Translation guide
The English verb 'make' covers many meanings: creating, producing, causing, preparing, and more. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being made or the nature of the action. This guide organizes the most useful meanings for learners.
To make an object, product, or physical item, often from materials or parts.
The most general verb for making or creating something tangible. Used for food, crafts, furniture, etc.
彼は木で机を作った。
He made a desk out of wood.
母がケーキを作ってくれた。
My mother made a cake for me.
Formal term for manufacturing or producing goods, especially in factories.
この工場では自動車を製造している。
This factory manufactures cars.
Used for creating documents, lists, plans, or digital content. More formal than 作る.
報告書を作成しました。
I made (created) the report.
To make a meal, dish, or beverage.
The standard verb for preparing food or drinks at home.
朝ごはんを作る。
I make breakfast.
コーヒーを作ってもらえますか？
Can you make me some coffee?
Specifically means 'to cook' or 'to prepare a meal'. Emphasizes the cooking process.
今夜は私が料理する。
I'll make dinner tonight.
To make someone feel an emotion or be in a certain condition.
Pattern using i-adjective in く form + する to mean 'make something ~'. For example, 嬉しくする (make happy), 大きくする (make bigger).
その知らせは彼女を悲しくさせた。
The news made her sad.
音楽は私を幸せにする。
Music makes me happy.
Pattern using na-adjective or noun + にする to mean 'make something ~'. For example, きれいにする (make clean), 有名にする (make famous).
部屋をきれいにしてください。
Please make the room clean.
彼は町を有名にした。
He made the town famous.
Causative form of verbs, meaning 'to make/let someone do'. Often used when making someone perform an action.
母は私に野菜を食べさせた。
My mother made me eat vegetables.
To compel or require someone to take an action.
Causative form with に marking the person made to do something. Can imply forcing or allowing depending on context.
先生は生徒に宿題をやらせた。
The teacher made the students do their homework.
Used when you have someone do something for you (causative nuance with benefit). More polite than direct causative.
彼に車を洗ってもらった。
I had him wash the car. / I made him wash the car (for me).
To make money through work or business.
The standard verb for earning money or income.
彼はたくさんお金を稼いでいる。
He makes a lot of money.
Literally 'obtain money', but less common than 稼ぐ for earning. Used in formal contexts.
投資でお金を得る方法
ways to make money through investment
To make a decision, plan, appointment, etc.
Used for making decisions, rules, or choices.
会議の日を決めましょう。
Let's make (decide on) a date for the meeting.
Specifically for making a reservation or appointment.
レストランを予約しました。
I made a reservation at the restaurant.
Can be used for making rules, plans, or lists in a creative sense.
To make friends or establish a relationship.
The standard phrase for making friends.
新しい学校で友達を作りたい。
I want to make friends at my new school.
To become acquainted with someone, less close than 友達.
パーティーでたくさんの人と知り合いになった。
I made many acquaintances at the party.
To make something into something else, or to appoint someone to a role.
Pattern for turning something into something else, or appointing someone as something.
彼をリーダーにした。
We made him the leader.
その経験が彼を強くした。
That experience made him strong.
English 'make' is very broad. Using 作る for non-physical creation (like making a decision or making someone happy) often sounds unnatural. Use the specific verbs or patterns shown above.
決める (make a decision)
decide
幸せにする (make happy)
make happy
作る is general and everyday. 製造する is for industrial manufacturing. 作成する is for documents, plans, or digital content. Use 作る unless you need a formal or technical nuance.
We made new rules.