著作

• Pinyin: zhù zuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 著 = 艹(grass) + 者 (one who), to author/set forth prominently; 作 = 亻(person) + 乍 (suddenly begin), to create

Meaning

Work; writings; publication. A book, essay, or body of work produced by an author or scholar.

Implies a substantial written work, usually academic or literary in nature. 代表著作 means a representative or seminal work. Used for books, monographs, and collected essays. More formal than 书 (book) or 作品 (work); 著作 implies scholarly depth and the identity of a known author.

Examples

1. 他一生中出版了二十多部著作，对历史学研究贡献极大。 Over his lifetime, he published more than twenty works, making an enormous contribution to historical research.
2. 这部著作是了解中国古代哲学思想的重要参考资料。 This work is an important reference for understanding ancient Chinese philosophical thought.
3. 老师向学生推荐了几部近年来影响力较大的学术著作。 The teacher recommended several academic works of considerable influence in recent years to the students.

Usage Guide

Context: academic, culture, literature

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这部著作是他三十年研究成果的集中体现。(This work is the concentrated embodiment of his thirty years of research.)
• 她的著作在全球多所顶尖大学被列为必读书目。(Her writings are listed as required reading at many of the world's top universities.)

Don't Say

• 把'著作'用于随意发布的文章或网络帖子 (Don't use 著作 for a casually written article or online post — it implies a substantial, formally published work; use 文章 or 帖子 instead)

Origin & History

From 著 (to write/set down visibly, 艹 + 者) and 作 (to create/make, 亻person + 乍 to start suddenly), together meaning 'a created written work that stands out'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal