Understanding "作业" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 作业
• Pinyin: zuò yè
• Literal Meaning: "作" (zuò) means "to do" or "to make," and "业" (yè) means "work" or "task." Together, they literally mean "assigned work."
• Primary Meaning: Homework or assignments given by teachers to students.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "作业" refers to schoolwork or tasks assigned to students to complete outside of class. It is commonly used in educational settings.
• In a broader sense, it can also refer to work tasks or assignments in professional contexts, though this usage is less common.

• Nuance: The word carries a neutral tone but can sometimes imply stress or pressure, especially when students complain about having too much "作业."

• Character Breakdown:

• 作 (zuò): "to do," "to make," or "to act."
• 业 (yè): "work," "business," or "task."

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 我今天有很多作业要做。
   Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān yǒu hěn duō zuòyè yào zuò.
   English: I have a lot of homework to do today.

2. Chinese: 老师布置的作业太难了。
   Pinyin: Lǎoshī bùzhì de zuòyè tài nán le.
   English: The homework assigned by the teacher is too difficult.

3. Chinese: 你做完作业了吗？
   Pinyin: Nǐ zuò wán zuòyè le ma?
   English: Have you finished your homework?

Cultural Notes

• In Chinese education, "作业" is a significant part of student life, often seen as a way to reinforce learning.
• Parents and teachers place high importance on completing homework, and it is common for students to spend hours on it daily.
• The pressure to excel academically sometimes leads to discussions about reducing homework loads to improve students' well-being.

Conclusion

"作业" (zuò yè) is a fundamental word in Chinese education, meaning "homework" or "assignments." Remember it as "assigned work" (作 = do, 业 = work). Use it when talking about school tasks, and be aware of its cultural significance in academic life.

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