zuòyè: 作业 - Homework, Assignment, Task

• Keywords: 作业, zuoye, Chinese for homework, school assignment in Chinese, do homework in Chinese, 作业 vs 功课, 作业 vs 工作, Chinese school culture, HSK 2 vocabulary, Chinese task, Chinese operation
• Summary: Discover the full meaning of 作业 (zuòyè), a fundamental Chinese word every learner must know. While it most commonly translates to “homework” or “school assignment,” its meaning extends to “task” or “operation” in professional contexts. This guide explores its cultural significance in the demanding Chinese education system, provides practical examples for school and work, and clarifies common mistakes, such as confusing it with 工作 (gōngzuò) (job) or 功课 (gōngkè) (schoolwork/studies).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zuòyè
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 2
• Concise Definition: A piece of work or a task assigned in school (homework) or in a professional field (operation/task).
• In a Nutshell: Think of 作业 (zuòyè) as any specific, assigned task within a formal system like education or a job. For students, it's the daily homework that forms the backbone of their studies. For workers, especially in technical fields, it's a defined operation or task they need to complete. It's the concrete “work” you must “do.”

• 作 (zuò): This character means “to do,” “to make,” or “to compose.” It's an action word, implying creation or an activity being performed. Think of it as the 'doing' part.
• 业 (yè): This character relates to a “line of study,” “profession,” “industry,” or “trade.” You see it in words like 毕业 (bìyè) - to graduate, and 职业 (zhíyè) - occupation. It represents a field or area of expertise.

When combined, 作业 (zuòyè) literally means “to do the work of one's field.” For a student, their “field” (业) is their studies, so the work (作) they do is their homework. For a field worker, their “field” (业) is their job, so the work (作) they do is their assigned task or operation.

In China, 作业 (zuòyè) is more than just homework; it's a cornerstone of the education system and a reflection of deeply ingrained cultural values. Education is seen as the primary path to success and social mobility, a belief with roots in the ancient imperial examination system. Consequently, 作业 is taken extremely seriously by teachers, parents, and students alike. The volume of homework is often significantly higher than in many Western countries, starting from a very young age. It's viewed not as a mere review but as a critical tool for mastering material, developing discipline, and preparing for the high-stakes exams (高考, gāokǎo) that determine a student's future. This cultural weight means that 作业 is often a source of immense pressure and a central topic of family life. Parents spend hours supervising their children's homework, and the phrase “你作业写完了吗?” (Nǐ zuòyè xiě wán le ma? - Have you finished your homework?) is a daily refrain in millions of Chinese households. This contrasts with a more relaxed Western view where homework is often seen as supplementary practice rather than the core of the learning experience.

The use of 作业 falls into two main categories:

This is the primary context for learners. It refers to any assignment given by a teacher.

• 写作业 (xiě zuòyè): To write/do homework.
• 交作业 (jiāo zuòyè): To hand in/submit homework.
• 做作业 (zuò zuòyè): To do homework (more general than 写, can include non-writing tasks).
• 布置作业 (bùzhì zuòyè): To assign homework (used by teachers).

This usage is less common in daily conversation but prevalent in specific industries. It means a “task,” “job,” or “operation.” It implies a defined piece of work that needs to be executed, often following specific procedures.

• 高空作业 (gāokōng zuòyè): High-altitude work/operations (e.g., window washing on a skyscraper).
• 田间作业 (tiánjiān zuòyè): Field operations (in agriculture).
• 现场作业 (xiànchǎng zuòyè): On-site operations