Comparing the two "zuo"

Revision as of 06:46, 13 October 2021 by Malihua (talk | contribs)

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.











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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