同事
tóngshì · HSK 2
colleague
👥 同事 = same + matter/affair → people on the same job
同 means same and 事 means matter or affair, so 同事 literally reads as 'same-affair people' — those sharing the same work, i.e. colleagues or workmates.
同 — 冂 enclosure + 一 + 口 mouth
Originally depicted multiple mouths gathered under one cover or enclosure, suggesting people speaking together in agreement. From this image of voices joining, it came to mean 'same,' 'together,' or 'alike.' The shared cover symbolizes unity.
事 — hand 又 holding a banner/tablet on a pole
Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) grasping a pole or ceremonial banner used by an official, depicting the act of conducting court business. From this it came to mean 'affair, matter, business, service.' It shares an ancient origin with 史 (scribe) and 吏 (official).
tóng shì · HSK 3
colleague
👥 同 = same + 事 = matter/work → people in the same line of work
同 means 'same' or 'together' and 事 means 'matter' or 'affair/work'. A 同事 is literally someone sharing the same work — a coworker. Compare 同学 (same study = classmate) and 同伴 (same companionship = companion).
同 — 冂 enclosure + 一 + 口 mouth
Originally depicted multiple mouths gathered under one cover or enclosure, suggesting people speaking together in agreement. From this image of voices joining, it came to mean 'same,' 'together,' or 'alike.' The shared cover symbolizes unity.
事 — hand 又 holding a banner/tablet on a pole
Originally a pictograph of a hand (又) grasping a pole or ceremonial banner used by an official, depicting the act of conducting court business. From this it came to mean 'affair, matter, business, service.' It shares an ancient origin with 史 (scribe) and 吏 (official).