Chinese word

工作

Pronunciation

Pinyingōng zuò

Meaning

  • nounwork

Example

我今天有很多工作要做。wǒ jīn tiān yǒu hěn duō gōng zuò yào zuò

I have a lot of work to do today.

Illustration for 工作 (work)

More examples

她终于找到工作了。tā zhōng yú zhǎo dào gōng zuò le

She finally found work.

Core concept

Time and effort directed toward a useful duty, activity, or role.

Common phrases

  • 找到工作zhǎo dào gōng zuò

    find work

  • 找工作zhǎo gōng zuò

    look for work

  • 做工作zuò gōng zuò

    do work

Similar words

职业zhí yè: A person's occupation or professional field.

Definition in Chinese

人的职业活动或为履行职责而进行的劳动，也可泛指需要投入时间与精力的任务或事务。rén de zhí yè huó dòng huò wèi lǚ xíng zhí zé ér jìn xíng de láo dòng yě kě fàn zhǐ xū yào tóu rù shí jiān yǔ jīng lì de rèn wù huò shì wù

Word origin

工作 (gōngzuò, "work") is built from 工 (gōng, "craft") + 作 (zuò, "make"), connecting skilled making with the broader idea of work.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may connect this word only with paid employment, but it also covers school duties and other responsibilities, so age or pay does not limit its use.

Other meanings

  • laborverb
  • tasknoun
  • jobnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word