Definition
作主 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to have the final say' or 'to make the decision'. It usually appears with 由 indicating who is in charge, as in 由你作主. When you need to insert a modal or complement, split it: 作得了主 (can decide), 作不了主 (cannot decide). The common variant 做主 is interchangeable.
v
to make the final decisionto have the final say
Examples
- 作主？Zhè jiàn shì yóu shuí lái zuò zhǔ?Who has the final say on this matter?
- ？Tā zuò de liǎo zhège zhǔ ma?Can he make the decision on this?
- 。Wǒ zài jiālǐ zuò bù liǎo zhǔ.I don't have the final say at home.
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