Meaning
撰写 is a formal, literary verb meaning to write or compose, typically used for serious or official documents, articles, reports, and scholarly works. It carries a more elevated register than the everyday verb 写 (xiě) and emphasizes careful, deliberate composition rather than casual writing.
Usage
This word appears primarily in formal contexts such as academic writing, official reports, news articles, and professional correspondence. Native speakers use it when referring to the creation of substantial written works like theses, proposals, or formal documents. It would sound overly formal if used for everyday writing like text messages or shopping lists.
Examples
- 01他正在撰写一篇关于环境保护的学术论文。.He is currently writing an academic paper on environmental protection.
- 02公司要求所有经理撰写年度工作总结。.The company requires all managers to write annual work summaries.
Characters
Common collocations
- 撰写报告to write a report
- 撰写论文to write a thesis/paper
- 撰写文章to write an article
- 撰写材料to draft materials/documents
Origin
撰 originally meant to compose or compile, often used for official or scholarly writing in classical Chinese. Combined with 写, it reinforces the meaning of formal composition.