Chinese word

作曲

Pronunciation

Pinyinzuò qǔ

Meaning

  • verbcompose

Example

她正在作曲一首新歌。tā zhèng zài zuò qǔ yì shǒu xīn gē

She is composing a new song.

Illustration for 作曲 (compose)

More examples

他去年开始作曲，现在已经写了好几首歌。tā qù nián kāi shǐ zuò qǔ xiàn zài yǐ jīng xiě le hǎo jí shǒu gē

He began composing last year and has already written several songs.

Core concept

Build a complete musical work by shaping melody, harmony, rhythm, and form into one structure.

Common phrases

  • 开始作曲kāi shǐ zuò qǔ

    begin composing

  • 为朋友作曲wèi péng yǒu zuò qǔ

    write music for a friend

  • 给歌手作曲gěi gē shǒu zuò qǔ

    write music for a singer

Similar words

作词zuò cí: Write the words and phrases that make up a song's lyrics.
编曲biān qǔ: Arrange an existing melody by choosing instruments, harmony, and rhythm for performance.
写歌xiě gē: Create a song by making its melody and a simple accompaniment together.

Definition in Chinese

创作乐曲的动作或过程，包括构思旋律、安排和声与节奏并确定曲式。chuàng zuò yuè qǔ de dòng zuò huò guò chéng bāo kuò gòu sī xuán lǜ ān pái hé shēng yǔ jié zòu bìng què dìng qǔ shì

Word origin

作曲 (zuòqǔ, "compose") combines 作 (zuò, "make") with 曲 (qǔ, "melody"), presenting composition as the making of an organized musical work.

Usage tips

  • A useful conversation pattern places 为 (wèi, "for") before the person or group receiving the music, while 正在 (zhèngzài, "be in progress") before the verb marks composition as ongoing.

Other meanings

  • compositionnoun

Related words

  • 作曲家zuò qǔ jiācomposernoun

Word lists with this word