si4 mou6時務时务
Jyutpingsi4 mou6
Yalesìh mouh
Definition
Current affairs, the trend of current events, or the signs of the times.
neutralpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Often found in the idiom 識時務者為俊傑, which describes someone who understands the situation and acts accordingly to succeed. It carries a slightly formal or literary weight compared to everyday terms for news or trends. Use it when discussing someone's ability to adapt to changing social or political climates.
Examples
He is very good at reading the signs of the times and knows what is most popular.
Related words
Common phrases
to be sensible of the current situation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 時事, which refers specifically to news or current events. 時務 implies a deeper grasp of the underlying trends or the 'spirit of the age' rather than just headlines.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
