affairs

Definitions

affair comes from Old French afaire = à ('to') + faire ('to do,' from Latin facere). Literally 'to-do' — a thing to be done, a matter of business. The plural 'affairs' covers business and public matters; the singular also took on the sense of a secret love affair (something one is 'doing' on the side).

Common Collocations

• 1.foreign affairs外交事务
• 2.current affairs时事
• 3.state affairs国家事务
• 4.financial affairs财务事宜

Example Sentences

• 1.

  The minister handles foreign affairs.

• 2.

  She follows current affairs closely.

• 3.

  He put his affairs in order before the trip.