Meanings of 作
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About 作
Podcast: 作
Podcast: 作
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AI Study Notes for 作
作 (zuō) vs 做 (zuò) — use 作 when emphasizing creation or composition, while 做 is more about performing an action or task.
Imagine a person 'doing' (作) something with their hands while holding a piece of paper to 'write' (作) a story. The left part of the character resembles hands working, while the right part relates to writing, reinforcing the idea of action and creation.
Learners often confuse 作 with 做 (zuò), which also means 'to do' but is used in different contexts. 作 is typically more formal and can refer to creating works, while 做 is about practical actions. Pay attention to tone as it can change meanings.
作 is part of HSK Level 4 vocabulary. It connects with other action-related verbs at this level, and learners should focus on its various meanings and how it combines with other characters to form compound words.
In Chinese literature, the term 作家 (zuòjiā) means 'writer' and reflects the high regard for literary creation in Chinese culture, where writing is seen as both an art form and a means of self-expression.
Learners may mistakenly use 作 in contexts where 做 is required, such as saying '我作饭' (I make food) instead of '我做饭.' Additionally, confusing the tones can lead to incorrect meanings, so practicing the tonal differences is crucial.
Pronunciation of 作
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Etymology of 作
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 乍 represents the sound.
A person 亻 making something for the first time 乍; 乍 also provides the pronunciation
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 作?
Decomposition of 作
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 作?
Write 作
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Practice writing 作 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 作
作 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 12 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
你先吃饭，再做____业。
First eat, then do homework.
Example Sentences for 作 (10)
Cultural Notes for 作
In Chinese literature, the term 作家 (zuòjiā) means 'writer' and reflects the high regard for literary creation in Chinese culture, where writing is seen as both an art form and a means of self-expression.
Word Family of 作
Compound Meaning
What does 工作 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 作
No, while 作 can mean 'to write,' it also encompasses actions like 'to do,' 'to make,' and 'to act.'