作弊

• Pinyin: zuò bì
• Hanzi breakdown: 作 = 亻+ 乍 (person + sudden — to do/make); 弊 = 敝 + 廾 (worn/corrupt + hands — malpractice/fraud)

Meaning

To cheat; to engage in fraudulent behaviour to gain an unfair advantage, especially in examinations or competitions.

Used primarily in academic and competitive contexts, but extends to any situation involving deception for personal gain. Carries a strong moral stigma. In China, academic fraud is taken seriously, with strict legal consequences for large-scale exam cheating.

Examples

1. 监考人员在巡视时发现一名考生使用隐藏设备作弊，当即取消了其考试资格并上报了相关部门。 While patrolling the exam room, the proctor discovered that a candidate was using a hidden device to cheat, immediately disqualified the candidate, and reported the matter to the relevant department.
2. 学校明确规定，一旦发现学生在任何形式的考核中作弊，将予以留校察看甚至开除学籍的严厉处分。 The school clearly states that if a student is found cheating in any form of assessment, they will face severe disciplinary action, ranging from academic probation to expulsion.
3. 随着人脸识别技术在考场中的广泛应用，传统的替考作弊手段已越来越难以得逞。 With facial recognition technology now widely used in exam rooms, traditional forms of cheating such as having someone else take the test have become increasingly difficult to pull off.

Usage Guide

Context: education, law, competitions, social norms

Tone: disapproving

Do Say

• 国家对高考作弊行为实施了严格的法律管控，情节严重者将依法追究刑事责任，绝非小事。(The state has implemented strict legal controls on cheating in the college entrance examination; in serious cases, criminal liability will be pursued according to law — this is no trivial matter.)
• 即便面临巨大的竞争压力，也不应选择作弊这条捷径，因为诚信才是长远发展的根本基础。(Even under enormous competitive pressure, one should not choose the shortcut of cheating, because integrity is the fundamental basis for long-term development.)

Don't Say

• 他在游戏里作弊所以赢了 — while 作弊 can apply to games informally, in formal writing use 使用外挂 or 违规操作 for gaming cheats to be more precise

Origin & History

作 (to do/engage in) + 弊 (malpractice/fraud/abuse)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal