Translation guide
How to express that something comes into existence, takes shape, or is created, depending on whether it is natural, man-made, or abstract.
Something forms or develops over time, often without a direct agent.
General verb for something coming into being, forming, or being made. Very common and natural.
Clouds formed.
A new habit formed.
More formal/literary; often used for geological, biological, or abstract formations.
This landscape was formed over millions of years.
To arise, come about; often for abstract things like problems or feelings.
A misunderstanding formed/arose.
Something is put together, organized, or established by human effort.
Passive of 作る (to make). The most common way to say something is made/formed by someone.
This team was formed last year.
A committee was formed.
Specifically for forming groups, bands, teams, organizations.
A new band was formed.
For establishing companies, institutions, or formal organizations.
The company was formed/established in 1990.
A physical object is molded, shaped, or comes to have a particular form.
Describing the composition or constituents of something.
English 'be formed' covers many situations. In Japanese, the best word depends on what is forming and how. Using 形成される for everyday things can sound overly formal. For simple natural formation, できる is usually best.