做 vs 作
做 vs 作: Everyday Actions vs Formal Creations
Quick Summary
做 is for concrete, everyday actions; 作 is for abstract, formal, or creative work.
Detailed Breakdown
zuò
Concrete actions, everyday tasks
Grammar Pattern
做 + concrete activity/objectExamples
做饭
zuòfàn
cook (make food)
做作业
zuò zuòyè
do homework
做生意
zuò shēngyì
do business
zuò / zuō
Abstract/creative work, formal usage
Grammar Pattern
作 + abstract noun / creationExamples
作家
zuòjiā
writer/author
作品
zuòpǐn
work (of art/literature)
合作
hézuò
cooperate
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Aspect | 做 | 作 |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | Everyday, concrete | Formal, abstract |
| Objects | Physical tasks | Creative/intellectual work |
| Compounds | 做饭、做事、做人 | 作家、作品、工作 |
| Register | Colloquial | Literary/formal |
Memory Tips
- 做 has 亻(person) - a person DOING physical work
- 作 appears in 工作 (work) - formal/professional
- 做 = hands-on; 作 = creative mind
Common Mistakes
Cooking is a concrete daily task - use 做
Writer/author is a formal title - use 作
Artwork/work is an abstract creation - use 作
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 做 and 作?
做 is used for concrete, everyday actions (做饭 = cook, 做作业 = do homework). 作 is used for abstract, creative, or formal contexts (作家 = author, 作品 = artwork, 工作 = work/job).
Is it 做工作 or 作工作?
Neither - just use 工作 alone as a noun (job) or verb (to work). The character 作 is already part of the word 工作.
Related Comparisons
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