做作业

You use it just like a regular verb-object phrase. You can put a duration in the middle. For example, 做了三个小时作业 means you did homework for three hours. You can also add 'my' or 'his' before 作业. It is very flexible and easy to slot into sentences.

Use it whenever you are talking about academic responsibilities. It is perfect for telling a friend why you can't go out. It is also what parents will constantly ask their children. You will hear it in schools, libraries, and coffee shops every single day.

Do not use this for office work or professional tasks. For a job, use 办公 or 做工作. If you are doing chores, use 做家务. Using 做作业 for a business report makes you sound like a middle schooler! Also, avoid it for creative hobbies unless they are specifically for a class.

In China, 做作业 is a serious business. Students often spend many hours every night on it. There is a strong cultural emphasis on academic diligence. Sometimes, people use it metaphorically to mean 'doing your prep' before a meeting. It represents the value of hard work and preparation in Chinese society.

You might hear 写作业 which means 'to write homework.' This is arguably even more common in spoken Chinese. Kids might complain about 作业太多 meaning 'too much homework.' If you finish, you say 做完作业. It is a simple phrase that opens a window into the busy life of a student.