做
zuò
In Chinese, the phrase for 'make' is 做 (zuò).
The verb 做 is used to express the act of producing or making something. It is a versatile word that covers both 'to do' and 'to make'.
Meaning: to produce (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 做 is the common way to say 'make' or 'do', other words can be used for specific nuances. For example, 制造 is used for manufacturing or producing something and 制作 is used for the formal act of crafting or creating something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 做 is both an intransitive and a transitive verb, and it does not change its form based on person or tense.
How do you pronounce it?
zuò
Did you know?
- The character 做 contains a component that was originally 乍 but was accidentally changed to 古 over centuries of handwriting corruption.
- While 做 can mean 'to make', you cannot use it to say you are 'making' a mistake. In Chinese, one 'commits' or 'performs' a mistake using 犯 or 出, as 做 implies a constructive process.
- When someone is 'making a scene' or acting out in Chinese, the word 做 is often used in the phrase 做作, which describes behavior that is artificial or pretentious.
Examples in context
- 做点什么吧！Make something!This example shows how to use 做 to suggest an action.Tatoeba #4264880 by notabene, translation #13246899 by LeviHighway
- 我想做个派。I want to make a pie.This example uses 做 to express an intention to make something.Tatoeba #4625752 by Yashanti, translation #2361775 by CK
- 怎麼做箱子？How do you make a box?This example uses 做 to ask about the process of making an object.Tatoeba #5595090 by verdastelo9604, translation #38347 by CK
- 他们制造了一座大桥。They made a big bridge.
- 她正在制作精美的陶瓷饰品。She is making exquisite ceramic ornaments.
- 我会帮你弄好晚饭。I'll help you make dinner.
- 别搞得太复杂了。Don't make it too complicated.
- 91 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Wei are talking about a DIY project.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen你想做这个书架吗？Nǐ xiǎng zuò zhège shūjià ma?Do you want to make this bookshelf?
- 伟 Wei我想做，但我没有工具。Wǒ xiǎng zuò, dàn wǒ méiyǒu gōngjù.I want to make it, but I don't have tools.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen可以用我的工具做。Kěyǐ yòng wǒ de gōngjù zuò.You can use my tools to make it.
- 伟 Wei太好了，谢谢你，晓雯。Tài hǎole, xièxiè nǐ, Xiǎowén.Great, thank you, Xiaowen.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 做, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
