Comparing the two "zuo"

做 (zuò) and 作 (zuò) are both verbs that can be easily confused because both mean “to do” and are pronounced identically. While these both mean “to do,” the use of these two words is different and rarely interchangeable. 做 is used very commonly in both in both informal and formal contexts, whereas 作 is used only in specific 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

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Use 做 "to do" work with your hands or "to make" things

Common Phrases

In the following examples only 做 can be used.

• 做 饭
• 做 作业
• 做 运动
• 做 工作

Example Sentences

• 我不常点外卖，经常自己做饭。
• 今天的作业我做完了。
• 做运动让人心情很愉快。
• 我今天做了一天工作。
• 你平常喜欢做什么？

Use 做 to say "make friends"

做朋友 is one of the few common abstract uses of 做, where there's nothing physical actually being made.

• 因为我喜欢你，所以我不想和你做朋友。

Use 做 for “to be” certain roles

Common Phrases

• 做妈妈
• 做老师
• 做律师

Example Sentences

• 她有了自己的孩子，她做妈妈了。
• 你是做什么的？
• 我的朋友是做律师的。
• 他做了十年老师了。

Use 作 "to do" a thought-out or abstract undertaking

Common Phrases

In the following examples only 作 can be used. You'll notice that these are not super-common phrases.

• 作报告
• 作奋斗

Example Sentences

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Notable Exceptions

Note that the following phrases may seem abstract, but do not use 作; they can only use 做:

• 做作业
• 做生意

作 is also used in some common nouns

作 is also commonly used as part of some words, but it's not a verb in these cases:

• 作者
• 作文

作 can also be an adjective meaning "high maintenance"

In this case, 作 is pronounced "zuō."

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Sources and further reading

Websites

• “做”和“作”的区别？