Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 verb #300 le plus courant 10 min de lecture

工作

gongzuo Top 300

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 工作 en 30 secondes

Explication 工作 in your Level:

At the A1 level, 工作 (gōngzuò) is introduced as a basic noun and verb to describe one's daily life and occupation. Learners are expected to use it in simple 'Subject + Verb' or 'Subject + Noun' structures. For example, '我工作' (I work) or '这是我的工作' (This is my work). The primary focus at this level is on the '在 + Place + 工作' pattern, which allows students to describe their environment. A1 learners should be able to answer the question '你在哪儿工作？' (Where do you work?) with a simple location like '学校' (school), '医院' (hospital), or '公司' (company). The vocabulary surrounding 工作 at this stage is limited to basic adjectives like '忙' (busy) or '好' (good). The goal is to establish the fundamental connection between a person and their professional activity without worrying about complex grammar like resultative complements or formal registers. It is essential for A1 students to distinguish 工作 from 学习 (study), as these are the two primary 'roles' a person can have in basic introductory Chinese. By the end of A1, a student should be able to introduce themselves, their job title, and their place of work using this word.

At the A2 level, the use of 工作 (gōngzuò) expands to include more descriptive elements and basic time expressions. Learners begin to use measure words like 份 (fèn) to quantify jobs, as in '我换了一份工作' (I changed a job). The grammar becomes slightly more complex with the introduction of the particle 了 (le) to indicate completed actions or durations, such as '他工作了三年' (He has worked for three years). A2 learners also start to use 工作 in conjunction with modal verbs like 想 (want) or 喜欢 (like), allowing them to express preferences and future intentions regarding their career. They can describe their work routine using '开始工作' (start work) and '结束工作' (finish work). Furthermore, the word begins to appear in common phrases like '找工作' (look for a job). At this stage, students should be able to hold a short conversation about their work day, mentioning if they are busy, if they like their colleagues, and how long their commute is. The distinction between 工作 and 上班 becomes more important here, as learners start to talk about specific daily schedules.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Moving into the B1 level, 工作 (gōngzuò) is used to discuss more abstract concepts like job satisfaction, professional development, and workplace relationships. Learners are expected to use the word in complex sentences involving conjunctions like '因为...所以...' (because... therefore...) or '虽然...但是...' (although... but...). For example, '虽然这份工作很累，但是工资很高' (Although this job is tiring, the salary is high). B1 students also encounter 工作 as part of compound nouns like '工作经验' (work experience), '工作压力' (work pressure), and '工作环境' (work environment). They can participate in discussions about the job market, interview processes, and the pros and cons of different professions. The use of 工作 as a verb becomes more nuanced, often appearing with adverbs of manner like '努力' (hard) or '认真' (seriously). At this level, the learner is not just stating facts about their job but is expressing opinions and describing experiences. They should be able to write a basic resume or a short paragraph describing their professional background and future career goals using 工作 and its related vocabulary.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, 工作 (gōngzuò) appears in the context of professional debates, economic analysis, and social issues. Learners use the word to discuss topics like '工作与生活的平衡' (work-life balance), '失业率' (unemployment rate), and '职业道德' (professional ethics). The grammar involves more sophisticated structures, such as the '把' construction or passive '被' sentences, e.g., '他把工作做完了' (He finished the work) or '他的工作被认可了' (His work was recognized). B2 learners are expected to understand the nuance between 工作 and more formal synonyms like 职场 (the workplace/career world) or 岗位 (post/position). They can read news articles about labor laws, corporate culture, and the impact of technology on 工作. In conversation, they can argue for or against certain work practices, such as remote work or overtime culture. The word is no longer just a label for a daily task but a component of a larger socio-economic discourse. Learners should be able to handle a professional interview in Chinese, discussing their 工作职责 (work responsibilities) and 工作成就 (work achievements) with fluency and appropriate register.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, 工作 (gōngzuò) is integrated into high-level academic, literary, and professional discourse. Learners explore the word's role in government reports, legal documents, and philosophical essays. They analyze the '政府工作报告' (Government Work Report) or discuss the '工作机制' (working mechanism) of complex organizations. The vocabulary expands to include idiomatic expressions and classical allusions related to labor and diligence, such as '兢兢业业' (cautious and conscientious). C1 students can discuss the sociological implications of 工作 in the 21st century, including the 'gig economy' and the 'involution' (内卷) of the Chinese workplace. They are expected to use 工作 with high precision, distinguishing it from terms like 劳动力 (labor force) or 生产力 (productivity) in technical contexts. Writing at this level involves synthesizing information from multiple sources to produce reports or essays on labor trends. The learner's command of 工作 reflects a deep understanding of how professional life intersects with Chinese policy, tradition, and modern social psychology.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, the mastery of 工作 (gōngzuò) is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker. The learner can appreciate the subtle rhetorical uses of the word in political speeches, classical literature, and avant-garde cinema. They can discuss the 'ontological significance of work' or the 'deconstruction of the traditional work model' in academic seminars. C2 learners are sensitive to the historical evolution of the term, from its roots in manual craft to its modern association with digital labor. They can use 工作 in highly specialized fields, such as '工作流引擎' (workflow engine) in software engineering or '工作分析' (job analysis) in human resources management. At this stage, the learner can navigate any professional or social situation with total ease, using 工作 to build complex metaphors or to engage in sophisticated wordplay. They can critique the cultural narrative of 工作 in China, comparing it with Western concepts of 'vocation' or 'labor.' Their use of the word is not just grammatically perfect but culturally and contextually profound, reflecting a complete immersion in the Chinese linguistic and social world.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

工作 en 30 secondes

工作 (gōngzuò) is the standard Chinese word for 'work' or 'job,' functioning as both a noun and a verb.
It is used in professional contexts to describe employment, tasks, and the act of working at a specific location.
Common patterns include '在 + Place + 工作' (work at a place) and '一份工作' (a job).
It is a high-frequency, neutral word suitable for all levels of formality from A1 to C2.

The word 工作 (gōngzuò) is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the Chinese language, particularly for those entering the professional sphere or engaging in daily social interactions. At its core, it functions as both a noun meaning 'work' or 'job' and a verb meaning 'to work.' Understanding this duality is crucial because, unlike English where 'work' and 'job' are often distinct nouns with different grammatical constraints, 工作 covers almost the entire spectrum of labor-related activity. In a Chinese cultural context, 工作 is not just a means of earning a living; it is a central pillar of social identity. When you meet someone for the first time in China, asking about their 工作 is a standard, polite way to establish rapport and understand their social standing. It is used in formal settings like business meetings, informal settings like family dinners, and academic settings when discussing economics or sociology. The character 工 (gōng) originally depicted a carpenter's square, symbolizing craft and labor, while 作 (zuò) means to do or to make. Together, they represent the active process of creation and the structured role one occupies in society.

The Noun Form: Your Job: When used as a noun, 工作 refers to your profession or the specific tasks you perform. For example, '我的工作是老师' (My job is a teacher). It can be quantified with the measure word 份 (fèn), as in '一份工作' (a job).
The Verb Form: To Work: As a verb, it describes the action of working. It is often preceded by a location using the '在 + Place' structure. For instance, '他在银行工作' (He works at a bank). It is a formal and neutral term, appropriate for almost any professional context.

我每天早上九点开始工作，下午五点下班。
— I start work at nine every morning and get off at five.

找一份好工作并不容易。
— Finding a good job is not easy.

Frequency and Reach: In modern China, discussions about 工作 are ubiquitous. From the '996' work culture (9 AM to 9 PM, 6 days a week) to the rise of 'digital nomads,' the word appears in news headlines, social media debates, and daily greetings. It is a high-frequency word that transcends social classes.

他在努力工作，为了给家人更好的生活。
— He is working hard to provide a better life for his family.

你的工作环境怎么样？
— How is your work environment?

Abstract Usage: Beyond employment, 工作 can refer to the 'functioning' of a machine or a system, though this is more common in technical manuals. For a beginner, focus on the human element: the person, the place, and the effort.

我们需要重新安排工作流程。
— We need to rearrange the work process.

Mastering the usage of 工作 (gōngzuò) requires an understanding of Chinese word order and the specific particles that accompany it. Unlike English, which uses prepositions like 'at,' 'in,' or 'for' after the verb, Chinese places the location or the entity one works for before the verb. This structural difference is the primary hurdle for learners. Additionally, 工作 can be modified by adjectives to describe the nature of the job, or it can be the object of verbs like 'to find,' 'to lose,' or 'to change.' In this section, we will break down the most common sentence patterns and provide detailed explanations of how to construct them accurately.

Pattern 1: Subject + 在 + Place + 工作: This is the standard way to say where someone works. The '在' (zài) acts as a preposition meaning 'at' or 'in.' Example: '我在学校工作' (I work at a school). This pattern is rigid; you cannot place the location after the verb.
Pattern 2: Subject + 的 + 工作 + 是 + Profession: This uses 工作 as a noun to define someone's job title. Example: '他的工作是医生' (His job is a doctor). It is more formal than simply saying '他是医生' (He is a doctor).

你工作了多长时间？
— How long have you been working?

我正在找一份新的工作。
— I am currently looking for a new job.

Pattern 3: Adjective + 工作: To describe work, use adjectives like 忙 (máng - busy), 累 (lèi - tiring), or 轻松 (qīngsōng - easy/relaxed). Example: '这份工作很累' (This job is very tiring).

他因为工作太忙，没时间吃饭。
— Because his work is too busy, he doesn't have time to eat.

我们应该把工作和生活分开。
— We should separate work and life.

Pattern 4: 为 (wèi) + Entity + 工作: This is used to say who you work for (a company or a person). Example: '我为这家公司工作了十年' (I have worked for this company for ten years).

你的工作内容包括什么？
— What does your work content include?

The word 工作 (gōngzuò) is an inescapable part of the Chinese auditory landscape. From the moment you step into a professional environment to the casual conversations held over tea, this word serves as a constant anchor. In a society that places a high value on industriousness and career achievement, 工作 is more than just a label for labor; it is a topic of profound social significance. You will hear it in the rhythmic announcements of subway stations near business districts, in the hushed tones of job interviews, and in the loud, energetic discussions of entrepreneurs in tech hubs like Shenzhen or Beijing. Understanding the contexts in which 工作 appears will help you navigate Chinese social dynamics with greater ease and cultural sensitivity.

In the Office: Colleagues will frequently use 工作 to discuss tasks. You'll hear phrases like '工作汇报' (work report) or '工作安排' (work arrangement). It sounds professional and serious, setting the tone for the business day.
In Social Introductions: When meeting new people, the question '你在哪儿工作？' (Where do you work?) is almost as common as 'What is your name?'. It is a neutral, non-intrusive way to learn about someone's background.

对不起，我现在正在工作，等会儿给你回电话。
— Sorry, I am working right now; I'll call you back later.

祝你工作顺利！
— I wish you smooth work! (A common blessing)

In the News and Media: Economic reports will use terms like '就业工作' (employment work) or '政府工作报告' (Government Work Report). Here, the word takes on a macro-level significance, referring to the collective efforts of the state or the labor market.

他的工作态度非常认真。
— His work attitude is very serious.

这份工作需要经常出差。
— This job requires frequent business trips.

In Academic Settings: Teachers might ask students about their '工作计划' (work plan) for a project. Even though it's schoolwork, the term 工作 is used to instill a sense of professional responsibility.

由于工作原因，他搬到了上海。
— Due to work reasons, he moved to Shanghai.

Even though 工作 (gōngzuò) is an A1-level word, its versatility leads to several persistent errors among English speakers. The most common mistakes stem from direct translation of English syntax into Chinese, or from confusing 工作 with similar-sounding or related terms. Because Chinese grammar relies heavily on word order rather than inflection, placing 工作 in the wrong part of the sentence can change the meaning entirely or make the sentence unintelligible. In this section, we will dissect these common pitfalls and provide clear rules for avoiding them, ensuring your Chinese sounds natural and professional.

Mistake 1: Placing the Location After the Verb: English speakers often say '我工作在学校' (I work at school). In Chinese, the location must come before the verb: '我在学校工作.' This is the 'Place + Verb' rule that applies to almost all actions in Chinese.
Mistake 2: Confusing '工作' with '上班': While both relate to work, 上班 (shàngbān) is a 'separable verb' meaning 'to go to work' or 'to be on duty.' You cannot say '我工作九点' to mean 'I start work at nine.' You should say '我九点上班.'

错误：他工作在医院。 (Wrong)
正确：他在医院工作。 (Correct)

错误：我有一个工作。 (Awkward)
正确：我有一份工作。 (Natural)

Mistake 3: Using '工作' for 'Homework': Students often mistakenly use 工作 to refer to their school assignments. Homework is 作业 (zuòyè). 工作 is strictly for professional labor or the general concept of 'work.'

错误：老师，我的工作做完了。 (Wrong context)
正确：老师，我的作业做完了。 (Correct)

错误：我三个小时工作了。 (Wrong)
正确：我工作了三个小时。 (Correct)

Mistake 4: Overusing '工作': In English, we say 'It works!' when a machine starts. In Chinese, you wouldn't say '它工作了!' Instead, you'd say '它开了' (It's on) or '它好了' (It's fixed/ready). 工作 is mostly for human labor.

错误：我的电脑不工作了。 (Literal but rare)
正确：我的电脑坏了。 (My computer is broken/not working.)

While 工作 (gōngzuò) is the most versatile term for work, the Chinese language offers a rich palette of synonyms and related terms that convey specific nuances of formality, duration, and social status. Choosing the right word can make you sound more like a native speaker and show a deeper understanding of Chinese culture. For instance, the way a CEO describes their 'work' is different from how a construction worker or a student might describe theirs. In this section, we will compare 工作 with its closest relatives, highlighting when to use each one to ensure your communication is precise and contextually appropriate.

工作 (gōngzuò) vs. 职业 (zhíyè): 工作 is 'work' or 'job' (general). 职业 is 'profession' or 'occupation' (more formal/academic). You have a 工作, but you belong to a 职业 like 'medicine' or 'law.'
工作 (gōngzuò) vs. 上班 (shàngbān): 工作 is the activity or the role. 上班 is the act of going to the workplace or being on the clock. You can 工作 from home without 上班 (going to the office).

他的职业是律师，他在一家大律所工作。
— His profession is a lawyer, and he works at a large law firm.

我今天手头有很多活儿要做。
— I have a lot of tasks/work on my hands today.

工作 (gōngzuò) vs. 事业 (shìyè): 工作 is a job you do for money. 事业 is a 'career' or 'lifelong cause.' It implies passion, long-term goals, and significant achievement. A successful person has a great 事业.

他不仅有一份好工作，还拥有成功的发展事业。
— He not only has a good job but also a successful career.

这可不是一件容易的差事。
— This is not an easy task/job.

Summary Table: Use 工作 for 90% of situations. Use 上班 for the daily commute/shift. Use 职业 for formal forms. Use 事业 when talking about dreams and long-term success.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

In ancient China, '工' was one of the four social classes (Shi, Nong, Gong, Shang), representing artisans and craftsmen. Today, it has evolved to cover all types of modern labor, including white-collar office work.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ɡʊŋ.tswɔː/

US /ɡʊŋ.tswoʊ/

The stress is balanced between both syllables, though the tones define the emphasis.

Rime avec

中 (zhōng) 红 (hóng) 空 (kōng) 坐 (zuò) 做 (zuò) 错 (cuò) 多 (duō) 火 (huǒ)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'gong' like the English word 'gone'.
Pronouncing 'zuo' like 'zoo'.
Failing to distinguish the high flat tone (1st) and the falling tone (4th).
Merging the 'z' and 'u' into a soft 'j' sound.
Missing the 'ng' nasal ending in 'gong'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

The characters are simple and high-frequency, making them easy to recognize early on.

Écriture 2/5

The character '作' has a few strokes, but it is very common and follows standard radical rules.

Expression orale 1/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, though the fourth tone on 'zuo' must be clear.

Écoute 1/5

It is one of the most common words in daily conversation, making it easy to pick out.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

我 (I) 在 (at/in) 是 (is/am/are) 什么 (what) 哪儿 (where)

Apprends ensuite

上班 (go to work) 公司 (company) 职业 (profession) 工资 (salary) 忙 (busy)

Avancé

岗位 (post) 职场 (workplace) 履历 (resume) 晋升 (promotion) 辞职 (resign)

Grammaire à connaître

Place before Verb

我在学校工作。

Duration after Verb

我工作了八小时。

Measure word '份'

一份好工作。

Possessive '的'

我的工作。

Continuous '正在'

他正在工作。

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

他在北京工作。

He works in Beijing.

Subject + 在 + Place + 工作.

我的工作很忙。

My work is very busy.

Possessive + 工作 + Adjective.

你喜欢你的工作吗？

Do you like your job?

Question with 吗.

他在医院工作。

He works at a hospital.

Standard location pattern.

我没有工作。

I don't have a job.

Negation with 没有.

这是什么工作？

What kind of job is this?

Question with 什么.

她想找工作。

She wants to find a job.

Modal verb 想 + Verb phrase.

我们一起工作。

We work together.

Adverb 一起 before the verb.

我换了一份新工作。

I changed to a new job.

Use of measure word 份.

他工作了五年。

He has worked for five years.

Verb + 了 + Duration.

工作以后，我想去旅游。

After work, I want to go traveling.

Time phrase using 以后.

这份工作不难。

This job is not difficult.

Negation of an adjective.

你在哪儿找的工作？

Where did you find the job?

是...的 construction for emphasis (implied).

他每天工作八小时。

He works eight hours every day.

Frequency and duration.

我的工作是教汉语。

My job is teaching Chinese.

工作 as a noun subject.

为了工作，他去了上海。

For the sake of work, he went to Shanghai.

Purpose phrase with 为了.

工作压力太大了，我想休息。

The work pressure is too much; I want to rest.

Compound noun 工作压力.

他有丰富的工作经验。

He has rich work experience.

Adjective + 工作经验.

我们正在讨论工作计划。

We are currently discussing the work plan.

Continuous aspect with 正在.

找到一份理想的工作不容易。

Finding an ideal job is not easy.

Gerund-like usage of the verb phrase.

由于工作原因，我不能参加聚会。

Due to work reasons, I cannot attend the party.

Formal cause phrase 由于...原因.

他的工作态度非常认真。

His work attitude is very serious.

Possessive + 工作态度.

这份工作需要经常出差。

This job requires frequent business trips.

Verb 需要 + Verb phrase.

他在工作中遇到了很多困难。

He encountered many difficulties in his work.

Locative phrase 在...中.

我们需要改善工作环境。

We need to improve the work environment.

Verb 改善 + Object.

工作与生活的平衡非常重要。

Work-life balance is very important.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

他被这份工作折磨得很累。

He was exhausted by this job.

Passive 被 construction.

政府正在努力增加工作岗位。

The government is working hard to increase job positions.

Specific term 工作岗位.

他把所有的精力都投入到了工作中。

He put all his energy into his work.

把 construction + 投入.

这份工作的前景非常广阔。

The prospects of this job are very broad.

Noun 工作 + 的 + 前景.

他因为工作失误被降职了。

He was demoted because of a work error.

Cause phrase + Passive voice.

我们需要重新评估工作流程。

We need to re-evaluate the work process.

Adverb 重新 + Verb.

政府工作报告强调了经济增长。

The Government Work Report emphasized economic growth.

Formal compound noun.

这种工作机制已经不再适应现代社会。

This kind of working mechanism is no longer suited to modern society.

Abstract concept 工作机制.

他在工作中表现出了极高的专业素养。

He showed extremely high professionalism in his work.

Formal expression 专业素养.

我们需要对工作内容进行细化。

We need to refine the work content.

Formal structure 对...进行.

工作效率的提高取决于技术的进步。

The improvement of work efficiency depends on technological progress.

Subject clause + 取决于.

他兢兢业业地工作了三十年。

He worked cautiously and conscientiously for thirty years.

Four-character idiom as adverb.

这份工作涉及到大量的法律条文。

This job involves a large number of legal clauses.

Verb 涉及到.

我们需要建立一个高效的工作团队。

We need to build an efficient work team.

Verb 建立 + Object.

工作的本质在于创造价值，而非单纯的劳作。

The essence of work lies in creating value, not simple labor.

Philosophical structure 在于...而非.

他试图通过文学作品来探讨工作的异化。

He tries to explore the alienation of work through literary works.

Academic term 异化 (alienation).

这种新型的工作模式打破了传统的时空限制。

This new work model has broken traditional time and space constraints.

Complex subject + Verb + Object.

他在政府工作中积累了深厚的政治资本。

He accumulated deep political capital in his government work.

Metaphorical use of 'capital'.

工作流的自动化是企业转型升级的关键。

Workflow automation is the key to enterprise transformation and upgrading.

Technical term 工作流.

我们应当审视工作在个人身份认同中的角色。

We should examine the role of work in personal identity.

Formal verb 审视.

该项研究揭示了工作满意度与心理健康的正相关性。

The study revealed a positive correlation between job satisfaction and mental health.

Scientific/Academic register.

他的一生都致力于社会福利工作。

His whole life was dedicated to social welfare work.

Verb 致力于 (dedicated to).

Collocations courantes

找工作

换工作

努力工作

工作经验

工作压力

工作环境

工作时间

失去工作

工作效率

工作顺利

Phrases Courantes

工作日

— Working days (Monday to Friday).

工作日我很忙。

工作证

— Work ID or employee card.

请出示你的工作证。

工作服

— Work clothes or uniform.

在工厂要穿工作服。

工作狂

— Workaholic; someone obsessed with work.

他是个典型的工作狂。

工作量

— Workload; the amount of work to be done.

最近的工作量很大。

工作餐

— Working lunch or a simple meal provided at work.

我们中午吃工作餐。

工作重点

— Work focus or key priority.

这是我们下周的工作重点。

工作关系

— Professional relationship or work-related connection.

我们只是工作关系。

工作报告

— Work report; a document detailing progress.

他正在写工作报告。

工作能力

— Work ability or professional competence.

他的工作能力很强。

Souvent confondu avec

工作 vs 作业

Students often use '工作' for homework. '作业' is for school, '工作' is for professional labor.

工作 vs 上班

'上班' is the act of going to the office. '工作' is the labor itself.

工作 vs 公主

Sounds similar (gōngzhǔ), but means 'princess.' Watch the tones!

Expressions idiomatiques

"兢兢业业"

— To be cautious and conscientious in one's work.

他工作兢兢业业，深受好评。

Formal

"废寝忘食"

— To forget to eat and sleep due to being engrossed in work.

为了完成项目，他废寝忘食地工作。

Literary

"任劳任怨"

— To work hard without complaint despite criticism.

他在工作中任劳任怨。

Commendatory

"事半功倍"

— To get twice the result with half the effort.

好的工具能让工作事半功倍。

Neutral

"事倍功半"

— To get half the result with twice the effort.

方法不对，工作就会事倍功半。

Neutral

"各司其职"

— Each person performs their own duties.

在团队中，大家应该各司其职。

Formal

"精益求精"

— To constantly strive for perfection in one's work.

他对工作精益求精。

Formal

"埋头苦干"

— To immerse oneself in hard work.

他只会埋头苦干，不善交际。

Neutral

"一劳永逸"

— To do something once and for all.

我们想找一个一劳永逸的工作方法。

Neutral

"游刃有余"

— To do a job with skill and ease.

他处理这项工作游刃有余。

Literary

Facile à confondre

工作 vs 上班

Both mean 'work' in English.

上班 is a verb for the shift/commute. 工作 is the noun/verb for the career/labor.

我九点上班，开始工作。

工作 vs 职业

Both refer to jobs.

职业 is the formal category (e.g., medical profession). 工作 is the specific job you have.

我的职业是医生，我在医院工作。

工作 vs 事业

Both relate to career.

事业 implies a long-term, meaningful pursuit or achievement. 工作 is just the job.

他把这份工作当成了自己的事业。

工作 vs 劳动

Both mean labor/work.

劳动 emphasizes physical effort or the general concept of labor. 工作 is more about employment.

体力劳动也是一种工作。

工作 vs 活儿

Both mean work/task.

活儿 is colloquial and often refers to a specific piece of manual work.

这活儿太累了。

Structures de phrases

我在 [Place] 工作。

我在商店工作。

我的工作是 [Job Title]。

我的工作是老师。

我找了一份 [Adjective] 工作。

我找了一份新工作。

他工作了 [Duration]。

他工作了三年。

由于 [Reason]，我的工作很忙。

由于项目紧，我的工作很忙。

在工作中，我学到了 [Skill]。

在工作中，我学到了很多技能。

我们需要提高 [Noun] 工作效率。

我们需要提高团队的工作效率。

[Subject] 致力于 [Type] 工作。

他致力于环保工作。

Famille de mots

Noms

工人 (worker)

工资 (salary)

工具 (tool)

工地 (construction site)

工厂 (factory)

Verbes

制作 (to make)

写作 (to write)

操作 (to operate)

合作 (to cooperate)

Adjectifs

工业的 (industrial)

手工的 (handmade)

Apparenté

劳动 (labor)

职业 (profession)

就业 (employment)

失业 (unemployment)

创业 (entrepreneurship)

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; ranked in the top 500 most common Chinese words.

Erreurs courantes

我工作在银行。 → 我在银行工作。
In Chinese, the location (prepositional phrase) must precede the verb.
我有一个工作。 → 我有一份工作。
The correct measure word for a job position is '份', not '个'.
我的工作很忙了。 → 我的工作很忙。
Don't use '了' with adjectives unless there is a change in state. '很忙' is a description.
我做我的工作。 → 我在工作。
English speakers often translate 'doing my work' literally. In Chinese, '我在工作' is more natural.
老师，我的工作做完了。 → 老师，我的作业做完了。
Students should use '作业' for school assignments, not '工作'.

Astuces

Location First

Always place the location before the verb '工作'. Think: 'I at [Place] work.'

Measure Word

Use '份' (fèn) instead of '个' (gè) to sound more like a native speaker when counting jobs.

Social Greeting

Asking '你在哪儿工作？' is a polite and standard way to get to know someone in China.

Tone Accuracy

Make sure the fourth tone on 'zuò' is sharp and falling, like you're emphasizing the action.

Character Balance

In '工', the top horizontal line is slightly shorter than the bottom one.

Context Clues

If you hear '工作' after '找' (zhǎo), it's almost always the noun 'job'.

Interview Prep

Learn the phrase '工作经验' (work experience) as it's the most important term for job seekers.

Work vs. Shift

Use '上班' for your 9-to-5 schedule and '工作' for your career as a whole.

Conscientious Work

Use '兢兢业业' to describe someone who is very dedicated and careful in their work.

Smooth Work

Say '祝你工作顺利' to colleagues before a big project or a new job.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'Gong' as the sound of a 'Gong' hitting at the start of a shift, and 'Zuo' as 'Doing' something. Gong-Zuo: The sound of doing work.

Association visuelle

Imagine a carpenter's square (工) being used by a person (the radical in 作) to build a house.

Word Web

工 (tool) 作 (to do) 工人 (worker) 工资 (pay) 作业 (homework) 作者 (author) 工业 (industry) 作品 (artwork)

Défi

Try to use '工作' in three different ways today: as a noun for your job, as a verb for where you work, and with an adjective like '忙' (busy).

Origine du mot

The word is a compound of two ancient characters. '工' (gōng) dates back to oracle bone script and represents a tool, likely a carpenter's square. '作' (zuò) combines '人' (person) and '乍' (suddenly/to start), implying a person starting an action or making something.

Sens originel : Originally, '工' referred to craftsmanship or a skilled artisan, while '作' referred to the act of creation or rising up to do something.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexte culturel

Be careful when asking about salary (工资) alongside '工作' in some contexts, though it is more common in China than in the West.

In English, 'work' is often seen as separate from 'life,' whereas in Chinese culture, '工作' is often more integrated into one's social identity.

The 'Government Work Report' (政府工作报告) delivered annually at the Two Sessions. The song 'Labor is Most Glorious' (劳动最光荣). Modern TV dramas like 'The Ideal City' (理想之城) which focus on workplace dynamics.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Job Interview

谈谈你的工作经验。
你为什么想申请这份工作？
我的工作职责包括...
你对这份工作有什么期待？

Office Small Talk

最近工作忙吗？
你的工作环境怎么样？
祝你工作顺利！
下班后一起吃饭吧。

Social Introduction

你在哪儿工作？
你的工作是什么？
我还没找到工作。
他在那家公司工作很久了。

At the Bank/Government Office

请填写你的工作单位。
你的工作证明在哪里？
这是我的工作证。
我们需要核实你的工作信息。

Discussing Career Plans

我想换一份工作。
这份工作很有前途。
他打算辞掉这份工作。
找工作需要耐心。

Amorces de conversation

"你在哪儿工作？(Where do you work?)"

"你喜欢你的工作吗？(Do you like your job?)"

"你最近工作忙不忙？(Are you busy with work lately?)"

"你在这儿工作多久了？(How long have you been working here?)"

"你想找什么样的工作？(What kind of job do you want to find?)"

Sujets d'écriture

描述你理想的工作环境。(Describe your ideal work environment.)

你今天的工作顺利吗？为什么？(Was your work smooth today? Why?)

谈谈你第一份工作的经历。(Talk about your experience with your first job.)

你觉得工作和生活的平衡重要吗？(Do you think work-life balance is important?)

如果你可以换工作，你想做什么？(If you could change jobs, what would you want to do?)

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

No, this is a common mistake. In Chinese, the location must come before the verb. You should say '我在学校工作' (I at school work).

The most common and appropriate measure word is '份' (fèn). For example, '一份工作' (a job). Using '一个' is understandable but less natural.

It is both! As a noun, it means 'job' or 'work' (我的工作). As a verb, it means 'to work' (他在工作).

You say '我在找工作' (Wǒ zài zhǎo gōngzuò). '找' means to look for.

上班 (shàngbān) specifically means going to work or starting a shift. 工作 (gōngzuò) is the general term for working or having a job.

No. Homework is '作业' (zuòyè). Using '工作' for school assignments sounds like you are a professional employee of the school.

You say '工作经验' (gōngzuò jīngyàn). This is a very common phrase in resumes and interviews.

It is neutral and standard. It can be used in both formal business settings and casual daily conversations.

You can say '努力工作' (working hard) or use the adjective '勤奋' (qínfèn).

Yes, but it's more formal. In daily life, if a machine works, we usually say '它好了' or '它能用了'. '工作' is primarily for humans.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes