Question 1

What does 作业 mean in Chinese?

Accepted Answer

作业 (zuòyè) means 'homework' or 'assignment' — the schoolwork a teacher gives students to complete, usually outside of class. It is the standard word used by parents, teachers, and students from kindergarten through university. Two notes for English speakers: first, the verb that pairs with 作业 is 做 (zuò) 'to do' — 做作业 'do homework' — not 写 ('write') unless you specifically mean writing it out; '写作业' is also common and natural in spoken Chinese for written assignments.

Second, in technical or industrial contexts 作业 keeps a broader sense of 'operation' or 'task' (高空作业 high-altitude work, 野外作业 fieldwork), but learners will meet it almost exclusively in the school sense. For 'workbook' use 练习本 (liànxí běn), and for 'exercise / drill' use 练习 (liànxí).

Question 2

How do you pronounce 作业?

Accepted Answer

作业 is pronounced zuòyè — 作 (zuò), 业 (yè).

Question 3

Is 作业 a noun, verb, or something else?

Accepted Answer

作业 is a noun, register: neutral. Standard word for school assignments at every level — from kindergarten to university. In professional/military contexts it can also mean 'operation / task' (野外作业 fieldwork), but the school meaning dominates everyday use.

Question 4

What is the measure word for 作业?

Accepted Answer

Use 份 (fèn). Example: 一份作业 — a set/copy of homework — 一份作业. Other measure words: 个 (gè), 项 (xiàng).

Question 5

What's the difference between 作业 and 工作?

Accepted Answer

工作 means 'work / job' for adults. 作业 is school homework. Saying '我有很多工作' means 'I have a lot of work' (job duties), not homework.

Question 6

What's the difference between 作业 and 做?

Accepted Answer

作 (in 作业) and 做 (in 做作业) are easy to mix up. Both are pronounced zuò and overlap; modern usage: 做作业 (verb 做 + noun 作业) is the most common spoken phrasing. The 作 in 作业 is the noun-forming half.

作业

What does 作业 mean?

Character breakdown

Measure word for 作业

Example sentences

Common phrases with 作业

Synonyms

Don't confuse 作业 with

FAQ