Translation guide
Handicraft refers to items made by hand with skill, or the activity of making them. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 手芸 (shugei), which covers a wide range of decorative crafts like knitting, embroidery, and sewing. For traditional crafts or artisan work, 工芸 (kōgei) is used. The verb 'to do handicrafts' is often expressed as 手芸をする.
The general activity or hobby of making decorative items by hand, often using textiles, thread, or paper.
The most common word for handicrafts as a hobby, including knitting, embroidery, sewing, and similar activities.
My mother is good at handicrafts.
I enjoy doing handicrafts on weekends.
The verb phrase meaning 'to do handicrafts'.
She does handicrafts every day.
Literally 'hand work', can refer to handicrafts or manual labor. Often implies a more rustic or traditional feel.
Loanword from English, used in contexts like craft fairs or workshops, but less common in daily conversation.
I went to a handicraft event.
Handicrafts as traditional or artistic crafts, often with cultural significance, made by skilled artisans.
Refers to industrial arts or crafts, especially traditional Japanese crafts like pottery, lacquerware, and textiles.
This region is known for its handicrafts.
A more formal term combining 'hand' and 'craft', used in official contexts.
Referring to a specific object that is made by hand, often as a souvenir or gift.
A general term for a handmade item, emphasizing that it was made by hand rather than mass-produced.
This is a handicraft made by my mother.
A craft item, usually implying artistic or traditional value.
A handicraft item, typically from hobbies like knitting or embroidery.
手芸 (shugei) is used for handicrafts as a hobby, like knitting or embroidery. 工芸 (kōgei) refers to artistic or traditional crafts, often with cultural value, such as pottery or lacquerware. Use 手芸 for everyday crafts and 工芸 for more formal or traditional crafts.
The literal translation '手の工芸' or 'ハンドクラフト' is not natural in most contexts. Stick to 手芸 or 工芸 depending on the nuance.
祖母は手仕事が好きで、よく編み物をします。
My grandmother likes handiwork and often knits.
I went to Kyoto to learn traditional handicrafts.
Specifically 'traditional handicrafts', often used for officially designated crafts.
I bought traditional handicraft items.
手工芸の展示会が開かれます。
A handicraft exhibition will be held.
This handicraft is very beautiful.
手芸品を友達にプレゼントしました。
I gave a handicraft item to my friend as a present.