事

Pictographic origin:

The character originally depicts a flagpole with a flag being set upright by hand.

This image symbolized the recording of historical events or managing important affairs, leading to the broader meaning of “work”, “affairs”, "official duties" and "the handling of important matters".

Shared origin:

Closely related to 史 (사, “history”), 吏 (리, “official”), 使 (사, “to send or use”) — all of which share the imagery of official duties and record-keeping.

事 began as a pictograph of a flagpole being raised by hand, symbolizing .

It appears in a wide range of compound words such as 事件 (사건, “incident”), 事情 (사정, “circumstances”), 事業 (사업, “enterprise”), and 大事 (대사, “important matter”).