Translation guide
How to express that something is created, manufactured, or comes into existence in Japanese, depending on what is being produced and the context.
ここでは車が生産されています。
Cars are produced here.
新しいアイデアが生まれた。
A new idea was produced.
To say that something is made, manufactured, or created, often in a factory or by a process.
Passive form of 生産する (to produce). Used for mass production of goods, agricultural products, etc.
この工場では自動車が生産されている。
Cars are produced at this factory.
Passive of 製造する (to manufacture). Often used for industrial products, machinery, or processed goods.
この部品は日本で製造されています。
These parts are manufactured in Japan.
Passive of 作る (to make). A general, everyday word for making or producing something, including food, crafts, etc.
このチーズは北海道で作られています。
This cheese is produced in Hokkaido.
Passive of 生成する (to generate). Used for data, energy, or abstract things being generated, often in technical contexts.
このプログラムでレポートが自動生成される。
Reports are automatically generated by this program.
To express that something new appears, is born, or comes into being, often naturally or as a result of a process.
Literally 'to be born', but also used for ideas, organizations, or things coming into existence.
新しいビジネスが次々と生まれている。
New businesses are being produced one after another.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to occur' or 'to arise'. Used for problems, phenomena, or natural events.
この地域では地震が頻繁に発生する。
Earthquakes are frequently produced in this region.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to arise' or 'to be produced'. Often used for results, effects, or changes.
Passive of 生み出す (to produce, to give birth to). Emphasizes the creation of something new, often creative or innovative.
この研究所で多くの発明が生み出された。
Many inventions were produced at this research institute.
To say that something is produced as a result, effect, or outcome of something else.
Passive of もたらす (to bring about). Used for results, benefits, or consequences being brought about.
新しい技術によって大きな変化がもたらされた。
Great changes were produced by the new technology.
Passive of 引き起こす (to cause). Often used for problems, accidents, or negative events.
その事故は人為的ミスによって引き起こされた。
The accident was produced by human error.
Also used here as an intransitive verb meaning 'to arise from'. See previous meaning.
To say that a work of art, film, or creative product is produced by someone.
Passive of 制作する (to produce, to create). Used for films, TV programs, artworks, etc.
この映画は有名な監督によって制作された。
This film was produced by a famous director.
Loanword from English 'produce', used in entertainment and business contexts.
そのアルバムは彼によってプロデュースされた。
The album was produced by him.
生産 (seisan) is for mass production, often of goods or resources. 製造 (seizou) is for manufacturing, especially industrial products. 作る (tsukuru) is the general 'make' and can be used for many things including food and crafts. Use the passive form when the focus is on the product being produced.
この工場ではおもちゃを生産している。
This factory produces toys.
この会社は電子部品を製造している。
This company manufactures electronic parts.
母は毎日お弁当を作る。
My mother makes a lunchbox every day.
In Japanese, the passive is often used to describe something being produced, but sometimes an intransitive verb (like 生まれる or 発生する) is more natural. Avoid directly translating 'be produced' as a single passive verb in all cases.
問題が発生した。
A problem was produced. (natural: A problem occurred.)
その政策によって様々な問題が生じた。
Various problems were produced by that policy.
誤解から争いが生じることがある。
Conflicts can be produced from misunderstandings.