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Answer to A Dilemma About What to Do with Four Chinese Homophones

May. 22, 2019

Answers:
1. D 2. C 3. B 4. A

Analysis:

In order to find the correct answer, we can use context clues of the words that are available, such as understanding that:

1. The best “(zuò)” that suits “在 (zài)” is “坐 (zuò)”. Because:
“坐 (Zuò)” is a verb that means sit /be seated. Here we can see that it matches the preposition.
★ Hence“坐下 (zuò xià)”, which means “to sit down; take a seat; be seated; squat down “or “坐在 (zuò zài) sit on; sit in”.

2. The best “(zuò)” that suits “位 (wèi)” is “座 (zuò)”. Because:
“座 (Zuò)” is a noun that means: seat; place; base; stand. Here we can see that it makes the best match with “位 (wèi) place; location; position”.
★ Hence “座位 (zuòwèi) seat; place; pew”, which is a fixed noun in Chinese.

3. The best “(zuò)” that suits “完 (wán)” is “做 (zuò)”. Because:
“做 (Zuò)” is a verb that means to make; manufacture; write; compose; do. Here we can see that it fits the sentence correctly when placed before “作业 (zuòyè) homework.
★ Hence “做作业 (zuò zuòyè) do homework” or “做完了作业 (zuò wán le zuòyè)”. “做作业 (zuò zuòyè) do homework” belongs to a Verb-Object Stricture.

4. The best “(zuò)” that suits “业 ()” is “作(zuò)”. Because:
作 (Zuò) can be a verb which means “to do”, or it can be a noun, which means “workshop”. Here we can see that it matches “业 () line of business; trade; occupation; profession” the best.
★ Hence “作业 (zuòyè) homework”.

Above all, the complete sentence is as follows:

Xiǎo Měi / zuò zài / zuòwèi shàng / zuò wán le / zuòyè.
小美/ 在 / 位上 / 完了 / 业。
Xiao Mei sat in her seat and finished her homework.

<<Back to “A Dilemma About What to Do with 4 Chinese Homophones”

Start to Learn More Chinese Homophones Now:
“驴友 (Lǘyŏu)” – What It Means and Why They Are Popular
Know the Warning Signs of Being a 妻管严 (Qīguǎnyán) in China
You’ll Blush with Embarrassment if You Use These Wrong Tones!

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