zok3 jip6作業作业
Jyutpingzok3 jip6
Yalejok yihp
Definition
Homework, school assignments, or tasks.
writtenschool
How it's used
While written Chinese often uses 作業 to refer to homework or tasks, Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 功課 in daily speech. Using 作業 in casual conversation can sound overly formal, academic, or like a direct translation from written text. It is mostly encountered in school settings or on official documents.
Measure word
fan2份fánExamples
Today's homework is really hard to do.
Related words
Common phrases
exercise book
Common mistake
Do not use 作業 as a verb to mean 'to do homework'. In Cantonese, you must use the verb 做 followed by the noun 功課, such as 做功課.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
