形作る・形づくる・形造る・容作る|かたちづくるkatachizukuru[5]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
形作る形作る is a kanji-and-kana spelling and the most common of these variants; learners should recognize it readily when reading.
形づくる形づくる is a kanji-and-kana spelling and the second most common variant; it is the form beginners are recommended to use.
形造る形造る is a kanji-and-kana spelling, but it is rarely used; treat it as a variant you may encounter rather than a form to choose.
容作る容作る is a kanji-and-kana spelling, but it is rarely used; treat it as a variant you may encounter rather than a form to choose.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto form; to shape; to make; to mold; to mould; to build up
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 形作る（かたちづくる） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 形作ります（かたちづくります） |
| Negative (nai) | 形作らない（かたちづくらない） |
| polite (masen) | 形作りません（かたちづくりません） |
| classical zu / nu | 形作らず・形作らぬ（かたちづくらず・かたちづくらぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 形作った（かたちづくった） |
| polite (mashita) | 形作りました（かたちづくりました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 形作らなかった（かたちづくらなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 形作りませんでした（かたちづくりませんでした） |
| Te form | 形作って（かたちづくって） |
| Potential | 形作れる（かたちづくれる） |
| Passive | 形作られる（かたちづくられる） |
| Causative | 形作らせる（かたちづくらせる） |
| Causative passive | 形作らせられる・形作らされる（かたちづくらせられる・かたちづくらされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 形作れば（かたちづくれば） |
| tara | 形作ったら（かたちづくったら） |
| Volitional | 形作ろう（かたちづくろう） |
| polite (mashou) | 形作りましょう（かたちづくりましょう） |
| Imperative | 形作れ（かたちづくれ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym作り出すつくりだすNeutralFor manufacturing or creating something new, as in 「新製品を作り出す」; unlike 「形作る」, it does not center on giving shape to a whole or to character.
- Synonym作るつくるNeutralThe most general verb for making or producing things; 「形作る」 leans written and focuses on shaping something into a particular form.
- Synonym作り上げるつくりあげるNeutralCompleting something fully, and also fabricating, as in 「話を作り上げる」; the focus is on getting things done, not on shaping form.
- Synonym形成けいせいWrittenWritten/formal prose for formation, as in 「人格形成」; the closest match to 「形作る」, but as a Sino-Japanese word it is more formal.
- Synonym成形せいけいWrittenWritten/formal prose for forming or molding shapes, mostly in industrial processing, as in 「射出成形」.
- Related生み出すうみだすNeutralCreating or producing something new, as in 「アイデアを生み出す」; stresses bringing things into being from nothing.
- Related創作そうさくWrittenWritten/formal prose for artistic or literary creation, as in 「創作料理」; stresses originality and is not used for forming shapes.
- Related製作せいさくWrittenWritten/formal prose for manufacturing goods with tools or producing films and shows; centers on concrete products.
- Related作成さくせいWrittenWritten/formal prose for drawing up documents and preparing materials, as in 「書類作成」; mostly for written matter.
- Related創造そうぞうWrittenWritten/formal prose for creation, as in 「天地創造」; stresses original creation out of nothing.
- Related作製さくせいWrittenWritten/formal prose for making physical objects or models with tools; about tangible items, so it differs from 「形作る」.
- Related造作ぞうさくWrittenWritten/formal prose for the interior finishing of a house, or for facial features; a special, narrow usage.
- Related工作こうさくNeutralHandicrafts and simple construction, and also behind-the-scenes maneuvering, as in 「裏工作」.
- Related生むうむNeutralGiving birth or laying eggs, and also producing results, as in 「誤解を生む」.
- Related組み立てるくみたてるNeutralAssembling parts, and also structuring sentences or essays; the focus is on putting pieces together.
- Related製造せいぞうWrittenWritten/formal prose for processing raw materials into products, as in 「製造業」; centers on industrial production.
- Related創出そうしゅつWrittenWritten/formal prose for creating something new, as in 「雇用の創出」.
- Related仕立てるしたてるNeutralTailoring clothes, and also training a person, or making someone out to be what they are not, as in 「犯人に仕立てる」; a special usage.
- Related制作せいさくWrittenWritten/formal prose for producing artworks, films and programs; centers on creative products.
- RelatedこしらえるCasualColloquial; making or preparing things, with a Kansai or old-fashioned flavor.
- RelatedクリエートCasualA loanword meaning create; sounds trendy but is rarely used.
- Related製するせいするWrittenWritten/formal prose for manufacturing, but very rare; normally say 「作る」.
For making things in general, use 「作る」. Use 「形作る」 for shaping something into a tangible form or for forming character, as in 「粘土で器を形作る」「人格を形作る」. In written or formal prose, 「形成」 is the standard choice.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
