Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
工作gōngzuò(gong1zuo4)
The term '工作' (gōngzuò) means 'to work' or 'to operate,' and it refers to both the action of working and the concept of a job or task. It is commonly used in various contexts, such as discussing employment, daily tasks, or machinery operation.
Frequency#144DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '工作' is closely tied to social identity and personal fulfillment, as having a stable job is often viewed as a sign of success and responsibility in society.
Memory Tip
Think of '工作' as a 'gong' ringing to signal the start of work, where '工' (gōng) represents work or labor and '作' (zuò) means to do or make. Visualize a worker ringing a gong at the start of a busy day to remind you that it’s time to get to work.
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 工作
Quick Contrast
劳作 (láozuò) - use '工作' for general work or employment contexts, while '劳作' emphasizes physical labor or hard work.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '工作' as a 'gong' ringing to signal the start of work, where '工' (gōng) represents work or labor and '作' (zuò) means to do or make. Visualize a worker ringing a gong at the start of a busy day to remind you that it’s time to get to work.
Usage Notes
'工作' is used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing employment or tasks. Common collocations include '找工作' (zhǎo gōngzuò - to look for a job) and '工作时间' (gōngzuò shíjiān - working hours). Be careful with the tones; mispronouncing can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 1 word, '工作' is foundational for discussing daily activities and jobs. Focus on using it in simple sentences and learning related vocabulary, such as '上班' (shàngbān - to go to work) and '工作日' (gōngzuòrì - workday).
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of '工作' is closely tied to social identity and personal fulfillment, as having a stable job is often viewed as a sign of success and responsibility in society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '工作' with '做' (zuò), leading to phrases like '我做在公司' (Wǒ zuò zài gōngsī - I do at company), which should be corrected to '我在公司工作' (Wǒ zài gōngsī gōngzuò - I work at a company).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 工作
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 工作 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 工作 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 工作
工作 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Your job will be kept open for your return after maternity leave.
8
埋头工作的时候，你是否忽视了自己的婚姻？
mái tóu gōng zuò de shí hòu， ， nǐ shì fǒu hū shì le zì jǐ de hūn？
While slogging at work, have you neglected your marriage?
9
如果对你来说没什么差别，我宁愿在家中工作。
rú guǒ duì nǐ lái shuō méi shí mó chà bié， ， wǒ níng yuàn zài jiā zhōng gōng。
If it's all the same to you, I'd rather work at home.
10
你一直在无目的地更换工作，从未真正投入进去。
nǐ yī zhí zài wú mù de dì gēng huàn gōng zuò， ， cóng wèi zhēn zhèng tóu rù jìn。
You'vebeen drifting from job to job without any real commitment.
Cultural Notes for 工作
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of '工作' is closely tied to social identity and personal fulfillment, as having a stable job is often viewed as a sign of success and responsibility in society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 工作
'我在公司工作' (Wǒ zài gōngsī gōngzuò).
'工作' refers specifically to work or job, while '做事' (zuò shì) means to perform tasks or do things more generally.
'工作' can refer to any work, including volunteering, but it's more commonly used for paid employment.
