The word '作客' describes the state or action of being a guest or a temporary resident in a place.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To visit someone's home as a guest.
- To stay in a foreign place as a sojourner.
- Commonly used in sports for away games.
Overview
- 1概述：“作客”是一个复合动词，主要描述一个人作为客人的身份在特定地点（通常是朋友家、亲戚家或异乡）停留的社交行为。2) 用法模式：最常见的结构是“到/去/来 + 地点 + 作客”，例如“到朋友家作客”。它既可以指短期的登门拜访，也可以指较长时间的客居。3) 常见语境：在日常社交中，它用于礼貌地描述访问他人；在体育新闻中，常用来形容球队前往对方主场比赛（即“客场挑战”）；在文学语境中，常用于表达“作客他乡”，带有某种漂泊感。4) 词义辨析：关于“作客”与“做客”的区别，现代汉语中在表示“当客人”时两者经常通用，但传统上，“做客”侧重于受邀访问、短时间停留，而“作客”更侧重于长期寄居在他乡（如“作客异乡”）。在规范用法中，表示“访问”时推荐用“做客”，但“作客”在新闻和文学中依然广泛存在。
Examples
欢迎你有空到我家作客。
everydayYou are welcome to visit my home when you are free.
该队本轮将作客挑战卫冕冠军。
formalThe team will play away against the defending champion this round.
他在异国他乡作客多年，心中满是思乡之情。
informalHe has been living abroad as a sojourner for many years, his heart filled with nostalgia.
张教授曾应邀到多所大学作客讲学。
academicProfessor Zhang was invited to visit several universities as a guest lecturer.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
远道作客
to visit from a long distance
作客异乡
to live in a foreign land
Often Confused With
While often interchangeable, '做客' is usually for short social visits, while '作客' can also mean living in a foreign place.
A '游客' is a tourist traveling for pleasure, while someone who is '作客' has a host relationship.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
In modern Mainland China, '做客' is technically preferred for visiting friends, but '作客' remains standard in sports (away games) and literature (sojourning). It is a neutral-register word suitable for most situations.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is using '作客' when you mean 'to host' (请客). Remember, the person who is '作客' is the receiver of hospitality, not the provider.
Tips
Use for both visits and stays
While often meaning a short visit, remember it can also imply living abroad temporarily.
Watch out for sports context
In news headlines, '作客' almost always refers to a sports team playing an away game.
Chinese Hospitality Etiquette
When you '作客' in China, it is polite to bring a small gift like fruit or tea for the host.
Word Origin
'作' (zuò) means to act or become; '客' (kè) means guest. It originates from the concept of assuming the status of a guest in a place not your own.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, being a good guest ('作客') involves showing respect to the host's family, often through modest behavior and the exchange of small gifts, reflecting the 'Li' (ritual/etiquette) tradition.
Memory Tip
Think of the character '作' as 'acting' the role of a '客' (guest). You are playing the part of a guest in someone else's space.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions在表示“去别人家当客人”时，两者基本通用。但“作客”常用于文学表达，指长期旅居他乡，如“作客他乡”。
指某支球队前往对手的主场进行比赛，也就是我们常说的“客场作战”。
不一定。可以直接说“欢迎来作客”，也可以具体说“去北京作客”。
它是一个中性词，既可以用于正式的书面报告、文学作品，也可以用于日常的口语交流。
Test Yourself
这个春节，我打算去叔叔家___。
“作客”表示去别人家当客人，符合语境。
关于“作客”的用法：
这是典型的体育新闻用法，指客场比赛。
去 / 我们 / 经常 / 老师家 / 作客
主语+频率副词+动作+地点+目的/状态。
Score: /3
Summary
The word '作客' describes the state or action of being a guest or a temporary resident in a place.
- To visit someone's home as a guest.
- To stay in a foreign place as a sojourner.
- Commonly used in sports for away games.
Use for both visits and stays
While often meaning a short visit, remember it can also imply living abroad temporarily.
Watch out for sports context
In news headlines, '作客' almost always refers to a sports team playing an away game.
Chinese Hospitality Etiquette
When you '作客' in China, it is polite to bring a small gift like fruit or tea for the host.
Examples
4 of 4欢迎你有空到我家作客。
You are welcome to visit my home when you are free.
该队本轮将作客挑战卫冕冠军。
The team will play away against the defending champion this round.
他在异国他乡作客多年，心中满是思乡之情。
He has been living abroad as a sojourner for many years, his heart filled with nostalgia.
张教授曾应邀到多所大学作客讲学。
Professor Zhang was invited to visit several universities as a guest lecturer.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
