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.
彼は木で椅子を作った。
He formed a chair out of wood.
新しいルールを作る必要がある。
We need to form new rules.
A more formal term for forming or shaping something, often used for abstract concepts, structures, or natural formations.
この岩は長い時間をかけて形成された。
This rock was formed over a long period.
彼の考えは経験によって形成された。
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.
陶芸家は粘土を美しい壺に形作った。
The potter formed the clay into a beautiful jar.
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.
プラスチックを加熱して成形する。
Heat the plastic and form it.
To knead and shape dough, clay, etc. Common in cooking and pottery.
パン生地をこねて丸く成形する。
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.
盆栽の枝を整形する。
Shape the branches of the bonsai.
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.
新しいバンドを結成した。
We formed a new band.
彼らは委員会を結成することにした。
They decided to form a committee.
To organize or form a systematic group, often with a structure or hierarchy.
労働組合を組織する。
Form a labor union.
Casual way to say 'form a group', especially in everyday conversation.
To gradually develop a habit, opinion, or characteristic.
To acquire or form a habit, skill, or quality through practice or experience.
良い習慣を身につけることが大切だ。
It's important to form good habits.
Formal way to say 'form' for abstract qualities or personality.
子供の頃の経験が人格を形成する。
Childhood experiences form one's character.
To cultivate or foster a quality over time, such as patience or trust.
To be the parts that together create something.
To form or constitute a whole; used for components, members, or elements.
この委員会は10人のメンバーで構成されている。
This committee is formed of ten members.
To consist of; often used in the pattern ～から成る.
水は水素と酸素から成る。
Water is formed of hydrogen and oxygen.
Can also be used for constituting a whole, especially in formal contexts.
これらの要素が全体を形成している。
These elements form the whole.
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'.
彼らは列を作っている。
They are forming a line.
まだ考えがまとまっていない。
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'.
Let's form a club.
信頼関係を培う。
Form a relationship of trust.