作品
zuòpǐn · HSK 3
work
📚🎵 作品 = make/do (作) + article/item (品) — a created work
作 means to make or compose; 品 means an item, article, or product (three 口 mouths stacked suggest goods on display). Together: a made item — a creative work, whether writing, music, or art.
作 — person radical 亻 + 乍
作 combines the person radical 亻 with 乍, which originally depicted a sudden action or making something. The character means 'to do, make, or create,' with 亻 indicating human activity and 乍 supplying the sound. Over time it broadened to cover works, deeds, and acting as something.
品 — three 口 (mouth) stacked
品 is an ideogram showing three 口 (mouths or openings) piled together. The repetition of 口 suggests many people, items, or voices, which gave rise to meanings like 'kinds,' 'goods,' 'rank,' and 'to taste/judge.' The triple stacking is a common Chinese device for indicating plurality or variety.