gōngzuò: 工作 - Work, Job, To Work

• Keywords: 工作, gōngzuò, Chinese for work, Chinese for job, what does gongzuo mean, find a job in Chinese, how to say work in Chinese, Chinese vocabulary, HSK 1
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 工作 (gōngzuò), one of the most fundamental words in the Chinese language. This page explains how to say “work” or “job” in Chinese, breaking down its use as both a noun and a verb. Learn how gōngzuò is used in everyday conversation, its cultural significance in China, and how to use it correctly with over ten practical example sentences. This is your complete guide to understanding the essential term 工作 (gōngzuò).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gōngzuò
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: “Work” or “a job” (as a noun); “to work” (as a verb).
• In a Nutshell: 工作 (gōngzuò) is the default, all-purpose word for employment and the act of doing it. If you want to ask someone what they do for a living, talk about your job, or say you are currently working, 工作 (gōngzuò) is almost always the right word to use. It's a neutral, foundational term that you'll hear and use constantly.

• 工 (gōng): This character originally depicted a carpenter's square, a tool for skilled labor. By itself, it means work, labor, or craft. Think of words like 工人 (gōngrén, worker) or 工具 (gōngjù, tool).
• 作 (zuò): This character is composed of the “person” radical (亻) on the left and a component that suggests rising or making. It relates to a person taking action, creating, or doing something.
• Together, 工 (gōng) and 作 (zuò) combine the idea of “skilled labor” with “a person's action,” creating the comprehensive concept of a job, occupation, or the act of working.

In Chinese culture, 工作 (gōngzuò) is more than just a way to earn money; it's a cornerstone of personal identity, family responsibility, and social stability. The traditional Confucian value of 勤奋 (qínfèn), or diligence, elevates hard work to a moral virtue. A stable 工作 is seen as a primary duty to one's parents and family. This contrasts with the modern Western emphasis on finding a “passion” or a “dream job.” While this is becoming more common among younger generations in China, the traditional view prioritizes stability and security. The concept of the 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn), or “iron rice bowl,” refers to a guaranteed, lifelong job (often with the government) and is considered the ideal for its security. Therefore, when someone in China asks about your 工作, they are not just making small talk; they are often trying to understand your social standing, stability, and your role in society.

工作 (gōngzuò) is extremely versatile and used in virtually all contexts related to employment.

• As a Noun (“a job” / “work”): It's used to talk about your occupation or the tasks you have to do.
  • e.g., 我的工作很有意思。 (Wǒ de gōngzuò hěn yǒu yìsi.) - My job is very interesting.
  • e.g., 我在找工作。 (Wǒ zài zhǎo gōngzuò.) - I am looking for a job.
• As a Verb (“to work”): It's used to describe the action of working.
  • e.g., 你在哪儿工作？ (Nǐ zài nǎr gōngzuò?) - Where do you work?
  • e.g., 他每天工作八个小时。 (Tā měitiān gōngzuò bā ge xiǎoshí.) - He works for eight hours every day.

Its connotation is generally neutral and depends entirely on the adjectives used with it. It's appropriate in both highly formal settings (like a job interview) and casual chats with friends.

• Example 1:
  • 你做什么工作？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?
  • English: What job do you do? / What is your job?
  • Analysis: This is the most common and direct way to ask someone about their occupation. Here, 工作 is a noun.
• Example 2:
  • 我在一家银行工作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài yī jiā yínháng gōngzuò.
  • English: I work at a bank.
  • Analysis: Here, 工作 is used as a verb. The structure “在 + [Place] + 工作” is very common for stating where you work.
• Example 3:
  • 我今天的工作特别多，可能要加班。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ jīntiān de gōngzuò tèbié duō, kěnéng yào jiābān.
  • English: I have a lot of work today, I might have to work overtime.
  • Analysis: In this sentence, 工作 is a noun referring to the volume of tasks or workload.
• Example 4:
  • 他工作很努力。
  • Pinyin: Tā gōngzuò hěn nǔlì.
  • English: He works very hard.
  • Analysis: This shows 工作 functioning as a verb in a descriptive phrase. You can also say 他工作得(de)很努力, which is grammatically more formal.
• Example 5:
  • 毕业以后，他找到了一个好工作。
  • Pinyin: Bìyè yǐhòu, tā zhǎodào le yí ge hǎo gōngzuò.
  • English: After graduating, he found a good job.
  • Analysis: 工作 is a noun here, modified by “好” (hǎo - good). Note the use of the measure word 个 (ge).
• Example 6:
  • 工作顺利吗？
  • Pinyin: Gōngzuò shùnlì ma?
  • English: Is work going smoothly?
  • Analysis: A very common and friendly greeting between colleagues or friends, similar to “How's work going?”.
• Example 7:
  • 请不要在我工作的时候打扰我。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào zài wǒ gōngzuò de shíhou dǎrǎo wǒ.
  • English: Please don't disturb me when I am working.
  • Analysis: “…的时候” (…de shíhou) means “when…”. Here, “工作的时候” means “when working”, with 工作 acting as a verb.
• Example 8:
  • 这个工作的工资很高。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge gōngzuò de gōngzī hěn gāo.
  • English: This job's salary is very high.
  • Analysis: A clear example of 工作 as a noun, acting as the subject (“job”) that possesses something (“salary”).
• Example 9:
  • 我的工作环境很不错。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de gōngzuò huánjìng hěn búcuò.
  • English: My work environment is quite good.
  • Analysis: 工作 is used here as an adjective to modify “环境” (huánjìng - environment), forming the compound noun “work environment”.
• Example 10:
  • 她为了工作搬到了上海。
  • Pinyin: Tā wèile gōngzuò bāndào le Shànghǎi.
  • English: She moved to Shanghai for work.
  • Analysis: “为了” (wèile) means “for the sake of…”. Here, 工作 is the noun representing the reason for her move.

• 工作 (gōngzuò) vs. 上班 (shàngbān): This is a critical distinction for beginners.
  • 工作 (gōngzuò): The general concept of “work” or “a job.”
  • 上班 (shàngbān): The specific action of “going to work” or “being at the office.”
  • Think of it this way: You go to 上班 (shàngbān) to do your 工作 (gōngzuò).
  • Incorrect: 我有很多上班。 (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō shàngbān.)
  • Correct: 我有很多工作。 (Wǒ yǒu hěn duō gōngzuò.) - I have a lot of work (tasks).
• 工作 (gōngzuò) vs. 职业 (zhíyè):
  • 工作 (gōngzuò): Your specific, current job. It's the everyday, common word.
  • 职业 (zhíyè): Your “profession” or “occupation.” It's more formal and abstract, used on forms or when discussing a career field. For example, “Teacher” is a 职业, but “my job at this school” is my 工作.
• Forgetting it can be a verb: English speakers sometimes try to add another verb, like “做” (zuò - to do), when it's not needed.
  • Incorrect: 我做工作在医院。 (Wǒ zuò gōngzuò zài yīyuàn.)
  • Correct: 我在医院工作。 (Wǒ zài yīyuàn gōngzuò.) - I work in a hospital.

• 上班 (shàngbān) - To go to work; to be on the clock. The direct action of starting your workday.
• 下班 (xiàbān) - To get off work. The antonym of 上班.
• 加班 (jiābān) - To work overtime. Literally “to add a shift.”
• 职业 (zhíyè) - A profession or occupation. A more formal term used to classify a field of work.
• 事业 (shìyè) - A career, cause, or undertaking. Implies long-term ambition and personal investment, much more than just a job.
• 老板 (lǎobǎn) - Boss, owner. The person you work for.
• 同事 (tóngshì) - Colleague, co-worker. People who share the same work.
• 公司 (gōngsī) - Company, corporation. The place where many people have their 工作.
• 找工作 (zhǎo gōngzuò) - To look for a job. A set phrase combining “to look for” and “job.”
• 铁饭碗 (tiě fànwǎn) - “Iron rice bowl.” A cultural concept referring to a highly stable and secure job.