有事。

You can use it as a full sentence or part of a longer one. If someone asks if you're free, just say 我有事 (wǒ yǒu shì). If you need to leave a party early, you can say 不好意思，我有点事 (bù hǎo yì si, wǒ yǒu diǎn shì). Adding 点 (diǎn) makes it sound softer and more natural. It’s like adding 'a bit of' in English. It makes you sound less like a robot and more like a busy person with a social life.

Use it when you need a polite exit. It works great at the office when a meeting is dragging on. It’s perfect for texting a friend when you can't hang out. Use it at a family dinner when you've reached your limit of awkward questions. It’s also useful when someone asks 'What's up?' as a way to say 'I need your help with something.' In that case, you'd say 找你有事 (zhǎo nǐ yǒu shì).

Don't use it if you actually want to be specific. If you're talking to your best friend, 有事 might sound a bit cold or dismissive. They might think you're hiding something! Also, avoid using it with a very angry tone unless you want to start a fight. If you bark 你有事吗? (nǐ yǒu shì ma?) at someone, it actually translates to 'Do you have a problem?' or 'What is wrong with you?' Use with caution!

Chinese culture values 'mianzi' or face. Giving a vague excuse like 有事 allows everyone to save face. You don't have to admit you're staying home to play video games. The other person doesn't have to feel rejected by a specific reason. It’s a social lubricant that keeps things moving smoothly. It’s been the go-to excuse for centuries because it's impossible to argue with. How can someone get mad at 'a matter'?

• 有点事 (yǒu diǎn shì): I have a little something to do (very polite).
• 没事 (méi shì): No problem / I'm free / It's nothing.
• 你有事吗? (nǐ yǒu shì ma?): Do you need something? (Or: What's your problem?)
• 先走了，有事 (xiān zǒu le, yǒu shì): Leaving now, got things to do.
• 找你有事 (zhǎo nǐ yǒu shì): I'm looking for you because I need something.