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作家 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
作家zuòjiāauthorHSK 4, n, 17 strokes, rank #2422, Medium
zuòjiā(zuo4jia1)zuo jia T4
  1. 1author
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March 24, 2026

作家zuòjiā(zuo4jia1)

作家 (zuòjiā) refers to a writer or author, someone who creates literary works, including novels, essays, or poetry. Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, it signifies someone who contributes to literature, often recognized for their creativity and expression.

Strokes17Frequency#2422DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, 作家 holds a significant status, especially in the context of modern literature where authors often engage with social issues. Famous writers like Lu Xun are celebrated for their impact on society and culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a '作' (zuò) man who '家' (jiā) is full of stories, crafting words like a skilled artist. Picture this man sitting at a desk, weaving tales that captivate readers, reinforcing the connection between the character's components and its meaning.

Meanings of 作家

zuòjiā(zuo4jia1)
1author
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 作家

作家Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#2422Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1

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AI study notes for 作家

Quick Contrast

作家 (zuòjiā) vs 作者 (zuòzhě) — use 作家 for a focus on literary creativity, while 作者 is more general and may refer to anyone who writes, including technical authors.

Usage Notes

Be mindful to use the correct measure words when referring to authors; for example, '个' (gè) and '位' (wèi) are both appropriate but carry slightly different connotations. In informal contexts, it's often used simply as '作家', while more formal discussions may involve specifying the genre or style they write.

HSK Study Tips

At HSK Level 4, students should focus on expanding vocabulary related to literature and arts. Understanding the nuances of 作家 will help in discussing literary topics and allow for richer conversation about authors and their works.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 作家 with other terms like 写手 (xiěshǒu), which is more informal and refers to someone who writes (not necessarily literary). Instead, use 作家 to specifically denote a literary author.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 作家

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Component characters

作zuōto do
HSK 67 strokes亻
View full entry
家jiāhome
HSK 110 strokes宀
View full entry

How to say author in Chinese

“author” in Chinese is作家zuòjiā

作家 (zuòjiā) refers to a writer or author, someone who creates literary works, including novels, essays, or poetry. Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, it signifies someone who contributes to literature, often recognized for their creativity and expression.

When to use 作家

Be mindful to use the correct measure words when referring to authors; for example, '个' (gè) and '位' (wèi) are both appropriate but carry slightly different connotations. In informal contexts, it's often used simply as '作家', while more formal discussions may involve specifying the genre or style they write.

作家 or something close to it

作家 (zuòjiā) vs 作者 (zuòzhě) — use 作家 for a focus on literary creativity, while 作者 is more general and may refer to anyone who writes, including technical authors.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 作家 with other terms like 写手 (xiěshǒu), which is more informal and refers to someone who writes (not necessarily literary). Instead, use 作家 to specifically denote a literary author.

Write 作家

作
家

Practice writing 作家 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 作家

作家 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

她长大以后想当____。

She wants to become a writer when she grows up.

Example sentences for 作家 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
它用讽刺的语言呈现了天主教作家郑重其事表明的观点。

tā yòng fěngcì de yǔyán chéngxiàn le tiānzhǔjiào zuòjiā zhèngzhòng qí shì biǎomíng de guāndiǎn。

It presented in satirical terms points made in earnest by Catholic writers.
2
事实上,我真的是个很失败的喜剧作家。

shìshíshàng, wǒ zhēnde shì gè hěn shībài de xǐjù zuòjiā。

The truth is, I'm a failed comedy writer really.
3
他是个名不见经传的作家。

tā shì gè míng bújiàn Jīng chuán de zuòjiā。

He was an unknown writer.
4
他是个非常多产的作家。

tā shì gè fēicháng duō chǎn de zuòjiā。

He is a stupendously swift writer.
5
他是个极具独创性的作家。

tā shì gè jí jù dú chuàng xìng de zuòjiā。

He is an excitingly original writer.
6
我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品.

wǒmen qīwàng zuòjiā men xiě chū gèng duō gènghǎo de zuòpǐn.

We expect writers to produce more and better works.
7
很好, 你已将那位作家的风格确切地刻画出来了.

hěn hǎo, nǐ yǐ jiāng nà wèi zuòjiā de fēnggé quèqiè dì kèhuà chūlái le.

Good, you have exactly hit off the writer's style.
8
这位作家最新创作的这本书比前一本好得多.

zhè wèi zuòjiā zuì xīn chuàngzuò de zhè běn shū bǐ qián yī běn hǎo de duō.

The writer's new book is streets ahead of his last one.
9
我想你得承认他是个备受尊敬的专栏作家。

wǒ xiǎng nǐ de chéngrèn tā shì gè bèishòu zūnjìng de zhuānlán zuòjiā。

I think you'd agree he's a very respected columnist.
10
仍有一些领域需要新作家们去开拓。

réng yǒuyīxiē lǐngyù xūyào xīn zuòjiā men qù kāituò。

There is still scope for new writers to break through.

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Frequently asked questions about 作家

作者 (zuòzhě) also means 'author' but is often used in a more formal context, particularly in academic or publishing settings, while 作家 usually refers to literary authors.

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