Meaning of 作文
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to write an essay
- composition (student essay)
Measure word: 篇
How to use 作文
作文 is most often a noun for a school essay, and it is used with the verb 写 (xiě). It can also act as a verb meaning to write an essay, but this is less common in speech. Example: 我今天要写一篇作文。(Wǒ jīntiān yào xiě yì piān zuòwén.) I have to write an essay today.
作 (zuò) means to make or do, and 文 (wén) means writing or text. To "make writing" is to produce a 作文, a composition.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 作 (zuò) with 做 (zuò), which sounds the same, and write 做文. The correct form is always 作文, just like 作家 (zuòjiā) and 作用 (zuòyòng).
作文 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
作 zuò · to do · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
文 wén · language · 4 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Related words
Words that share a character with 作文.
| 工作 | gōngzuò | to work; (of a machine) to operate |
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move |
| 中文 | Zhōngwén | Chinese language |
| 课文 | kèwén | text |
| 作用 | zuòyòng | to act on; to affect; action; function; activity |
| 作家 | zuòjiā | author |
| 英文 | Yīngwén | English (language) |
| 作业 | zuòyè | school assignment; homework |
| 叫作 | jiàozuò | to call; to be called |
| 合作 | hézuò | to cooperate; to collaborate; to work together |
| 文件 | wénjiàn | document; file |
| 作品 | zuòpǐn | work (of art); opus |
Questions about 作文
What does 作文 mean?
作文 (zuòwén) means "to write an essay; composition (student essay)" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 作文?
作文 is made of 2 characters: 作 (7 strokes), 文 (4 strokes). That is 11 strokes in total.
Is 作文 an HSK word?
Yes. 作文 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What measure word is used with 作文?
Use 篇 (piān), the measure word for articles and essays. For example, 一篇作文 (yì piān zuòwén) means one essay.
Is 作文 used for academic papers or only school essays?
作文 usually means a student composition, especially in primary and middle school. For a university paper or research article, Chinese speakers say 论文 (lùnwén) instead.