写作
xiězuò
The English word "writing" can be translated into Chinese as 写作 (xiězuò).
写作 is used to refer to the creative act or profession of writing, such as the process of composing an academic paper, an essay or a literary work.
Meaning: process of representing a language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 写, meaning "to write" and 作, meaning "to create or compose".
Which one should you use?
While 写作 refers to the art or the act of composition, it is different from 写字, which focuses on the physical act of forming characters or handwriting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain northern regions of China, particularly Beijing, the informal term 写字儿 may be used to describe writing.
How does it change in a sentence?
写作 is versatile and can function as both a noun (the act of writing) and a verb (to write or to compose) depending on the context of your sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
xiězuò
Did you know?
- In ancient Chinese contexts, the concept of 'writing' was often inseparable from 'ritual' or 'calligraphy', meaning that 'writing' was not just a way to record information but a way to demonstrate moral cultivation.
- The character 写 originally depicted a hand holding a brush to copy a text. This reflects the historical importance of calligraphy in Chinese culture, where the physical beauty of the writing is as valued as the content.
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 'Four Treasures of the Study' are the tools required for 写作: the brush, ink, paper and inkstone.
Examples in context
- 她靠写作生活。She makes a living from writing.This sentence shows how someone can earn a living using 写作.Tatoeba #375285 by fucongcong, translation #10515989 by sundown
- 她的写作很好。Her writing is very good.This sentence is useful for praising the quality of someone's 写作.Tatoeba #788164 by U2FS, translation #1479249 by weihaiping
- 我对写作很感兴趣。I am very interested in writing.
- 你平时会写东西吗？Do you usually write anything?
- 请用毛笔书写这几个字。Please write these characters with a brush.
- 他在练习写作。Tā zài liànxí xiězuò.He is practicing writing.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Haoran and Xiaowen are discussing his new hobby.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，我在练习写作。Xiǎowén, wǒ zài liànxí xiězuò.Xiaowen, I am practicing writing.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen真的吗？很有趣。Zhēn de ma? Hěn yǒuqù.Really? That's very interesting.
- 浩然 Haoran我喜欢这种写作过程。Wǒ xǐhuān zhè zhǒng xiězuò guòchéng.I like this writing process.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你很有天赋。Hàorán, nǐ hěn yǒu tiānfù.Haoran, you are very talented.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
