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March 24, 2026
作为(作為)zuòwéi(zuo4wei2)
作为 (zuòwéi) is a verb that refers to acting in a certain capacity or fulfilling a role. It can also mean to regard something in a particular way, often used to express how one perceives or interprets a situation or individual.
Frequency#570DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of roles and responsibilities is significant, often reflected in social hierarchies and relationships, such as familial roles or workplace positions. 作为 embodies this notion of identity and function within society.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person wearing different hats (each representing a role) while saying 'I do this as...' (zuò wéi). The character '作' represents action (like wearing a hat), while '为' implies the purpose or role, making it easier to associate the meaning with the pronunciation.
Meanings of 作为
zuòwéi(zuo4wei2)
1one's conduct
2deed
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 作为
作为Simplified
作為Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
介词jiècípreposition (prep.)Part of Speech
#570Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 作为
Podcast: 作为
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AI Study Notes for 作为
Quick Contrast
作为 (zuòwéi) vs 视为 (shìwéi) — use 作为 for emphasizing the role or capacity someone fulfills, while 视为 focuses more on the perception or interpretation of something.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person wearing different hats (each representing a role) while saying 'I do this as...' (zuò wéi). The character '作' represents action (like wearing a hat), while '为' implies the purpose or role, making it easier to associate the meaning with the pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 作为 with similar words like 作为者 (zuòwéi zhě, 'one who acts as'). It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of the tone; the second syllable 'wei' should be pronounced with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 作为 connects well with other verbs that describe actions and roles. Students should focus on using it in sentences that clarify relationships or roles, enhancing their understanding of context.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of roles and responsibilities is significant, often reflected in social hierarchies and relationships, such as familial roles or workplace positions. 作为 embodies this notion of identity and function within society.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 作为 by omitting context, such as saying '作为很重要' (zuòwéi hěn zhòngyào) instead of '作为一个团队成员很重要' (zuòwéi yīgè tuánduì chéngyuán hěn zhòngyào), which means 'acting as a team member is important'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 作为
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Grammar Patterns of 作为
作为 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 11 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.
A curtain acted as a divider between this class and another.
6
即便是作为一次人道主义行动，它也不过是取得了有限的成功。
jí biàn shì zuò wéi yī cì rén dào zhǔ yì háng dòng， ， tā yě bù guò shì qǔ dé le yǒu xiàn de chéng。
Even as a humanitarian mission it has been only a qualified success.
7
作为一名运动员，他早已风光不再。
zuò wéi yī míng yùn dòng yuán， ， tā zǎo yǐ fēng guāng bù。
As a sportsman, he is long past his sell-by date.
8
他作为一位睿智、具备政治家才干的州长而广受尊崇。
tā zuò wéi yī wèi ruì zhì、 、 jù bèi zhèng zhì jiā cái gān de zhōu cháng ér guǎng shòu zūn。
He was widely respected as a wise and statesmanlike governor.
9
他靠每周领取的作为病残养老金的直接转账救济支票过日子。
tā kào měi zhōu lǐng qǔ de zuò wéi bìng cán yǎng lǎo jīn de zhí jiē zhuǎn zhàng jiù jì zhī piào guò rì zǐ。
He lived on an invalidity pension which came as a weekly giro.
10
战争爆发时，他作为敌国人士遭到关押。
zhàn zhēng bào fā shí， ， tā zuò wéi dí guó rén shì zāo dào guān。
When war broke out, he was interned as an enemy alien.
vdeed4
11
他的善良作为感动了很多人。
Tā de shànliáng zuòwéi gǎndòng le hěn duō rén.
His kind deed moved many people.
12
我们要记住历史上的伟大作为。
Wǒmen yào jìzhù lìshǐ shàng de wěidà zuòwéi.
We should remember the great deeds in history.
13
他的善良作为感动了很多人。
Tā de shànliáng zuòwéi gǎndòng le hěn duō rén.
His kind deed moved many people.
14
我们要记住历史上的伟大作为。
Wǒmen yào jìzhù lìshǐ shàng de wěidà zuòwéi.
We should remember the great deeds in history.
Cultural Notes for 作为
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of roles and responsibilities is significant, often reflected in social hierarchies and relationships, such as familial roles or workplace positions. 作为 embodies this notion of identity and function within society.
Frequently Asked Questions about 作为
Yes, you can use 作为 to indicate someone’s role or job title, such as '作为老师' (zuòwéi lǎoshī) meaning 'acting as a teacher'.
They can be similar, but 作为 emphasizes the capacity or role more than just the act of being.
You can say '我作为经理，负责这个项目' (Wǒ zuòwéi jīnglǐ, fùzé zhège xiàngmù), meaning 'As the manager, I am responsible for this project'.
