公事 gōngshì work-related matters
work-related matters; documents
How to remember 公事: 公 public + 事 matter = work-related matters.
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How it is used
- 'Official / work-related business' as opposed to personal matters - 公事公办 (gōngshì gōngbàn) to handle official business by the book, without favoritism.
- The 公/私 contrast is key: 公事 (work affairs) vs 私事 (sīshì, private affairs). 因公事外出 (out on official business).