作: the kanji for make and work
作 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means make, work. Below are its readings, 14 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
作 is written in 7 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
作 has 3 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 14 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
サク (saku)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 作品さくひん · sakuhin | work (of art) |
| 作文さくぶん · sakubun | essay; composition |
| 作成さくせい · sakusei | creating (a document) |
| 作家さっか · sakka | writer |
| 作者さくしゃ · sakusha | author |
| 名作めいさく · meisaku | masterpiece |
| 製作せいさく · seisaku | production |
| 新作しんさく · shinsaku | new work |
サ (sa)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 作業さぎょう · sagyō | work; task |
| 動作どうさ · dōsa | movement; operation |
| 操作そうさ · sōsa | operation (of a machine) |
| 作用さよう · sayō | effect; action |
つくる (tsukuru)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 作るつくる · tsukuru | to make |
| 作り方つくりかた · tsukurikata | how to make |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 見積書を作成しました。Mitsumorisho o sakusei shimashita.I prepared the estimate.
- 機械の操作を教えてください。Kikai no sōsa o oshiete kudasai.Please show me how to operate the machine.
- 週末に家で夕ご飯を作りました。Shūmatsu ni ie de yūgohan o tsukurimashita.I made dinner at home on the weekend.
- 作業は三時までに終わります。Sagyō wa sanji made ni owarimasu.The work will be done by three.
- この作家の作品が好きです。Kono sakka no sakuhin ga suki desu.I like this writer's work.
- カレーの作り方を習いました。Karē no tsukurikata o naraimashita.I learned how to make curry.
Questions about 作
How many strokes does 作 have?
作 is written in 7 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 作?
The on readings are saku (サク), sa (サ). The kun readings are tsukuru (つくる).
What is the difference between 作る and 作成する?
作る (tsukuru) is the everyday verb to make. 作成する (sakusei suru) is used for documents and data at work, as in 資料を作成する (to prepare materials).
What JLPT level is 作?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Work and money
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 作
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.