日本製
Nihon-sei
The English phrase "made in japan" is translated into Japanese as 日本製 (Nihon-sei).
日本製 is an adjective used to indicate that a product was manufactured in Japan.
Meaning: manufactured in Japan (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 日本 (Nihon), meaning Japan and the suffix 製 (sei), which indicates that something is made or manufactured.
How does it change in a sentence?
日本製 functions as a noun or a noun-modifier. This means it can be used as a subject in a sentence or placed directly before another noun to describe it.
How do you pronounce it?
Nihon-sei
What mistakes should you avoid?
While 日本製 is used for manufactured goods, do not use it for agricultural or natural products like fruit or fish.
Did you know?
- In the early 20th century, 'Made in Japan' was often seen as a mark of low quality in Western markets. This historical stigma drove Japanese companies to obsess over quality control, eventually turning 日本製 into a global symbol of precision.
- While 日本製 is for industrial goods, Japanese people use 国産 (kokusan) for food. Calling a tomato 日本製 implies it was synthesized in a factory rather than grown in a field.
- The suffix 製 (sei) can be attached to other countries, such as 米国製 (beikoku-sei) for 'Made in USA'. However, 日本製 is the most common pairing because of Japan's massive export history.
Examples in context
- この時計は日本製です。This watch is made in Japan.This sentence is useful for saying that a specific watch is made in Japan using 日本製.Tatoeba #221588 by KK_kaku_, translation #58912 by CK
- これは日本製の時計です。This is a watch made in Japan.This sentence shows how to use 日本製 as a noun-modifier to describe a watch.Tatoeba #218155 by bunbuku, translation #55467 by papabear
- こちらの車は日本製です。These cars are made in Japan.This sentence uses 日本製 to state that these cars are made in Japan.Tatoeba #9826197 by bunbuku, translation #55193 by CK
- この商品は日本製です。This product is Made in Japan.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Yui are looking at a camera in a store.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのカメラは日本製ですか？Kono kamera wa nihonsei desu ka?Is this camera made in Japan?
- 結衣 Yuiはい、日本製ですよ。Hai, nihonsei desu yo.Yes, it is made in Japan.
- 大翔 Hirotoやっぱり安心ですね。Yappari anshin desu ne.As expected, it's reliable.
- 結衣 Yuiそうですね。質がいいです。Sou desu ne. Shitsu ga ii desu.I agree. The quality is good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “made in japan” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
