Difference between revisions of "Comparing "gan" and "zuo""

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== 干 does have some common informal set phrases ==
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== 干 has some common informal set phrases ==
  
 
These phrases are common in informal speech and writing (such as on WeChat), so you should really know them.
 
These phrases are common in informal speech and writing (such as on WeChat), so you should really know them.

Revision as of 07:25, 18 April 2022

干 (gàn) and 做 (zuò) are both verbs that mean "to do" as in "to do work" or "to have nothing to do." 做 can be used in both formal and informal settings, whereas 干 is used more often in informal speech and writing. A key difference between these words is that 做 also can mean "to make," whereas 干 does not have any similar usage.











B1HSK4ASV4567
干 (gàn) 做 (zuò)
Meaning to do to do, to make
Part of Speech verb verb
Formality informal flexible

干 has some common informal set phrases

These phrases are common in informal speech and writing (such as on WeChat), so you should really know them.

Common Phrases

  • 干活儿
  • 干嘛
  • 干掉

Example Sentences

  • 加例句
  • 加例句
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做 meaning "to do" has some common set phrases

Common Phrases

  • 做事

Example Sentences

  • 加例句
  • 加例句
  • 加例句

做 and 干 are often interchangeable

Just keep in mind that 干 is only suitable for informal language. Don't replace a 做 with 干 in a formal setting!

Common Phrases

  • 做什么 / 干什么

Example Sentences

  • 加例句
  • 加例句
  • 加例句

做 can mean "to make"

Common Phrases

  • 做饭
  • 做衣服
  • 做作业
  • 做爱

Example Sentences

做 can mean "to be"

Common Phrases

  • 做人
  • 做朋友

Example Sentences

  • 加例句
  • 加例句
  • 加例句

Sources and further reading

Websites