<p>「東西」 means a "thing", a generic word for any object. 「那是甚麼東西？」 "What is that thing?" Food is obviously a subset of "things". There are many times you can refer to an object as 東西, like a toy, a pen... you name it.</p>

<p>「一件事」 is referring to an event (事件), or something that has happened.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-11T15:15:29.800Z
Why do you use traditional Chinese to confuse the asker when he is clearly using simplified Chinese
NoName
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-11T19:12:21.633Z
Welcome to Chinese Language! You can always edit or leave your own answer if you like. If the OP didn't understand he could have asked me to modify my answer, but instead this answer was accepted so I wouldn't presume the OP was confused. I use traditional Chinese because where I'm from we do not use simplified Chinese.
Moobie
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-05-22T17:49:54.940Z
2017-05-22T17:49:54.940Z
Moobie
<p>From what I've seen 东西 is used when talking about food. Are there any other times where you use it instead of 件事？</p>

<p>Examples:</p>

<p>我想吃一点东西。</p>

<p>我告诉你一件事。</p>

<meaning><word-choice><difference>
when do I use 东西 instead of 件事 to express "something"
# when do I use 东西 instead of 件事 to express "something"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2017-05-22)

From what I've seen 东西 is used when talking about food. Are there any other times where you use it instead of 件事？

Examples:

我想吃一点东西。

我告诉你一件事。

**Tags:** meaning, word-choice, difference

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2017-05-22. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

「東西」 means a "thing", a generic word for any object. 「那是甚麼東西？」 "What is that thing?" Food is obviously a subset of "things". There are many times you can refer to an object as 東西, like a toy, a pen... you name it.

「一件事」 is referring to an event (事件), or something that has happened.

> **Comments:**
> **username_2**: Why do you use traditional Chinese to confuse the asker when he is clearly using simplified Chinese  
> **username_1**: Welcome to Chinese Language! You can always edit or leave your own answer if you like. If the OP didn't understand he could have asked me to modify my answer, but instead this answer was accepted so I wouldn't presume the OP was confused. I use traditional Chinese because where I'm from we do not use simplified Chinese.  

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