工作|こうさくkousaku[0]heiban (flat)

1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbhandicraft
   彼かれは工作こうさくに熟練じゅくれんしている。↗

   He is skilled in handicraft.
2. noun, suru verb, transitive verbwork; construction; manufacturing
3. noun, suru verb, transitive verbmaneuvering; manoeuvering
   会計かいけい係かかりが逮捕たいほされたが、原因げんいんは彼かれの裏うら帳簿ちょうぼ工作こうさくだという噂うわさがあった。↗

   When the accountant was arrested, rumour had it that it was for his creative bookkeeping.

• Synonym作るつくるNeutralThe everyday verb for making anything, with the broadest range; 「工作」 is a noun for handicrafts or behind-the-scenes activity.
• Related作り出すつくりだすNeutralVerb for creating or producing something, stressing bringing it into being from nothing; 「工作」 covers handicraft or behind-the-scenes maneuvering instead.
• Related作り上げるつくりあげるNeutralVerb for finishing or completing something; also fabricating, as in 「話を作り上げる」. The focus is on completion, unlike 「工作」.
• Related製作せいさくWrittenWritten style. Making items with tools or machines, or producing films and shows; unlike 「工作」, never means behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
• Related製造せいぞうWrittenWritten style. Turning raw materials into products, in industry or by hand; 「工作」 leans toward simple handicrafts or behind-the-scenes activity.
• Related制作せいさくWrittenWritten style. Creating films, art and other works; the emphasis is on creative production, not on handicraft or maneuvering.
• Related作成さくせいWrittenWritten style. Drafting documents or compiling tables and lists; centered on paperwork, which 「工作」 does not cover.
• Related作製さくせいWrittenWritten style. Making drawings, specimens and the like; a formal, technical term, unlike the handicraft sense of 「工作」.
• Related生産せいさんWrittenWritten style. Producing goods on any scale, by machine or hand; an economic term, while 「工作」 suggests simple handwork or maneuvering.
• Related作りつくりCasualColloquial noun for how something is made, its build, or one's dressed-up look, as in 「作りがしっかり」; 「工作」 is the activity itself.
• Related創造そうぞうWrittenWritten style. Creating something entirely new, as in 「天地創造」; far broader in ambition than the handwork of 「工作」.
• Related創作そうさくWrittenWritten style. Original artistic or literary creation, as in 「創作料理」; stresses originality, unlike 「工作」's handwork.
• Related生みうみNeutralNoun for producing or creating, used mostly in compounds such as 「生みの親」; 「工作」 is the act of handwork or maneuvering.
• Related生成せいせいWrittenWritten style. Generating or forming something, as in 「画像生成」; a technical term, not used for handicrafts or maneuvering.
• Related仕立てるしたてるNeutralVerb for tailoring clothes, and also for training someone or dressing them up as something; stresses shaping into form, unlike 「工作」.
• Related成形せいけいWrittenWritten style. Shaping or molding material into form, as in 「樹脂成形」; a technical term, narrower than 「工作」.
• Related設営せつえいWrittenWritten style. Setting up venues or camps, as in 「テント設営」; focuses on arranging a site, which 「工作」 does not mean.
• RelatedこしらえるCasualColloquial verb for making or getting something ready, as in 「弁当を拵える」, with a hands-on feel; 「工作」 is the noun for such work.
• Related図るはかるWrittenWritten style. Working to bring something about or scheming, as in 「便宜を図る」「解決を図る」; 「工作」 leans toward covert maneuvering.

Use 「工作」 for handicrafts or behind-the-scenes maneuvering, as in 「図画工作」 and 「裏工作」. For everyday making choose 「作る」, for industrial production 「製造」, for artistic creation 「制作」 or 「創作」, for setting up a venue 「設営」, and for working to achieve something 「図る」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

1. 切きったり接着せっちゃくしたり組み立くみたてたりして比較的ひかくてき簡単かんたんなものを作つくること。また小学校しょうがっこうの科目かもくである図画工作ずがこうさくの一部いちぶ。
2. 物ものを製造せいぞうすること。
3. 土木どぼく建築けんちくにおける工事こうじ。
4. ある目的もくてきのために働はたらきかけること。