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Different ways to say "do" in Chinese


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Posted

Hi there.

I was wondering if someone could clarify the differences between all the different ways of saying the verb "do" in Chinese.

For example the difference between 做 干 为 行 as according to Pleco they all mean "do".

Thanks :)

Posted

I'll take 

 

In the film Babe, the farmer says to Babe, "that'll do pig", as in asking if something will do/as in will it suffice. So for "do" as in suffice you can use 行, as in xing bu xing?

  • Like 2
Posted

As to 为 (pronounced wei2 in the sense of "to do"), in Mod. Mandarin it can't stand alone to mean "to do" but is found in compounds such as 无为(inaction), 为所欲为(to do whatever one pleases)or 所作所为(one's conduct & deeds)。

Posted

I'm not very clear on the precise meaning you're trying to express by “do."

 

If you could contextualize it for us we'd have an easier time helping.

 

Do you mean "can you do this for me?"

 

If that's the general meaning you express, the word 弄 might be close to what you're going for.

 

你可以帮我弄这个吗?

 

我弄不了!

 

 

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