Related words 作り is a native Japanese suffix for 'made' or 'construction' (as in 手作り ), while 製 is the more formal, Sino-Japanese suffix used for manufactured origin.
産 focuses specifically on the place something was produced or grown (日本産 ), whereas 製 can also indicate the material or manufacturer.
製 is a more formal suffix used mainly for manufactured products (日本製 'made in Japan'), whereas 作り is broader and covers processes, cultivation, and style, not just goods.
Don't confuse with 製 (as in 製作 , meaning 'to manufacture') is easily confused in writing with 制 (as in 制作 , meaning 'to create/produce artistically or administratively'), since both are read せい and appear in similar-looking compounds.
Word family· 133 product; manufactured goods; finished goods
manufacture; production
manufacture; production · production (film, play, TV, etc.)
reproduction; duplication; copy
pharmaceutical manufacturing; drug manufacture
Show 25 more Show fewer specially made; custom-made; deluxe
wooden; made of wood
refining; purification · careful manufacture; meticulous production
manufacturing method; production process; recipe; formula
homemade · made in-house; housemade; made on the premises
confectionery production; confectionery manufacturing
dairy products
formulation (of pharmaceuticals); preparation; pharmaceutical production
manufacture; production
smoking; smoked food · smoked
handmade; homemade
ice making; ice production
bookbinding; binding (a book)
iron manufacturing; ironmaking
stuffed specimen; taxidermy mount · stuffing; mounting
sewing; dressmaking; tailoring
drafting; drawing (technical)
made of iron; iron
lumber sawing; lumber milling
preparation; manufacture; making to order
trial manufacture; experimental production
government-made; government-manufactured
oil refining · oil extraction; oil pressing
ready-made; off-the-shelf
carefully made; carefully produced · quality product; product made with care
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Etymology Sino-Japanese suffix from Middle Chinese 製 (tsyejH), meaning 'to cut out clothes' or 'to manufacture'. Used in Japanese to form compounds indicating production or origin.
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