zhùzuò: 著作 - Work, Writings, Book, Opus

• Keywords: 著作, zhùzuò, meaning of 著作, Chinese for work, Chinese for book, literary work in Chinese, opus, writings, author, 作品 (zuòpǐn) vs 著作, copyright in Chinese, 著作权.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 著作 (zhùzuò), a formal Chinese term for a significant literary, academic, or artistic work, such as a book, treatise, or opus. This guide explains its cultural significance, how it differs from the more general word 作品 (zuòpǐn), and how to use it correctly in context. Discover why 著作 implies a level of importance and scholarship beyond a simple article or piece of writing, and see its use in practical examples related to authors, publishing, and copyright (著作权).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhùzuò
• Part of Speech: Noun (can occasionally be used as a very formal verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A significant and substantial published work, typically a book or a major academic/literary writing.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 著作 (zhùzuò) not just as any “work,” but as an “opus” or a major publication. It's a formal term reserved for substantial creations that required significant effort, research, and expertise. You would use it to talk about a famous author's novel, a professor's key book, or a historical classic, but not for a blog post, a short story, or a student's essay. It carries a strong sense of intellectual weight and accomplishment.

• 著 (zhù): In this context, this character means “to write” or “to compose.” It can also mean “notable” or “significant,” which adds to the word's gravitas. It points to the act of creating a written text.
• 作 (zuò): This character means “to make,” “to compose,” or “work.” It refers to the product of creative labor.
• When combined, 著作 (zhùzuò) literally means “written work” or “composed work.” The pairing of these two characters emphasizes the formal act of creating a substantial piece of writing, distinguishing it from casual or minor texts.

In Chinese culture, with its long and deep reverence for scholarship and literature (文), the term 著作 (zhùzuò) holds special weight. For centuries, producing a scholarly or literary work was a primary path to earning respect, influence, and even positions in the imperial bureaucracy. This legacy continues today, and 著作 reflects a deep respect for intellectual labor and achievement. A useful comparison in Western culture is the distinction between “writings” and an “opus.” Any author has “writings,” which could include articles, letters, and notes. However, an “opus” (or “magnum opus”) refers to their most significant, defining work. 著作 (zhùzuò) functions much more like “opus.” To call something a 著作 is to elevate it, acknowledging it as a major contribution to its field. Using it for something minor would be seen as an overstatement, revealing a misunderstanding of this cultural value.

著作 is a formal term primarily used in specific, respectful contexts.

• Academia and Publishing: It's standard vocabulary when discussing professors' publications, authors' books, bibliographies, and the publishing industry. You'll often see it on a scholar's CV or in book reviews.
• Literary and Artistic Circles: When discussing the major books of a famous 作家 (zuòjiā, author), 著作 is the appropriate and respectful term.
• Legal Contexts: The term for “copyright” in mainland China is 著作权 (zhùzuòquán), literally “the right over a work.” This shows how central the concept is to the legal definition of intellectual property.
• Connotation and Formality: The term is always formal and positive. It confers respect upon both the work and its creator. You would not use it in casual, everyday conversation about what you wrote over the weekend unless you were joking.

• Example 1:
• 这是鲁迅先生最著名的著作之一。
• Pinyin: Zhè shì Lǔ Xùn xiānsheng zuì zhùmíng de zhùzuò zhī yī.
• English: This is one of Mr. Lu Xun's most famous works.
• Analysis: This sentence uses 著作 to refer to a major literary work by a canonical author, which is a perfect use of the term.
• Example 2:
• 这位教授一生中有很多重要的学术著作。
• Pinyin: Zhè wèi jiàoshòu yīshēng zhōng yǒu hěnduō zhòngyào de xuéshù zhùzuò.
• English: This professor has many important academic works from his lifetime.
• Analysis: Here, 著作 refers to significant scholarly books or treatises, highlighting its use in an academic context.
• Example 3:
• 他的最新著作即将出版。
• Pinyin: Tā de zuìxīn zhùzuò jíjiāng chūbǎn.
• English: His latest book (major work) is about to be published.
• Analysis: This is a common phrase in the publishing world. It implies the work is a full-fledged book, not a minor article.
• Example 4:
• 在中国，所有出版物都受到著作权法的保护。
• Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó, suǒyǒu chūbǎnwù dōu shòudào zhùzuòquán fǎ de bǎohù.
• English: In China, all publications are protected by copyright law.
• Analysis: This shows the legal application of the term in 著作权 (zhùzuòquán), or copyright.
• Example 5:
• 这本著作对后世产生了深远的影响。
• Pinyin: Zhè běn zhùzuò duì hòushì chǎnshēngle shēnyuǎn de yǐngxiǎng.
• English: This work has had a profound influence on later generations.
• Analysis: The term 著作 is fitting here because works that have a “profound influence” are by definition significant.
• Example 6:
• 我正在阅读一部关于中国历史的经典著作。
• Pinyin: Wǒ zhèngzài yuèdú yī bù guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ de jīngdiǎn zhùzuò.
• English: I am reading a classic work on Chinese history.
• Analysis: The measure word for books, 部 (bù), is often used with 著作. It reinforces the idea of a substantial, complete volume.
• Example 7:
• 完成一部著作需要付出巨大的心血。
• Pinyin: Wánchéng yī bù zhùzuò xūyào fùchū jùdà de xīnxuè.
• English: Completing a major work requires immense effort and dedication.
• Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the labor and significance associated with creating a 著作.
• Example 8:
• 这部著作的作者是谁？
• Pinyin: Zhè bù zhùzuò de zuòzhě shì shéi?
• English: Who is the author of this work?
• Analysis: A straightforward and formal way to inquire about the authorship of a significant book.
• Example 9:
• 翻译这部外国文学著作是一项艰巨的任务。
• Pinyin: Fānyì zhè bù wàiguó wénxué zhùzuò shì yī xiàng jiānjù de rènwù.
• English: Translating this foreign literary work is a formidable task.
• Analysis: This demonstrates that 著作 can be used for significant works from any culture, not just Chinese ones.
• Example 10:
• 他把他所有的著作都捐给了大学图书馆。
• Pinyin: Tā bǎ tā suǒyǒu de zhùzuò dōu juān gěi le dàxué túshūguǎn.
• English: He donated all of his works (books/major writings) to the university library.
• Analysis: This shows the plural usage, referring to the entire collection of an author's or scholar's major publications.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 著作 (zhùzuò) with similar but broader terms.

• 著作 (zhùzuò) vs. 作品 (zuòpǐn): This is the key distinction.
  • 著作 (zhùzuò): Almost exclusively refers to a significant written work like a book or treatise.
  • 作品 (zuòpǐn): A much broader term for any “work of art or literature.” This can be a painting, a song, a film, a sculpture, a poem, an article, or a book.
  • Rule of thumb: All 著作 are 作品, but most 作品 are not 著作. You can call a movie a 作品, but never a 著作.
• 著作 (zhùzuò) vs. 文章 (wénzhāng):
  • 文章 (wénzhāng): Refers to an “article,” “essay,” or “composition.” It's a smaller unit of writing.
  • Mistake: Calling your homework essay or a news article a 著作 is incorrect. It would be like calling a memo a “literary tome.”
• Example of Incorrect Usage:
  • Incorrect: 我昨天晚上写了一篇著作关于我的宠物猫。(Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshàng xiěle yī piān zhùzuò guānyú wǒ de chǒngwù māo.)
  • Why it's wrong: A short piece about your pet cat is an 文章 (wénzhāng), not a 著作 (zhùzuò). Using 著作 here sounds grandiose and comical.
  • Correct: 我昨天晚上写了一篇文章关于我的宠物猫。(Wǒ zuótiān wǎnshàng xiěle yī piān wénzhāng guānyú wǒ de chǒngwù māo.)

• 作品 (zuòpǐn) - A broad term for any “work” of art, music, or literature. 著作 is a specific type of 作品.
• 作家 (zuòjiā) - Author, writer (specifically, a professional or literary author who produces 著作).
• 作者 (zuòzhě) - Author, creator. A more general term than 作家; can be the creator of any 作品.
• 文章 (wénzhāng) - Article, essay. A smaller piece of writing that is not a 著作.
• 著作权 (zhùzuòquán) - Copyright. The legal right associated with a 著作. Synonymous with 版权 (bǎnquán).
• 出版 (chūbǎn) - To publish. The process of making a 著作 available to the public.
• 经典 (jīngdiǎn) - A classic. Many famous 著作 are considered to be classics.
• 文学 (wénxué) - Literature. The field to which many literary 著作 belong.
• 学者 (xuézhě) - A scholar. A person who often produces academic 著作.
• 专著 (zhuānzhù) - A monograph; a specialized scholarly book on a single subject. It is a specific type of 著作.