Translation and Meaning of: 製 - sei

The Japanese word 製[せい] is a versatile term commonly found in everyday life in Japan, especially in contexts related to manufacturing and production. If you have come across this word on packaging, labels, or even in animes, you may have been curious about its meaning and usage. In this article, we will explore everything from its origin and translation to cultural context and practical examples of how it appears in the Japanese language.

In addition to understanding the basic meaning of 製[せい], it is important to know how this word fits into compound expressions and in which situations it is most commonly used. If you are studying Japanese, knowing how to memorize it and apply it correctly can be a differentiator in your learning. Let's dive into these details so you can use 製[せい] with confidence.

Meaning and translation of 製[せい]

The term 製[せい] is a suffix or prefix that generally means "made by," "produced by," or "manufactured in." It is widely used to indicate the origin or method of production of a item. For example, on product packaging, you might find expressions like 日本製 (にほんせい), which means "made in Japan." This word carries cultural weight, as it is often associated with Japanese quality and manufacturing standards.

In translations to English, 製[せい] can be adapted in various ways depending on the context. In some cases, it can be translated as "manufactured" or "produced." It is important to note that, while its meaning is straightforward, the correct usage in sentences requires attention to the grammatical structure of Japanese. For example, アメリカ製 (アメリカせい) means "made in the USA," but the word order and the particle の can slightly alter the meaning.

Origin and historical use of 製[せい]

The word 製[せい] has roots in the kanji 製, which is composed of the radicals 衣 (clothes) and 制 (control, system). Originally, this kanji was related to the making of clothing, but its meaning has expanded to encompass any type of manufacturing or production. This development reflects the evolution of Japanese society, which transitioned from a craftsmanship-based economy to an industrial powerhouse.

In the Meiji period (1868-1912), when Japan began to modernize rapidly, the term 製[せい] gained even more relevance. Industrialization brought with it the need to differentiate local products from imported ones, and 製[せい] became an effective way to communicate the origin and quality of goods. To this day, this word is a symbol of national pride in sectors such as automobiles, electronics, and textiles.

Everyday use and common expressions

In daily life, 製[せい] appears in various situations, from product labels to technical descriptions. A common expression is 手製 (てせい), which means "handmade" or "artisan." This term is often used to highlight products that are not industrialized, such as food or crafts. Another example is 自家製 (じかせい), which refers to something "homemade," like preserves or beverages.

Additionally, 製[せい] is used in more formal or technical contexts, such as in instruction manuals or product specifications. For example, 金属製 (きんぞくせい) means "made of metal," while プラスチック製 (プラスチックせい) indicates "made of plastic." Knowing how to identify these expressions can be very useful for those who consume Japanese products or study the language.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 作 (Saku) - Make, create; usually refers to the creation of an artistic or literary work.
• 造 (Zō) - Build, manufacture; emphasizes the construction or creation of something on a large scale.
• 生産 (Seisan) - Production; generally used in industrial and economic contexts.
• 製造 (Seizō) - Manufacturing; refers to the production of goods, usually in an industrial context.
• 製作 (Seisaku) - Production, creation; more focused on product creation, especially in arts and entertainment.
• 製品化 (Seihin-ka) - Marketing of products; it involves the process of turning something into a commercial product.

製

Romaji: sei
Kana: せい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: -done; do

Meaning in English: '-made;make

Definition: To do. To produce.

Example Sentences - (製) sei

See below some example sentences:

この製品の用途は何ですか？

Kono seihin no yōto wa nan desu ka?

What is the use of this product?

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 製品 - noun meaning "product" or "merchandise"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 用途 - noun that means "use" or "application"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
• です - Verb "to be" in polite form
• か - Particle that indicates a question
• ？ - punctuation mark that indicates a question

この製品は高品質です。

Kono seihin wa kōhinshitsu desu

This product is of high quality.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 製品 - noun that means "product/manufactured"
• は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "this product"
• 高品質 - compound noun that means "high quality"
• です - the verb "to be" in the polite and formal form

この製品は日本原産です。

Kono seihin wa Nihon gensan desu

This product is of Japanese origin.

This product is native to Japan.

• この製品 - This product
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 日本 - Japan
• 原産 - Origin, production
• です - Verb to be in the polite form

上等な品質の製品を提供します。

Joutou na hinshitsu no seihin wo teikyou shimasu

We provide superior quality products.

Provides high quality products.

• 上等な - superior
• 品質 - quality
• の - of
• 製品 - product
• を - direct object
• 提供します - will provide

加工は製品の品質を向上させるために重要です。

Kakou wa seihin no hinshitsu wo koujou saseru tame ni juuyou desu

Processing is important to improve product quality.

• 加工 - manufacturing or processing process
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• の - Possessive particle
• 品質 - quality
• を - direct object particle
• 向上 - improvement, enhancement
• させる - causative verb for "to make better"
• ために - for, for the purpose of
• 重要 - important
• です - verb to be, polite form

原料は製品の品質に大きく影響します。

Genryō wa seihin no hinshitsu ni ōkiku eikyō shimasu

The subjects have a significant effect on product quality.

• 原料 - raw material
• は - Topic particle
• 製品 - product
• の - Possession particle
• 品質 - quality
• に - target particle
• 大きく - greatly
• 影響します - influence

本物の品質を持つ製品が欲しいです。

Honmono no hinshitsu wo motsu seihin ga hoshii desu

I want a product with real quality.

• 本物の品質を持つ - genuine quality
• 製品 - product
• 欲しい - wish
• です - Is (verb to be in the present tense)

私たちは新製品を売り出す予定です。

Watashitachi wa shinseihin o uridasu yotei desu

We plan to sell new products.

• 私たちは - Personal pronoun "we"
• 新製品 - noun "new product"
• を - direct object particle
• 売り出す - verb "to sell" in the infinitive
• 予定 - "Flat" noun
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense

私たちは多くの製品を取り扱うことができます。

Watashitachi wa ōku no seihin o toriatsukau koto ga dekimasu

We can handle many products.

• 私たちは - 「私たち」
• 多くの - Many
• 製品 - "Products" in Japanese.
• を - Direct Object Particle in Japanese
• 取り扱う - "Lidar com" or "Manusear" in Japanese
• ことができます - Expression meaning "to be able to" in Japanese

製作は私たちの仕事です。

Seisaku wa watashitachi no shigoto desu

Production is our job.

Production is our job.

• 製作 (seisaku) - production, manufacturing
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 私たち (watashitachi) - we
• の (no) - Particle that indicates possession
• 仕事 (shigoto) - work, employment
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form