How common it is
操作 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say cāozuò slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
操作表示进行具体动作或使用设备。
cāo zuò biǎo shì jìn xíng jù tǐ dòng zuò huò shǐ yòng shè bèi。
操作 means to perform an action or use equipment.
Context note
操作常用于机器、软件和步骤。
cāo zuò cháng yòng yú jī qì 、 ruǎn jiàn hé bù zhòu。
It is often used with machines, software, and steps.
5 examples
这个软件很容易操作。
zhè ge ruǎn jiàn hěn róng yì cāo zuò。
This software is easy to operate.
请按说明操作。
qǐng àn shuō míng cāo zuò。
Please operate according to the instructions.
他在操作机器。
tā zài cāo zuò jī qì。
He is operating the machine.
操作前先检查。
cāo zuò qián xiān jiǎn chá。
Check before operating.
这个步骤不难操作。
zhè ge bù zhòu bù nán cāo zuò。
This step is not hard to carry out.
5 mini stories
老师教大家怎么操作电脑。
lǎo shī jiào dà jiā zěn me cāo zuò diàn nǎo。
The teacher taught everyone how to operate the computer.
工人认真操作机器。
gōng rén rèn zhēn cāo zuò jī qì。
The worker operates the machine carefully.
她按照步骤进行操作。
tā àn zhào bù zhòu jìn xíng cāo zuò。
She operated according to the steps.
这个按钮怎么操作？
zhè ge àn niǔ zěn me cāo zuò？
How do you operate this button?
操作熟练以后，速度会更快。
cāo zuò shú liàn yǐ hòu， sù dù huì gèng kuài。
After becoming skilled at operating, the speed will be faster.