Meanings of 工
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About 工
Podcast: 工
Podcast: 工
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AI Study Notes for 工
工 (gōng) vs 劳 (láo) — use 工 when referring specifically to skilled work or craftsmanship, while 劳 emphasizes the act of labor or toil.
When using 工, be mindful that it is often paired with other characters to form compound words such as 工人 (gōngrén, worker) or 工艺 (gōngyì, craftsmanship). A common mistake is to confuse it with 劳 (láo), which also means labor but carries a different nuance. Remember to use the correct tone, as 'gōng' is high and level, distinct from other similar-sounding words.
While 工 is not explicitly listed in the HSK vocabulary, it is foundational for understanding many compound characters at HSK levels 1 and 2. Focus on its use in context and how it combines with other characters to describe professions and skills, enhancing vocabulary retention.
Learners often confuse 工 with the character 劳, mistakenly using 劳 in contexts that refer to skilled work, such as saying 劳人 instead of 工人. Remember that 劳 emphasizes the toil aspect, while 工 highlights skill and craftsmanship.
Pronunciation of 工
Drill the tone of 工 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 工
Pictograph of a carpenter's tool.
A spade or other workman's tool
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 工
Pictograph of a carpenter's tool.
- 1The giveawayA spade or other workman's tool
- 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 工? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 工?
Decomposition of 工
Identify the Components
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How to say work in Chinese
“work” in Chinese is工
The character 工 (gōng) primarily means 'work' or 'labor' and can refer to a worker or craftsman in various contexts. It is commonly used to denote skilled professions or trades, emphasizing the effort and craft involved in a particular job. Additionally, it serves as a radical in many other characters related to work and skill.
When to use 工
When using 工, be mindful that it is often paired with other characters to form compound words such as 工人 (gōngrén, worker) or 工艺 (gōngyì, craftsmanship). A common mistake is to confuse it with 劳 (láo), which also means labor but carries a different nuance. Remember to use the correct tone, as 'gōng' is high and level, distinct from other similar-sounding words.
工 or something close to it
工 (gōng) vs 劳 (láo) — use 工 when referring specifically to skilled work or craftsmanship, while 劳 emphasizes the act of labor or toil.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 工 with the character 劳, mistakenly using 劳 in contexts that refer to skilled work, such as saying 劳人 instead of 工人. Remember that 劳 emphasizes the toil aspect, while 工 highlights skill and craftsmanship.
Write 工
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Practice writing 工 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 工
工 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
你在哪儿____作？
Where do you work?
Example Sentences for 工 (15)
Word Family of 工
Compound Meaning
What does 经 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 工
Common words include 工人 (gōngrén, worker), 工厂 (gōngchǎng, factory), and 工艺 (gōngyì, craftsmanship).
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