(zuò wéi) - as, in the capacity of; conduct, achievement in Mandarin
zuòwéiTraditional: 作為
Translation
as, in the capacity of; conduct, achievement
Word origin
A two-character compound meaning as or in the capacity of. 作 (zuò) means to do, make or act, a phono-semantic compound of the 亻(person) radical with 乍 (zhà) as the phonetic. 为 (wéi) means to do, to be or to act as; its early form is traditionally read as a hand leading an elephant to work. Together they mean to act as or serve in a role.
- Origin
- compound
- Root
- 作 (zuò, to act; 亻person + 乍 phonetic) + 为 (wéi, to do / to act as)
Stroke order
作
为
Examples
，。
As a student, I need to study hard.
，。
As a friend, I must tell you the truth.
。
His conduct disappointed everyone.
，。
As parents, they care deeply about their children.
，。
As a gift, this book is very suitable.
作为 (zuò wéi) has two main uses. As a preposition it means as or in the capacity of, introducing a role or identity (作为父亲, as a father; 作为代表, as a representative). As a noun it means conduct, deeds, or achievement (他有很大作为, he has achieved great things; 没有作为, incompetent or ineffective). The preposition use is more common in modern speech and writing.
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 11.