make or do

Word

Explanation

Example

make

to create sth. (you often use your hands)

We make birdhouses every winter.
The pupils make a lot of noise in the break.
She makes me happy.

do

an action you do not mention by name;
mostly mental work;
mostly referred to the topic "work"

They do their homework in the afternoon.
I often do the shopping in the evenings.

There are no clear rules whether to use "do" or "make": Have a look in a good dictionary, like to OALD, or use make it is more likely to be right.