作
Character learning workspace

zuō / zuò · to make

Master the form, understand its parts, and learn how it behaves in real Chinese.

Frequency #483
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Learn every stroke in 作

Replay the complete order, pause on difficult movements, inspect one stroke at a time, then write it yourself with live correction.

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Stroke graphics: Make Me a Hanzi / Arphic Public License
Sound changes meaning

Readings & meanings

作 has 2 dictionary pronunciations. The examples show how each reading behaves in real words.

zuō

(bound form) worker; (bound form) workshop; (slang) troublesome; high-maintenance (person)

zuò

to do; to engage in; to write; to compose

工作gōng zuò · to work
Step-by-step explorer

See how 作 is constructed

Switch between the accumulated form and the isolated movement of each stroke.

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Writing notes

Shape and proportion

7Total strokes

Count each continuous pen movement once, including turns and hooks.

Left-rightCharacter structure

Keep the left side compact and leave enough room for the right side.

亻Key radical

Use the highlighted radical in the animation as a visual anchor for remembering the form.

Print and practise

Download a 作 writing sheet

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Vocabulary in context

Common words with 作

Open a word for its full breakdown, or listen before reading the meaning.

zuòto do; to engage in; to write; to compose
Read and listen

Example sentences

Notice where 作 sits in each complete thought.

Zhè bú shì wǒ de gōng zuò.这不是我的工作。

That's not my job.

Source: Tatoeba #10260780 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ zhèng zài zuò wǒ de zuò yè.我正在做我的作业。

I am doing my homework.

Source: Tatoeba #4540618 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ huái yí wǒ shì bu shì yí gè hǎo zuò jiā.我怀疑我是不是一个好作家。

I doubt that I'm a good writer.

Source: Tatoeba #432357 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Zhè běn xiǎo shuō de zuò zhě shì shuí?这本小说的作者是谁?

Who is the author of this story?

Source: Tatoeba #811007 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Nǐ wán chéng nǐ de gōng zuò le ma?你完成你的工作了吗?

Are you finished with your work?

Source: Tatoeba #437446 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Wǒ de gōng zuò shì yuán liàng nǐ, wǒ zuò dào le.我的工作是原谅你,我做到了。

My job is to forgive you, which I do.

Source: Tatoeba #5694463 · CC BY 2.0 FR
Turn reference into recall

How to study 作 in context

  1. Say zuō / zuò, then recall the core meaning: to make.
  2. Write all 7 strokes while keeping the left-right balanced.
  3. Use it in 工作 (gōng zuò), meaning “to work”.
  4. Read the complete sentence aloud once, then cover the translation and explain how 作 works in that context.

Definitions and traditional forms are compiled from Make Me a Hanzi, HSK curriculum data, and CC-CEDICT. Sourced example sentences link to Tatoeba; editorial examples are labeled separately. Review data sources and licenses.