Japanese symbol for “build”

In Japanese, build is 作る, read つくる (tsukuru).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

1. v5r, vt to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
2. v5r, vt to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
3. v5r, vt to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
4. v5r, vt to till
5. v5r, vt to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
6. v5r, vt to create (an artistic work, etc.); to compose

Written forms: 作る、造る、創る. Readings: つくる.

Kanji and stroke order

↻ Replay stroke order

Other Japanese words for “build”

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

See also: Chinese symbol for “build”.

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.