Correct
当 vs 做
/ dāng vs zuò /
Strokes
Formula
1
当当 (AA)
2
做做 (AA)
Definition
当 and 做 both are Verb, which means [to become; to be].
当 and 做 both have multiple meanings, here only the meaning of "to become or to be" is analyzed.
Example
当 and 做, both words can take a noun expressing the professional title or status as the object.
1) The object of 当 and 做, both verb is a noun that indicates a person including gods, ghosts, etc.
2) It is noteworthy that such a noun represents a status, along with its duty.
2) It is noteworthy that such a noun represents a status, along with its duty.
1
Tā
他
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
le
了
lǎoshī
老师
。
He became a teacher.
2
Tā
她
èrshí
二十
suì
岁
jiù
就
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
le
了
jīnglǐ
经理
。
She became an manager at 20.
3
Zhè
这
háizi
孩子
cóngxiǎo
从小
jiù
就
xiǎng
想
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
gōngchéngshī
工程师
。
The child dreamed to be an engineer since his early time.
There are a few exceptions, one can say 当兵 but not 做兵.
1) But in phrases 当（做）一名小兵 (to be a soldier), 当（做）了将军 (to be general), 当（做）元帅 (to be a marshal), either can be used.
2) When taking the complement 上, 当 is mostly used.
2) When taking the complement 上, 当 is mostly used.
4
Tā
他
bìyè
毕业
hòu
后
dāng
当
shàng
上
le
了
tuīxiāoyuán
推销员
。
He worked as a salesman after his graduation.
5
Píng
凭
tā
他
de
的
nénglì
能力
,
dāng
当
bù
不
shàng
上
lǐngdǎo
领导
。
He cannot be a leader according to his ability.
With other complements, 当 and 做, either can be used with little difference.
6
Tā
他
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
le
了
liǎng
两
nián
年
jīnglǐ
经理
。
He worked as a manager for two years.
7
Zhège
这个
guān
官
tā
他
yǒudiǎnr
有点儿
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
gòu
够
le
了
.
He is a bit bored of being an official.
When 当 means "to play the part of or to hold the post of", 做 cannot take its place.
8
Zài
在
zhège
这个
jùzhōng
剧中
,
tā
她
dāng
当
xīnniángzǐ
新娘子
。
She stared the bride in the play.
当 and 做, both words can be reduplicated.
当当 (AA)
做做 (AA)
9
Nǐ
你
lái
来
dāngdāng
当当
(
zuòzuò
做做
)
zhège
这个
kēzhǎng
科长
bā
吧
!
If you were the section chief!
When 当 means "to be used as", it is very close to 做 in the same meaning.
10
Zhè
这
piān
篇
xiǎoshuō
小说
kěyǐ
可以
dāng
当
(
zuò
做
)
yǔwén
语文
jiàocái
教材
。
The novel can be used as language teaching material.
当 can take an object which indicates a person, while 做 cannot.
11
Biè
别
bǎ
把
wǒ
我
dāng
当
kèrén
客人
。
Don't treat me as a guest.
12
Wǒ
我
méi
没
bǎ
把
nǐ
你
dāng
当
wàirén
外人
。
I don't take you as a non-family.
做 cannot mean "to be regarded as", while 当 can.
13
Zhè
这
diǎnr
点儿
xiǎodōngxī
小东西
,
jiù
就
dāng
当
jìniànpǐn
纪念品
shōuxià
收下
bā
吧
!
Take the small item as a souvenir, please!