著作 (zhù zuò) is a formal noun meaning 'literary work' or 'scholarly book' — typically referring to original, authoritative writings by an author, especially in academia, philosophy, or classical literature. The first character 著 (zhù) means 'to write' or 'famous', implying significance and authorship; the second character 作 (zuò) means 'to create' or 'work', reinforcing the idea of a produced intellectual output. Together, they emphasize a completed, substantial, and often respected piece of writing — not casual notes or drafts, but published works with scholarly or cultural weight.

This term is commonly used in contexts like academic citations, library catalogues, publishing, and discussions about intellectual legacy. It frequently appears in phrases such as 代表著作 (representative work), 个人著作 (one's own works), or 著作权 (copyright — literally 'right to one’s writings'). While it can refer to books, essays, or treatises, it rarely applies to fiction alone unless the work is highly regarded or theoretical in nature.