事 (matter, affair) and 故 (reason, cause), reflecting an event caused by some reason, often unforeseen.
Usage in Context
事故 is commonly used in news reports, daily conversations about safety, and legal or insurance discussions. It usually refers to negative events but can be used neutrally when discussing causes or investigations.
Common Collocations
- 交通事故 (jiāotōng shìgù): traffic accident, the most frequent collocation.
- 工作事故 (gōngzuò shìgù): work-related accident.
- 事故现场 (shìgù xiànchǎng): accident scene.
- 事故原因 (shìgù yuányīn): cause of the accident.
Important Notes
事故 is a formal term and often appears in written or official contexts. In casual speech, people might use words like 出事 (chūshì) to indicate something went wrong. Avoid confusing 事故 with 故障 (gùzhàng), which means malfunction or breakdown, not an accident.
Understanding 事故 helps learners discuss safety, emergencies, and reports accurately and appropriately.