Meaning of 作用
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to act on; to affect
- action; function; activity
- impact; result; effect
- purpose; intent
- (suffix) -ation, -tion etc, as in 抑制作用[yi4 zhi4 zuo4 yong4], inhibition
How to use 作用
作用 is most often a noun meaning effect, role, or function, and it usually pairs with verbs like 起 (qǐ) or 有 (yǒu). It also works as a suffix in technical terms, like 光合作用 (guānghé zuòyòng, photosynthesis). Example: 这个药没有作用。(Zhège yào méiyǒu zuòyòng.) This medicine has no effect.
作 (zuò) means to do or make, and 用 (yòng) means to use. What something does when it is put to use is its effect or function, its 作用.
Common mistake: Learners often write 做用 because 做 and 作 are both pronounced zuò, but the word is always 作用. Another trap is using 作用 as a plain verb like "affect" in English. Chinese usually says 起作用 (qǐ zuòyòng) or 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) instead.
作用 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
用 yòng · to use · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 作用.
| 工作 | gōngzuò | to work; (of a machine) to operate |
| 不用 | bùyòng | need not |
| 动作 | dòngzuò | movement; motion; action; to act; to move |
| 有用 | yǒuyòng | useful |
| 使用 | shǐyòng | to use; to employ |
| 作家 | zuòjiā | author |
| 信用卡 | xìnyòngkǎ | credit card |
| 作业 | zuòyè | school assignment; homework |
| 叫作 | jiàozuò | to call; to be called |
| 常用 | cháng yòng | in common usage |
| 作文 | zuòwén | to write an essay; composition (student essay) |
| 利用 | lìyòng | to exploit; to make use of |
Questions about 作用
What does 作用 mean?
作用 (zuòyòng) means "to act on; to affect; action; function; activity" and is used as a noun.
How do you write 作用?
作用 is made of 2 characters: 作 (7 strokes), 用 (5 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 作用 an HSK word?
Yes. 作用 is on the HSK 2 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What does 起作用 mean?
起作用 (qǐ zuòyòng) means to take effect or to work. For example, 药开始起作用了 means the medicine is starting to work.
What is the difference between 作用 and 影响?
作用 focuses on the role or function something has, often a useful one. 影响 (yǐngxiǎng) means influence or impact and is commonly used as a verb, as in 天气影响心情, the weather affects your mood.