事态 shìtài situation
situation; existing state of affairs
How to remember 事态: 事 matter + 态 attitude = situation.
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How it is used
- The state/development of a (usually serious) situation - 事态严重 (shìtài yánzhòng) the situation is grave, 事态扩大 (shìtài kuòdà) the situation escalated.
- Reserved for tense or worsening affairs - incidents, crises, conflicts; not for everyday 情况 (qíngkuàng, general circumstances).
- News/formal register; 态 signals its changing posture/trajectory.