Comparing "gan" and "zuo"
干 and 做 both are verbs that mean “to do” as in “to do work” or “to do a job.” 做 can be used in formal/informal settings, whereas 干 is used more often in informal speech and writing. A key difference between these words is 做 also can mean “to do” in the sense of “to make”, whereas 干 does not have this usage.
| 干 (gàn) | 做 (zuò) | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to do | to do, to make |
| Part of Speech | verb | verb |
| Formality | informal | flexible |
Contents
To say “to do” in the sense of “to make” use 做
Common Phrases
- 做饭
- 做衣服
- 做家具
To say “to do” in the sense of “to act” or “to take action” use 干
Common Phrases
- 干活儿
