verb / noun HSK 5
Traditional 創作
chuàng zuò
to create · to produce (artistic work) · creative work · creation

Meaning

创作 refers to the process of creating original artistic, literary, or intellectual works. It encompasses writing, composing, painting, and other forms of creative production. The word emphasizes originality and the act of bringing something new into existence, particularly in artistic and cultural contexts.

Usage

创作 is commonly used in formal and literary contexts when discussing artistic endeavors. It's frequently paired with specific art forms like 文学创作 (literary creation), 音乐创作 (musical composition), or 艺术创作 (artistic creation). Native speakers use it for both the process (verb) and the resulting work (noun).

Examples

  1. 01
    这位作家正在创作一部新小说。
    Zhè wèi zuò jiā zhèng zài chuàng zuò xīn xiǎo shuō.
    This writer is currently creating a new novel.
  2. 02
    他的创作灵感来源于生活经验。
    de chuàng zuò líng gǎn lái yuán shēng huó jīng yàn.
    His creative inspiration comes from life experiences.

Characters

Measure words

  • 一部创作
  • jiàn一件创作

Common collocations

  • 文学创作
    wén xué chuàng zuò
    literary creation
  • 艺术创作
    shù chuàng zuò
    artistic creation
  • 创作灵感
    chuàng zuò líng gǎn
    creative inspiration
  • 进行创作
    jìn xíng chuàng zuò
    to engage in creative work

Antonyms

Origin

创 originally meant to cut or wound, but evolved to mean creating something new. Combined with 作 (to make/work), it emphasizes the active production of original works.

Related