verb / noun HSK 4
Traditional 寫作
xiě zuò
to write · writing · composition

Meaning

写作 refers to the act of writing, especially creative or formal writing such as essays, articles, or literary works. It encompasses both the process of writing and the finished written product. The term emphasizes the craft and skill involved in producing written text, beyond simple note-taking or copying.

Usage

写作 is commonly used in academic and professional contexts when discussing writing as a skill or activity. It appears frequently in phrases like '写作能力' (writing ability) or '写作风格' (writing style). Native speakers use it for any substantial writing project, from school essays to novels, but not for casual notes or messages.

Examples

  1. 01
    她的写作能力非常出色。
    de xiě zuò néng fēi cháng chū .
    Her writing ability is outstanding.
  2. 02
    他每天花两个小时进行写作练习。
    měi tiān huā liǎng xiǎo shí jìn xíng xiě zuò liàn .
    He spends two hours every day practicing writing.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 写作能力
    xiě zuò néng
    writing ability
  • 写作风格
    xiě zuò fēng
    writing style
  • 写作技巧
    xiě zuò qiǎo
    writing skills/techniques
  • 从事写作
    cóng shì xiě zuò
    to engage in writing

Antonyms

Origin

写作 combines 写 (to write) with 作 (to create/compose), literally meaning 'to write and compose.' The character 作 adds the sense of creative production, distinguishing this from mere transcription.

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