作る
tsukuru[t͡sɨ̥kɯ̟ɾɯ̟]
The English verb 'make' can be translated into Japanese as 作る (tsukuru). Wiktionary also lists 生産する (seisan suru) and 製造する (seizō suru).
Meaning: to produce (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 作る | tsukuru | [t͡sɨ̥kɯ̟ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 生産する | seisan suru | |
| 製造する | seizō suru |
While the primary way to say 'make' is through the forms provided, you may also encounter related terms meaning 'brand' such as メーク, 銘柄 or 製.
Which one should you use?
作る is used for making things like food, crafts or abstract things like relationships. In contrast, 生産する is used in the context of economic production, such as a country producing goods or a factory producing a certain volume of products. Finally, 製造する specifically refers to the industrial manufacturing of goods in a factory setting.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The past tense of 作る is 作った. To express the desire to make something, use the stem form of 作る plus たい, resulting in 作りたい.
How do you pronounce it?
tsukuru
Did you know?
- The word 作る can also mean 'to fake' or 'to forge' when referring to things like a smile, a document or a persona.
- In Japanese, the phrase for 'making a mistake' does not use 作る but uses 間違える or ミスをする.
- The word 作る shares the same pronunciation as 造る, which is specifically used for making things like sake or ships.
Examples in context
- 夕飯、作るね。I'll make dinner.This sentence is useful for practicing the form 作る when talking about dinner.Tatoeba #12461975 by small_snow, translation #10114112 by ddnktr
- コーヒー作るわ。I will make some coffee.This sentence is useful for practicing the form 作る when talking about coffee.Tatoeba #224858 by bunbuku, translation #62194 by CC
- 僕が朝食作るよ。I'll make breakfast.This sentence is useful for practicing the form 作る when talking about breakfast.Tatoeba #9237576 by small_snow, translation #9237575 by CK
- 社長が新しいプランを作りました。The president made a new plan.
- 彼は独自のデザインを創りました。He created a unique design.
- 会社は新しい商品を創り出そうとしています。The company is trying to create a new product.
- 友達と一緒に映画を作ろう！Let's make a movie together with friends!
- 何かおいしいもの作ってきて！Make something delicious and bring it!
- 今日は何しようかな？ピザでもつくろう！What should we do today? Let's make pizza or something!
- 60 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are talking about a school project.
- 結衣 Yui何か一緒に作りませんか？Nanika issho ni tsukurimasen ka?Would you like to make something together?
- 健太 Kentaいいですね。何を作る？Ii desu ne. Nani o tsukuru?That sounds good. What shall we make?
- 結衣 Yui工作で模型を作りましょう。Kousaku de mokei o tsukurimashou.Let's make a model for the craft project.
- 健太 Kenta賛成！明日作ろう。Sansei! Ashita tsukurou.I agree! Let's make it tomorrow.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “make” translations and entries 作る, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
