Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)
工作
gōngzuò
to work
Also a noun: (wǒ de gōngzuò, my job), (zhǎo gōngzuò, look for a job). The workplace comes first, with : (wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò, I work at a bank).
Speed:
Basic
基本
Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bù gōngzuò).
| affirmative | 我在银行工作。Wǒ zài yínháng gōngzuò. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我周末不工作。Wǒ zhōumò bù gōngzuò. | |
| question | 你在哪儿工作？Nǐ zài nǎr gōngzuò? |
Completed
了
Something that has happened. Negative with (méi), and then 了 drops.
| affirmative | 我今天工作了十个小时。Wǒ jīntiān gōngzuòle shí ge xiǎoshí. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我昨天没工作。Wǒ zuótiān méi gōngzuò. | |
| question | 你昨天工作了吗？Nǐ zuótiān gōngzuò le ma? |
Experience
过
Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.
| affirmative | 我在上海工作过。Wǒ zài Shànghǎi gōngzuòguo. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我没在国外工作过。Wǒ méi zài guówài gōngzuòguo. | |
| question | 你在国外工作过吗？Nǐ zài guówài gōngzuòguo ma? |
In progress
在
Happening right now. Negative: (méi zài).
| affirmative | 他在工作。Tā zài gōngzuò. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 他现在没在工作。Tā xiànzài méi zài gōngzuò. | |
| question | 他在工作吗？Tā zài gōngzuò ma? |
Future and intention
要 / 会
Plans with (yào), predictions with (huì). To say you won't, use + verb or .
| affirmative | 我明年要去上海工作。Wǒ míngnián yào qù Shànghǎi gōngzuò. | |
|---|---|---|
| negative | 我明天不工作。Wǒ míngtiān bù gōngzuò. | |
| question | 你明天要工作吗？Nǐ míngtiān yào gōngzuò ma? |
Examples
- 你做什么工作？Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?What do you do for a living?
- 我在一家公司工作。Wǒ zài yì jiā gōngsī gōngzuò.I work for a company.
- 他工作很忙。Tā gōngzuò hěn máng.He's very busy at work.