To rise, start, or bring something into being. To do, make, write, compose, or work; also the result of one's actions. A person (亻) suddenly (乍) starting a piece of work.
Cooking is a hands-on action, so it takes 做. 作饭 reads as a typo.
作 can't be the standalone verb 'do'. Asking what someone is up to always uses 做.
工作 is already a verb on its own. Adding 做 sounds like you're assembling a job by hand.
做 is the everyday action verb; 作 almost never stands alone and hides inside words.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking a meal | 做饭 | 作饭 |
| What are you doing? | 你在做什么？ | 你在作什么？ |
| A job, employment | 工作 | 工做 |
No. 工作 is already the verb, so 做 turns 'I work' into 'I assemble a job.'
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| I work | 我工作 | 我做工作 |
| I'm working right now | 我在工作 | 我在做工作 |
| I do my job well | 我工作做得好 | 我做工作好 |
This heartwarming story reveals the quiet devotion of a father. As you read, notice the repeated actions and how a simple cup of tea becomes meaningful.
常大中在一个饭店里 工作 。
老先生看看大中，对大中说：“五年前，我儿子也在这家饭店 工作 。
现在，他去北京 工作 了。
Follow Dazhong, a busy worker in China, as he finds warmth and kindness at a small noodle shop. Practice everyday words for food, weather, and expressing gratitude.
大中一个人在中国 工作 。
他 工作 很忙，天天回家都很晚。
大中有太多的 工作 ，晚上十点下班。
Meet Gao Youpeng, a friendly Beijing coworker who welcomes the narrator with local dishes and a simple language-exchange plan. This warm HSK 2 story is perfect for first readings about work and friendship.
今天是我到中为公司 工作 的第五天。
他也在中为公司 工作 ，但是因为周一我来公司的时候，他去上海了，所以我没有看见他。
This playful poem turns numbers into a rhythm of daily life. As you read, practice counting, days of the week, and common time words in a fun, memorable way.
工作 两三年，休息四五天，读书一小时，吃饭五分钟。
Meet Dr. Mi, a doctor and teacher at Sichuan University. This simple HSK 1 story shows his daily routine from morning to night, helping you learn time expressions and everyday activities.
米爸爸在四川大学医学院 工作 。
Learn the fascinating story behind the Chinese idiom '东山再起' (Dongshan Zaiji), which means to make a comeback. Discover its historical roots and modern usage.
谢安出来 工作 后，表现出色，做到了很高的位置。
Is four years to reach HSK 5 fast or slow? Follow a conversation between two learners as they compare study hours and share realistic strategies for busy adults.
我这四年要 忙工作 ，说真话，没有很多时间学汉语。
A young man helps an old man look for his cat. But the real surprise is why the old man wanted to find the cat. Read on to learn about kindness and friendship.
老先生对白天明说：“我八十岁了，儿子和女儿都在北京 工作 ，我一个人住在这里。
Follow a day from waking at six-thirty to coming home at eight, then leap across days, months, and years. This simple story helps you practice speaking about routines and life changes with clear time words.
今年有了新 工作 。
No questions or discussions yet. Have a question about this character/word? Be the first to ask!
