Chinese verb · action · first needed at beginner level (A1)

做

zuò

to do, to make

“To do” ( (zuò shénme?), (zuò zuòyè)) and “to make, to cook” ( (zuòfàn), (zuò cài)). (Nǐ zuò shénme gōngzuò?) asks what someone's job is.

Speed:

Basic

基本

Now, usually, or with a time word. Negative: (bú zuò).

了

Something that has happened. Negative with (méi), and then 了 drops.

过

Something done at least once before. Negative: + verb + 过.

affirmative	我做过这个菜。Wǒ zuòguo zhège cài.
negative	我没做过这个菜。Wǒ méi zuòguo zhège cài.
question	你做过中国菜吗？Nǐ zuòguo Zhōngguó cài ma?

在

Happening right now. Negative: (méi zài).

要 / 会

Plans with (yào), predictions with (huì). To say you won't, use + verb or .

affirmative	我晚上要做中国菜。Wǒ wǎnshang yào zuò Zhōngguó cài.
negative	我今天不做饭了。Wǒ jīntiān bú zuòfàn le.
question	你周末要做什么？Nǐ zhōumò yào zuò shénme?

能 / 可以 / 会

: a skill you have learned, like cooking. (zuò bu liǎo): it can't be done.

affirmative	我会做中国菜。Wǒ huì zuò Zhōngguó cài.
negative	我不会做饭。Wǒ bú huì zuòfàn.
question	你会做饭吗？Nǐ huì zuòfàn ma?
can't	我一个人做不了。Wǒ yí ge rén zuò bu liǎo.

结果补语

: to finish doing. (zuò bu wán): too much to finish.