Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'forming' something in Japanese, covering creation, shaping, organizing, and establishing.
To form, create, or produce something new, often from raw materials or ideas.
The most general verb for making or creating something. Can be used for physical objects, food, and abstract things like rules or relationships.
He formed a chair out of wood.
A more formal term for forming or shaping something, often used for abstract concepts, structures, or natural formations.
To give a specific shape to a material by hand or with tools.
Technical term for shaping or molding materials, especially in manufacturing or crafts.
To bring people together into an organized body like a team, committee, or government.
To form or organize a group, band, team, or political party.
To gradually develop a habit, opinion, or characteristic.
To be the parts that together create something.
To form or constitute a whole; used for components, members, or elements.
作る is the everyday word for making or creating. 形成する is more formal and often used for abstract or gradual formation, like character or geological features.
In English, 'forming' is often used in continuous tenses. In Japanese, the simple form or a noun phrase is often more natural. For example, 'He is forming a plan' is better as 計画を立てている rather than a literal translation of 'forming'.
They are forming a line.
We need to form new rules.
This rock was formed over a long period.
His ideas were formed by his experiences.
Literally 'to shape' or 'to give form to'. Used for physically shaping something or metaphorically shaping character or destiny.
The potter formed the clay into a beautiful jar.
Heat the plastic and form it.
To knead and shape dough, clay, etc. Common in cooking and pottery.
Knead the bread dough and form it into a round shape.
To shape or trim something into a desired form, often used in gardening, orthopedics, or cosmetics.
Shape the branches of the bonsai.
We formed a new band.
They decided to form a committee.
To organize or form a systematic group, often with a structure or hierarchy.
Form a labor union.
Casual way to say 'form a group', especially in everyday conversation.
Let's form a club.
To acquire or form a habit, skill, or quality through practice or experience.
It's important to form good habits.
Formal way to say 'form' for abstract qualities or personality.
Childhood experiences form one's character.
To cultivate or foster a quality over time, such as patience or trust.
Form a relationship of trust.
This committee is formed of ten members.
To consist of; often used in the pattern ～から成る.
Water is formed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Can also be used for constituting a whole, especially in formal contexts.
These elements form the whole.
The idea is still forming in my mind.
Natural Japanese uses まとまる (to come together) rather than a direct translation of 'forming'.