Translation and Meaning of: 作る - tsukuru

The Japanese word 作る [つくる] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language. It frequently appears in everyday life, in animes, songs, and even in cooking recipes. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, and practical uses, along with curiosities that help understand how the Japanese perceive this expression in their daily life.

If you have ever wondered how to say "to make" or "to create" in Japanese, 作る (tsukuru) is one of the first words you need to know. Its usage ranges from physical objects to abstract concepts, making it versatile and essential. Here, you will also find tips to memorize it more easily and examples of how to apply it correctly.

Meaning and usage of 作る

作る means "to make," "to create," or "to produce." It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. For example, 料理を作る (りょうりをつくる) means "to make food." This word is so common that it appears in various situations, from crafts to building relationships.

An interesting characteristic of 作る is its application in both concrete and abstract contexts. While it can be used to "make a cake" (ケーキを作る), it also appears in expressions like "make plans" (計画を作る). This flexibility makes it one of the most useful words for Japanese learners.

Origin and writing of the kanji 作

The kanji 作 is composed of two radicals: 亻 (left side, which indicates "person") and 乍 (right side, related to "beginning" or "work"). This combination suggests the idea of a person performing a creative action. The reading つくる is the kun'yomi (Japanese reading), while the on'yomi (Chinese reading) is サク, as in 作品 (さくひん - work).

Interestingly, the kanji 作 also appears in words like 作家 (さっか - writer/artist) and 作業 (さぎょう - work/task). Studying these related terms can help better solidify the original meaning. The etymology reinforces the notion of creation, whether artistic, manual, or intellectual.

Tips for memorizing and using 作る

An effective way to remember 作る is to associate it with everyday situations. For example, think of "making lunch" or "creating a drawing." Repeating sentences like 机を作る (つくえをつくる - make a desk) helps to memorize the grammatical structure. Anki and other spaced repetition apps are great for practicing these examples.

It is important to note that 作る should not be confused with 造る, another verb that also means "to make," but with an emphasis on large-scale construction (such as ships or buildings). While 作る has a more general and artisanal sense, 造る is used for industrial or large-scale productions. This subtle difference is important for those who want to speak Japanese accurately.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 造る (Tsukuru) - Make, build (typically used for structures and physical objects)
• 創る (Tsukuru) - Create (frequently used in artistic and creative contexts)
• つくる (Tsukuru) - Make, prepare, assemble (everyday and general use)

作る

Romaji: tsukuru
Kana: つくる
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2, jlpt-n1, jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: to do; to create; manufacture; elaborate; to write; to compose; ramp up; brother-in-law; grow crops; organize; to establish; compensate (a face); manufacture; prepare (food); commit (sin); ramp up

Meaning in English: to make;to create;to manufacture;to draw up;to write;to compose;to build;to coin;to cultivate;to organize;to establish;to make up (a face);to trim (a tree);to fabricate;to prepare (food);to commit (sin);to construct

Definition: To process things to create new things.

Example Sentences - (作る) tsukuru

See below some example sentences:

メーカーは製品を作る会社です。

Mēkā wa seihin o tsukuru kaisha desu

A manufacturer is a company that produces products.

The manufacturer is a company that manufactures products.

• メーカー - manufacturer
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• を - direct object particle
• 作る - make, produce
• 会社 - company
• です - verb "to be", indicating state or quality

小学校で友達を作るのは楽しいです。

Shougakkou de tomodachi wo tsukuru no wa tanoshii desu

Making friends in elementary school is fun.

It's fun to make friends in elementary school.

• 小学校で - in primary school
• 友達を - friends
• 作る - make
• のは - is
• 楽しい - fun
• です - (sentence ending particle)

私は毎日料理を作る。

Watashi wa mainichi ryōri o tsukuru

I cook every day.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - Japanese adverb meaning "every day"
• 料理 (ryouri) - The Japanese noun that means "cuisine" or "cooking" is "料理" (りょうり, ryōri).
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 作る (tsukuru) - Japanese verb that means "to do" or "to prepare"

群れを作るのは自然の摂理だ。

Mure wo tsukuru no wa shizen no setsuri da

It is a natural providence to make a herd.

• 群れ (mure) - means "group" or "herd" in Japanese
• を (wo) - object particle
• 作る (tsukuru) - Verb that means "to create" or "to form"
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 自然 (shizen) - It means "nature" in Japanese.
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 摂理 (setsuri) - It means "natural order" or "law of nature" in Japanese.
• だ (da) - copulative verb indicating existence or identity

香辛料を使って料理を作りました。

Kōshinryō o tsukatte ryōri o tsukurimashita

I made a meal using spices.

I cooked using spices.

• 香辛料 - Spice
• を - direct object particle
• 使って - using
• 料理 - cuisine
• を - direct object particle
• 作りました - he did

布で作られた服はとても快適です。

Fuku de tsukurareta fuku wa totemo kaiteki desu

Clothes made of fabric are very comfortable.

Clothing made of cloth is very comfortable.

• 布で作られた - made of fabric
• 服 - clothes
• は - Topic particle
• とても - very
• 快適 - comfortable
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

作り方を教えてください。

Tsukurikata wo oshiete kudasai

Please teach me how to do it.

Please tell you how to make it.

• 作り方 - noun meaning "method of doing something"
• を - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 教えて - verb meaning "teach" or "explain"
• ください - polite form of the verb "give", used to make a request or request

この料理は名人の手によって作られました。

Kono ryōri wa meijin no te ni yotte tsukuraremashita

This dish was made by a master chef.

This dish was made by the master.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 料理 - noun that means "cuisine" or "dish"
• は - Topic tag that indicates the subject of the sentence, in this case "this cuisine"
• 名人 - noun that means "specialist" or "master"
• の - possessive particle indicating the possession relationship, in this case "of the master"
• 手 - noun that means "hand" or "skill"
• によって - "done by the hands of the master"
• 作られました - passive verb in the past form that means "was done" or "was prepared"

キャンパスで友達を作りたいです。

Kyampusu de tomodachi wo tsukuritai desu

I want to make friends on campus.

• キャンパス (kyanpasu) - campus
• で (de) - in
• 友達 (tomodachi) - amigo/amiga
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 作りたい (tsukuritai) - want to do/create
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

この模型はとても精密に作られています。

Kono mokei wa totemo seimitsu ni tsukurareteimasu

This model is made very precisely.

• この - demonstrative "this"
• 模型 - Noun "model"
• は - Topic particle
• とても - adverb "very"
• 精密 - adjective "precise"
• に - Target particle
• 作られています - passive verb "was done"