Japanese symbol for “make”
作る
つくる
Romaji: tsukuru
to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build
In Japanese, make 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
- v5r, vt to make; to produce; to manufacture; to build; to construct
- v5r, vt to prepare (food); to brew (alcohol)
- v5r, vt to raise; to grow; to cultivate; to train
- v5r, vt to till
- v5r, vt to draw up (a document); to make out; to prepare; to write
- 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
Other Japanese words for “make”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 号 | ごう gou | number; edition; make |
| 作り | つくり tsukuri | making; producing; manufacturing |
| 製 | せい sei | make; manufacture; -made |
| 固める | かためる katameru | to harden; to freeze; to strengthen |
| 銘柄 | めいがら meigara | brand; make; description |
Related words
Words that share a kanji.
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 作品 | さくひん sakuhin | work (e.g. book, film, painting, composition); piece; production |
| 作業 | さぎょう sagyou | work; operation; task |
| 制作 | せいさく seisaku | work (film, book) |
| 作戦 | さくせん sakusen | tactics; strategy |
| 操作 | そうさ sousa | operation; management; handling |
See also: Chinese symbol for “make”.
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.