Meaning
製 means to manufacture, make, or produce — specifically through deliberate craft, industry, or skilled work. As a standalone kanji it describes the act of creating goods. As a suffix, it marks origin or material, telling you what something is made of or where it came from.
Structurally, 製 breaks into two parts: 制 (sei — to regulate, control, cut) on top, and 衣 (koromo — clothing, cloth) below. The original meaning likely referred to cutting cloth and sewing garments — one of the earliest forms of human manufacture. Over centuries, the meaning stretched to cover all crafting and industrial production.
This kanji belongs to Grade 5 of the Japanese elementary school curriculum, introduced around age 10–11. It takes 14 strokes, placing it among the more demanding kanji at this level. The radical 衣 (clothing) is a quiet reminder of where the kanji started — in a tailor's workshop, not a factory.
As a suffix, 製 attaches directly to nouns: 日本製 (made in Japan), 木製 (made of wood), 手製 (handmade). You will see this pattern constantly — on product labels, packaging, and shop signs.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
製 has one on'yomi reading: セイ (sei). It appears in virtually every compound containing this kanji. Note that セイ is also the reading for 制 (control) and 整 (arrange) — similar sounds, different meanings, worth keeping separate. In compounds, セイ implies something made through a deliberate process, not assembled by chance.
Examples using セイ:
- 製品 (seihin) — product, manufactured goods
- 製造 (seizou) — manufacturing, production
- 製作 (seisaku) — production, making (of films, art, etc.)
- 製薬 (seiyaku) — pharmaceuticals, drug manufacture
- 製図 (seizu) — technical drawing, drafting
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
製 has no kun'yomi. Native Japanese uses 作る (tsukuru) or 造る (tsukuru) when speaking about making things in everyday speech. In writing, 製 almost always appears in on'yomi compounds or as a suffix. With only one reading to memorize, it is more manageable than many kanji at this level.
Common Words & Compounds
All compounds below use セイ, grouped by how the kanji functions.
Production & Industry
- 製品 (seihin) — product, manufactured item
- 製造 (seizou) — manufacturing, industrial production
- 製作 (seisaku) — production (especially films, crafts, programs)
- 製鉄 (seitetsu) — ironmaking, steel production
- 製糖 (seitou) — sugar refining
- 製紙 (seishi) — papermaking
- 製本 (seihon) — bookbinding
Origin / Material Suffix (-製)
- 日本製 (nihon-sei) — made in Japan
- 木製 (mokusei) — made of wood
- 鉄製 (tetsusei) — made of iron/steel
- 手製 (tesei) — handmade
- 自家製 (jikasei) — homemade, house-made
- プラスチック製 (purasuchikku-sei) — made of plastic
Example Sentences
この製品は日本製です。
Kono seihin wa nihon-sei desu.
This product is made in Japan.
木製のテーブルはとても丈夫です。
Mokusei no tēburu wa totemo joubu desu.
The wooden table is very sturdy.
この工場では自動車を製造しています。
Kono koujou de wa jidousha wo seizou shite imasu.
This factory manufactures automobiles.
彼女は自家製のジャムを作りました。
Kanojo wa jikasei no jamu wo tsukurimashita.
She made homemade jam.
この映画の製作には3年かかりました。
Kono eiga no seisaku ni wa san-nen kakarimashita.
The production of this film took three years.
製薬会社が新しいワクチンを開発しました。
Seiyaku gaisha ga atarashii wakuchin wo kaihatsu shimashita.
A pharmaceutical company developed a new vaccine.
手製のクッキーをプレゼントにもらいました。
Tesei no kukkī wo purezento ni moraimashita.
I received handmade cookies as a gift.
鉄製のフライパンは長持ちします。
Tetsusei no furaipan wa nagamochi shimasu.
Iron frying pans last a long time.
この製品の製造過程は完全に自動化されています。
Kono seihin no seizou katei wa kanzen ni jidouka sarete imasu.
The manufacturing process of this product is fully automated.
Memory Tip
Picture a tailor at a workbench, blade in hand, cutting cloth with care. The top component 制 shows that controlled cut; 衣 below is the fabric being shaped. Together: cut cloth with skill — that is manufacture.
Now extend the image: the same hands cutting steel for a bridge, pulping wood into paper, binding pages into a book. That is the full range of 製. The suffix snaps into place the same way: 日本製 = crafted in Japan, 木製 = shaped from wood, 手製 = made by these hands.