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| ====== zuòyè: 作业 - Homework, Assignment, Task ====== | ====== zuòyè: 作业 - Homework, Assignment, Task ====== |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | ===== Quick Summary ===== |
| * **Keywords:** 作业, zuoye, Chinese for homework, school assignment in Chinese, do homework in Chinese, 作业 vs 功课, 作业 vs 工作, Chinese school culture, HSK 2 vocabulary, Chinese task, Chinese operation | * **Keywords:** zuoye, 作业, homework in Chinese, Chinese word for assignment, Chinese schoolwork, zuoye meaning, what does zuoye mean, HSK 2 vocabulary |
| * **Summary:** Discover the full meaning of **作业 (zuòyè)**, a fundamental Chinese word every learner must know. While it most commonly translates to "homework" or "school assignment," its meaning extends to "task" or "operation" in professional contexts. This guide explores its cultural significance in the demanding Chinese education system, provides practical examples for school and work, and clarifies common mistakes, such as confusing it with **工作 (gōngzuò)** (job) or **功课 (gōngkè)** (schoolwork/studies). | * **Summary:** "作业" (zuòyè) is the primary Chinese word for "homework" or "assignment," a fundamental term for any student of the language. Beyond a simple translation, it reflects the immense cultural importance and pressure of the Chinese education system. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural context, practical use in daily life, and key differences from similar terms like "功课" (gōngkè) and "任务" (rènwù). |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | ===== Core Meaning ===== |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zuòyè | * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zuò yè |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | * **Part of Speech:** Noun |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 2 | * **HSK Level:** 2 |
| * **Concise Definition:** A piece of work or a task assigned in school (homework) or in a professional field (operation/task). | * **Concise Definition:** An assigned piece of work or study, typically for a student. |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **作业 (zuòyè)** as any specific, assigned task within a formal system like education or a job. For students, it's the daily homework that forms the backbone of their studies. For workers, especially in technical fields, it's a defined operation or task they need to complete. It's the concrete "work" you must "do." | * **In a Nutshell:** "作业" is what a teacher gives you to do after class. While it directly translates to "homework," it carries the weight of long nights, high expectations, and a central role in a Chinese student's life. Think of it as the daily, tangible evidence of one's academic effort. |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | ===== Character Breakdown ===== |
| * **作 (zuò):** This character means "to do," "to make," or "to compose." It's an action word, implying creation or an activity being performed. Think of it as the 'doing' part. | * **作 (zuò):** This character means "to do," "to make," or "to work." It's composed of the "person" radical (亻) on the left, indicating an action done by a person. |
| * **业 (yè):** This character relates to a "line of study," "profession," "industry," or "trade." You see it in words like **毕业 (bìyè)** - to graduate, and **职业 (zhíyè)** - occupation. It represents a field or area of expertise. | * **业 (yè):** This character means "occupation," "profession," "course of study," or "trade." You can think of it as representing a specific field of work or learning. |
| When combined, **作业 (zuòyè)** literally means "to do the work of one's field." For a student, their "field" (业) is their studies, so the work (作) they do is their homework. For a field worker, their "field" (业) is their job, so the work (作) they do is their assigned task or operation. | * When combined, **作业 (zuòyè)** literally means "work of one's study/occupation." This logical combination creates the modern meaning of a task assigned as part of one's formal education or, in some cases, one's job. |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== |
| In China, **作业 (zuòyè)** is more than just homework; it's a cornerstone of the education system and a reflection of deeply ingrained cultural values. Education is seen as the primary path to success and social mobility, a belief with roots in the ancient imperial examination system. | In Chinese culture, education is often seen as the primary path to success and social mobility, and **作业 (zuòyè)** is the daily grind on that path. The concept is far more intense than its Western counterpart. |
| Consequently, **作业** is taken extremely seriously by teachers, parents, and students alike. The volume of homework is often significantly higher than in many Western countries, starting from a very young age. It's viewed not as a mere review but as a critical tool for mastering material, developing discipline, and preparing for the high-stakes exams (**高考, gāokǎo**) that determine a student's future. | For a Chinese student, **作业** isn't just a 30-minute task; it can be several hours of work every night, even for elementary school students. It often involves rote memorization, repetition, and extensive problem sets, a practice known as "题海战术" (tí hǎi zhàn shù) or "sea of questions strategy." |
| This cultural weight means that **作业** is often a source of immense pressure and a central topic of family life. Parents spend hours supervising their children's homework, and the phrase **“你作业写完了吗?” (Nǐ zuòyè xiě wán le ma? - Have you finished your homework?)** is a daily refrain in millions of Chinese households. This contrasts with a more relaxed Western view where homework is often seen as supplementary practice rather than the core of the learning experience. | This contrasts with some Western educational philosophies that may prioritize creative projects or conceptual understanding over sheer volume. In China, completing **作业** diligently is a sign of a good, hardworking student and a respectful child. Parents are heavily involved, often checking work every night, creating a dynamic of shared family pressure around academic performance that can be a source of both motivation and stress. For a learner, understanding the weight of **作业** is key to understanding modern Chinese family and student life. |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== |
| The use of **作业** falls into two main categories: | **作业** is used constantly in academic settings and can occasionally be used in a work context. |
| === 1. In Education (Most Common) === | * **In School and University:** This is its most common usage. Students talk about having a lot of homework (作业太多了), doing homework (写作业/做作业), and handing in homework (交作业). It's a neutral term, but often used in complaints due to the heavy workload. |
| This is the primary context for learners. It refers to any assignment given by a teacher. | * **In the Workplace:** Less common, but **作业** can refer to a specific, defined task or operation, especially in technical or operational fields. For example, a factory worker might be assigned a specific "作业" for their shift. In this context, it's more formal than its school-based meaning and closer to "assigned task" or "operation." |
| * **写作业 (xiě zuòyè):** To write/do homework. | ===== Example Sentences ===== |
| * **交作业 (jiāo zuòyè):** To hand in/submit homework. | * **Example 1:** |
| * **做作业 (zuò zuòyè):** To do homework (more general than 写, can include non-writing tasks). | * 今天的**作业**你写完了吗？ |
| * **布置作业 (bùzhì zuòyè):** To assign homework (used by teachers). | * Pinyin: Jīntiān de **zuòyè** nǐ xiě wán le ma? |
| === 2. In a Professional Context === | * English: Have you finished today's homework? |
| This usage is less common in daily conversation but prevalent in specific industries. It means a "task," "job," or "operation." It implies a defined piece of work that needs to be executed, often following specific procedures. | * Analysis: A very common, everyday question among students or from a parent to a child. "写" (xiě - to write) is a very common verb used with 作业. |
| * **高空作业 (gāokōng zuòyè):** High-altitude work/operations (e.g., window washing on a skyscraper). | * **Example 2:** |
| * **田间作业 (tiánjiān zuòyè):** Field operations (in agriculture). | * 老师给我们布置了好多**作业**。 |
| * **现场作业 (xiànchǎng zuòyè):** On-site operations | * Pinyin: Lǎoshī gěi wǒmen bùzhì le hǎo duō **zuòyè**. |
| | * English: The teacher assigned us a lot of homework. |
| | * Analysis: "布置" (bùzhì) is the specific verb for "to assign" homework or tasks. "好多" (hǎo duō) is a colloquial way of saying "a lot." |
| | * **Example 3:** |
| | * 我得快点儿，不然**作业**做不完了。 |
| | * Pinyin: Wǒ děi kuàidiǎnr, bùrán **zuòyè** zuò bu wán le. |
| | * English: I have to hurry, otherwise I won't be able to finish my homework. |
| | * Analysis: This sentence uses the potential complement "做不完" (zuò bu wán), meaning "unable to finish doing." It perfectly captures the pressure students often feel. |
| | * **Example 4:** |
| | * 别忘了明天早上交数学**作业**。 |
| | * Pinyin: Bié wàng le míngtiān zǎoshang jiāo shùxué **zuòyè**. |
| | * English: Don't forget to hand in the math homework tomorrow morning. |
| | * Analysis: "交" (jiāo) is the verb for "to hand in" or "to submit." |
| | * **Example 5:** |
| | * 他的**作业**总是写得很工整。 |
| | * Pinyin: Tā de **zuòyè** zǒngshì xiě de hěn gōngzhěng. |
| | * English: His homework is always written very neatly. |
| | * Analysis: This is a compliment, showing that the quality of homework, not just its completion, is valued. "工整" (gōngzhěng) means neat and tidy. |
| | * **Example 6:** |
| | * 寒假**作业**比我想象的要少。 |
| | * Pinyin: Hánjià **zuòyè** bǐ wǒ xiǎngxiàng de yào shǎo. |
| | * English: The winter vacation homework is less than I imagined. |
| | * Analysis: Chinese students famously get homework over long holidays like winter (寒假 hánjià) and summer (暑假 shǔjià) break. |
| | * **Example 7:** |
| | * 我们可以一起做小组**作业**吗？ |
| | * Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ yīqǐ zuò xiǎozǔ **zuòyè** ma? |
| | * English: Can we do the group project together? |
| | * Analysis: "小组作业" (xiǎozǔ zuòyè) translates directly to "small group assignment," or what we'd call a group project. |
| | * **Example 8:** |
| | * 这次**作业**的成绩占总分的百分之二十。 |
| | * Pinyin: Zhè cì **zuòyè** de chéngjì zhàn zǒng fēn de bǎifēnzhī èrshí. |
| | * English: The grade for this assignment accounts for 20% of the total score. |
| | * Analysis: This shows how 作业 is directly tied to academic performance and grades (成绩 chéngjì). |
| | * **Example 9:** |
| | * 妈妈每天晚上都会检查我的**作业**。 |
| | * Pinyin: Māma měitiān wǎnshang dōu huì jiǎnchá wǒ de **zuòyè**. |
| | * English: My mom checks my homework every evening. |
| | * Analysis: This highlights the high level of parental involvement in a child's schoolwork, a key cultural point. |
| | * **Example 10:** |
| | * 飞行员正在进行起飞前的准备**作业**。 |
| | * Pinyin: Fēixíngyuán zhèngzài jìnxíng qǐfēi qián de zhǔnbèi **zuòyè**. |
| | * English: The pilot is carrying out pre-flight preparation procedures. |
| | * Analysis: This is an excellent example of the more formal, non-academic use of **作业** to mean "operation" or "task." Here, it refers to a professional procedure. |
| | ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== |
| | * **作业 (zuòyè) vs. 功课 (gōngkè):** This is a common point of confusion. |
| | * **作业 (zuòyè):** The most common term in Mainland China for specific, assigned homework. It's the physical or digital work you hand in. |
| | * **功课 (gōngkè):** More common in Taiwan and Hong Kong for homework. In Mainland China, it can sound slightly more formal or old-fashioned. It can also mean "one's studies" in a broader sense (e.g., "你功课怎么样?" - How are your studies?). **Rule of thumb for beginners: Use 作业 in Mainland China.** |
| | * **作业 (zuòyè) vs. 任务 (rènwù):** |
| | * **作业 (zuòyè):** An academic assignment or a specific operational task. |
| | * **任务 (rènwù):** A mission or task. It's a much broader term. A boss assigns you a `任务`, a video game gives you a `任务`. It implies a goal to be achieved. Homework is a type of `任务`, but not all `任务` are `作业`. |
| | * **Incorrect Usage:** Saying "我今天的作业是打扫我的房间" (My homework today is to clean my room) is wrong. Cleaning your room is a chore, not assigned by a teacher. You would say "我今天的任务是打扫房间" (My task today is to clean the room). |
| | ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== |
| | * [[功课]] (gōngkè) - A close synonym for homework, also means "schoolwork" or "studies" more generally. More common in Taiwan/HK. |
| | * [[任务]] (rènwù) - A task or mission; a broader term that encompasses work from a boss, a game, or a personal goal. |
| | * [[考试]] (kǎoshì) - Exam or test. The other major component of a student's academic pressure. |
| | * [[学习]] (xuéxí) - To study or learn. The general activity for which `作业` is assigned. |
| | * [[老师]] (lǎoshī) - Teacher. The person who assigns the `作业`. |
| | * [[学生]] (xuésheng) - Student. The person who does the `作业`. |
| | * [[布置]] (bùzhì) - To assign (tasks, homework). The formal verb a teacher uses. |
| | * [[交]] (jiāo) - To hand in, submit. A key verb used with `作业`. |
| | * [[写]] (xiě) - To write. The most common verb for "doing" homework (e.g., `写作业`). |
| | * [[辅导班]] (fǔdǎo bān) - Tutoring center or "cram school," where students often go after school to get help with their `作业` and prepare for `考试`. |