Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhìzuò: 制作 - To Make, Manufacture, Produce ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhìzuò, 制作, how to say 'make' in Chinese, Chinese word for produce, zhìzuò meaning, zhizuò vs zuò, making a movie in Chinese, manufacturing in Chinese, produce a video, create a website in Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn the Chinese verb **制作 (zhìzuò)**, which means "to make," "to manufacture," or "to produce." This versatile word is used when describing the creation of something that requires skill, a process, or a formal procedure, such as producing a film, manufacturing a product, or crafting a website. It's more specific and formal than the general verb "to make" (做, zuò). ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhìzuò * **Part of Speech:** Verb * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** To make, manufacture, or produce something, often with a level of skill or complexity. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **制作 (zhìzuò)** as "to produce" or "to craft" rather than just "to make." While you might `做 (zuò)` a simple sandwich, you would **制作 (zhìzuò)** an elaborate birthday cake. This word implies a process, a set of instructions, or creative/technical skill, resulting in a finished product like a movie, a piece of software, a piece of furniture, or a documentary. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **制 (zhì):** This character is composed of a component representing a knife (刀) and another suggesting control or order. It carries the meaning of "to make," "to control," "to regulate," or a "system." * **作 (zuò):** This character depicts a person (人) getting up to start an action. It's a very common character meaning "to do," "to make," or "to act." * When combined, **制作 (zhìzuò)** creates a word that means "to make" but with an added layer of system, process, and deliberate action. It's the "making" that follows a plan or requires specific expertise. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **制作 (zhìzuò)** taps into the high value placed on craftsmanship and skillful creation in Chinese culture. It distinguishes simple "doing" (`做`) from intentional, skilled "producing." This is reflected in the global evolution of the term `中国制造 (Zhōngguó zhìzào)`, or "Made in China." Initially associated with mass production, it is now increasingly linked to high-tech manufacturing and innovative design—a process well-described by **制作**. * Compared to the English word "make," **制作 (zhìzuò)** is far more specific. In English, you can "make a friend," "make a promise," or "make a mess." None of these would use **制作**. This highlights a key feature of Chinese: the choice of verb is often precisely determined by the object and the context of the action. You cannot **制作** an abstract concept or an accidental outcome; it's reserved for tangible or well-defined digital products that are the result of deliberate effort. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Media and Entertainment:** This is one of the most common contexts for **制作**. It's used for producing films, TV shows, music videos, animations, and video games. * e.g., `制作一部电影` (zhìzuò yí bù diànyǐng) - to produce a movie. * **Digital Content:** In the tech world, it's used for creating websites, developing software, or producing online content. * e.g., `制作一个网站` (zhìzuò yí gè wǎngzhàn) - to make a website. * **Manufacturing and Crafts:** It's used for manufacturing specific products or creating handmade goods that require skill. * e.g., `这家工厂制作高质量的家具` (zhè jiā gōngchǎng zhìzuò gāo zhìliàng de jiājù) - This factory manufactures high-quality furniture. * **Food (Elaborate):** While you `做饭 (zuòfàn)` for a daily meal, a chef might **制作** a special, beautifully presented dish. * e.g., `甜点师正在制作一个婚礼蛋糕` (tiándiǎn shī zhèngzài zhìzuò yí gè hūnlǐ dàngāo) - The pastry chef is making a wedding cake. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 他们计划**制作**一部关于中国历史的纪录片。 * Pinyin: Tāmen jìhuà **zhìzuò** yí bù guānyú Zhōngguó lìshǐ de jìlùpiàn. * English: They plan to produce a documentary about Chinese history. * Analysis: Here, **制作** is used in the context of media production, a very common usage. * **Example 2:** * 这家公司专门**制作**手机应用软件。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī zhuānmén **zhìzuò** shǒujī yìngyòng ruǎnjiàn. * English: This company specializes in making mobile application software. * Analysis: This shows **制作** used for developing a technical product (software). * **Example 3:** * 我花了一个下午的时间**制作**了这张生日贺卡。 * Pinyin: Wǒ huā le yí gè xiàwǔ de shíjiān **zhìzuò** le zhè zhāng shēngrì hèkǎ. * English: I spent a whole afternoon making this birthday card. * Analysis: This example highlights the "crafting" aspect of **制作**. It implies care and effort were put into making the card by hand. * **Example 4:** * 这个机器人是在德国**制作**的。 * Pinyin: Zhè ge jīqìrén shì zài Déguó **zhìzuò** de. * English: This robot was made/manufactured in Germany. * Analysis: **制作** is used here to mean "manufactured," indicating a complex technical product. The `是...的 (shì...de)` structure emphasizes the place of manufacturing. * **Example 5:** * **制作**一个漂亮的网站需要很多时间和精力。 * Pinyin: **Zhìzuò** yí gè piàoliang de wǎngzhàn xūyào hěn duō shíjiān hé jīnglì. * English: Making a beautiful website requires a lot of time and energy. * Analysis: This is a perfect example of using **制作** for creating digital products. * **Example 6:** * 这道菜**制作**精美，看起来像一件艺术品。 * Pinyin: Zhè dào cài **zhìzuò** jīngměi, kàn qǐlái xiàng yí jiàn yìshùpǐn. * English: This dish is exquisitely made; it looks like a piece of art. * Analysis: Here, **制作** is used to describe the skillful preparation of food. The adverb `精美 (jīngměi)` (exquisite, elegant) often pairs with **制作**. * **Example 7:** * 视频的后期**制作**非常重要。 * Pinyin: Shìpín de hòuqī **zhìzuò** fēicháng zhòngyào. * English: The post-production of the video is very important. * Analysis: **制作** can also refer to a specific stage in a larger production process, like "post-production." * **Example 8:** * 所有的家具都是手工**制作**的。 * Pinyin: Suǒyǒu de jiājù dōu shì shǒugōng **zhìzuò** de. * English: All the furniture is handmade. * Analysis: The term `手工 (shǒugōng)` (handmade) works perfectly with **制作**, emphasizing craftsmanship. * **Example 9:** * 你们的**制作**成本是多少？ * Pinyin: Nǐmen de **zhìzuò** chéngběn shì duōshǎo? * English: What is your production cost? * Analysis: **制作** can act as a noun-like attribute in phrases like `制作成本` (production cost) or `制作团队` (production team). * **Example 10:** * 他正在为他的新专辑**制作**音乐。 * Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài wèi tā de xīn zhuānjí **zhìzuò** yīnyuè. * English: He is producing music for his new album. * Analysis: A classic example of **制作** in the context of creating music. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **制作 (zhìzuò) vs. 做 (zuò):** This is the most critical distinction for learners. * **做 (zuò):** A general, all-purpose verb for "to do" or "to make." It's used for everyday activities, simple tasks, and abstract things. * Correct: `做饭 (zuòfàn)` - to cook a meal * Correct: `做作业 (zuò zuòyè)` - to do homework * Correct: `做朋友 (zuò péngyou)` - to make friends * **制作 (zhìzuò):** A specific verb for "to produce" or "to craft" something that has a clear form and requires a process or skill. It is more formal. * Correct: `制作电影 (zhìzuò diànyǐng)` - to produce a film * Correct: `制作蛋糕 (zhìzuò dàngāo)` - to make a (fancy) cake * **Common Mistake:** Using **制作** for simple, daily tasks. * //Incorrect:// 我要去**制作**晚饭。 (Wǒ yào qù **zhìzuò** wǎnfàn.) * This sounds overly dramatic, as if you are a master chef about to produce a culinary masterpiece. * //Correct:// 我要做饭。 (Wǒ yào zuòfàn.) ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[做]] (zuò) - The general, everyday word for "to do" or "to make." **制作** is a more specific and formal version of it. * [[制造]] (zhìzào) - To manufacture, typically on a large, industrial scale (e.g., cars, electronics). It's more about mass production than the craft implied in **制作**. * [[创作]] (chuàngzuò) - To create, especially artistically or intellectually (e.g., a poem, a song, a theory). Emphasizes originality and creativity. * [[生产]] (shēngchǎn) - To produce, focusing on output, often in an agricultural or factory setting. * [[建造]] (jiànzào) - To build or construct, used for large structures like buildings, bridges, and ships. * [[作品]] (zuòpǐn) - A piece of work (artistic, literary, etc.). The finished product that results from **制作** or **创作**. * [[制片人]] (zhìpiànrén) - A film or TV producer (literally "make-film-person"). * [[手艺]] (shǒuyì) - Craftsmanship, manual skill. A quality often required for something to be **制作**-ed by hand.