Comparing the two "zuo"

做 and 作 both are verbs that can be easily confused because both mean “to do” and are pronounced “ zuò” (fourth tone). While these both mean “to do”, the use of these two words is very different and almost always not interchangeable. 做 is used very commonly in both in informal/formal situations, whereas 作 is used only in formal situations.

B1HSK4ASV4567

	做 (zuò)	作 (zuò)
Meaning	to do (work), to make (food, friends)	(mostly for parts of other words)
Part of Speech	verb	verb
Formality	flexible	formal

:Yes

To say to say do work with your hands like making clothes or making food use 做.

Common Phrases

In the following examples only 做 can be used.

• 做衣服
• 做饭
• 做工

To say make friends use 做.

Common Phrases

• 做朋友

Sometimes to say “to be” also uses 做.

Common Phrases

• 做父亲
• 做母亲
• 做演员
• 做客

To say to do a thought out or abstract undertakings use 作.

Common Phrases

In the following examples only 作 can be used.

• 作报告
• 作奋斗
• 作者
• 作文