Comparing "gan" and "zuo"

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
  • 干吗

Example Sentences

  • 你在干吗?我想请你帮我一个忙。
  • 我干过很多活儿,但是都是体力活儿。
  • 自行车被偷了,这是他干的,不是我干的。
  • 我是一个快递员,每天要干十二个小时的活儿,很累。
  • 有时候 孩子 很 努力 帮 我们 干活 , 我会 奖励 他 一个 巧克力 。

做 meaning "to do" has some common set phrases

Common Phrases

  • 做手术
  • 做测试
  • 做运动
  • 做作业

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

  • 这 是 你 干 的 吗 ?
  • 这 是 你 做 的 吗 ?
  • 你是干什么的?
  • 你是做什么的?
  • 你 周末 准备 干什么 ?
  • 你 周末 准备 做什么 ?
  • 我 相信 你们 , 这 件 事 却 不 能 这样 干 。
  • 我 相信 你们 , 这 件 事 却 不 能 这样 做 。

做 can mean "to make"

Common Phrases

  • 做饭
  • 做决定
  • 做爱

Example Sentences

做 can mean "to be"

Common Phrases

  • 做朋友
  • 做医生

Example Sentences

  • 长大以后,父母希望我做一个医生。
  • 我不想和你做朋友。

Sources and further reading

Websites