Readings: セイ (Onyomi), (Kunyomi)
Meaning: manufacture, make, system, prepare
The kanji 製 (せい) is composed of two parts: 衣 (ころも – clothing/garment, radical) on the left, and a phonetic component on the right that originally depicted a cutting tool or scissors, indicating the action of cutting or shaping. Together, these elements convey the meaning of “making” or “manufacturing,” especially of textiles or clothing, and then extended to a broader sense of production.
View JLPT N1 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 製 has 15 strokes. Start with the radical 衣 on the left side, following its standard stroke order. Then, move to the right component, completing it with its various strokes from top to bottom and left to right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 衣 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 15 |
| JLPT Level | N1 |
| Grade | 5 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- セイ (sei)
Common Words Using 製
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 製品 | せいひん | product |
| 製造 | せいぞう | manufacture, production |
| 製作 | せいさく | production, creation |
| 日本製 | にほんせい | made in Japan |
| 製薬 | せいやく | drug manufacturing, pharmaceutical |
| 製本 | せいほん | bookbinding |
| 製図 | せいず | drafting, drawing plans |
| 製鉄 | せいてつ | iron manufacturing |
| 製菓 | せいか | confectionery making |
| 複製 | ふくせい | reproduction, duplication |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この日本製の商品は品質が高いです。
Kana: このにほんせいのしょうひんはひんしつがたかいです。
Romaji: Kono Nihonsei no shōhin wa hinshitsu ga takai desu.
English: This made-in-Japan product is of high quality.
Japanese: 新製品の製造が今日から始まりました。
Kana: しんせいひんのせいぞうがきょうからはじまりました。
Romaji: Shinseihin no seizō ga kyō kara hajimarimashita.
English: The manufacturing of new products started today.
Japanese: 彼は映画製作に情熱を注いでいます。
Kana: かれはえいらせいさくじょうねつそそ
Romaji: Kare wa eiga seisaku ni jōnetsu o sosoide imasu.
English: He pours his passion into film production.
Japanese: その会社は製薬業界のトップです。
Kana: そのかいしゃはせいやくぎょうかいのトップです。
Romaji: Sono kaisha wa seiyaku gyōkai no toppu desu.
English: That company is a leader in the pharmaceutical industry.
Japanese: 手製のクッキーはとても美味しかったです。
Kana: てせいのクッキーはとてもおいしかったです。
Romaji: Tesei no kukkī wa totemo oishikatta desu.
English: The handmade cookies were very delicious.
Japanese: 建築家は建物の詳細な製図を作成しました。
Kana: けんちくかはたてもののしょうさいなせいずをさくせいしました。
Romaji: Kenchikuka wa tatemono no shōsai na seizu o sakusei shimashita.
English: The architect created detailed blueprints of the building.
Japanese: このビールは自家製です。
Kana: このビールはじかせいです。
Romaji: Kono bīru wa jikasei desu.
English: This beer is homemade.
Japanese: 美術館には多くの複製画が展示されています。
Kana: びじゅつかんにはおおくのふくせいががてんじされています。
Romaji: Bijutsukan ni wa ooku no fukusei-ga ga tenji sarete imasu.
English: Many reproductions are displayed in the art museum.
Japanese: 日本は世界有数の製鉄技術を持っています。
Kana: にほんはせかいゆうすうのせいてつぎじゅつをもっています。
Romaji: Nihon wa sekai yūsuu no seitetsu gijutsu o motte imasu.
English: Japan possesses some of the world’s leading iron manufacturing technology.
Japanese: 彼女は製菓の専門学校で学んでいます。
Kana: かのじょはせいかのせんもんがっこうでまなんでいます。
Romaji: Kanojo wa seika no senmongakkō de manande imasu.
English: She is studying at a confectionery-making vocational school.
Related Grammar & kanji list
Expand your study with grammar and kanji lists for other JLPT levels:
I’m a software engineer based in Japan, with experience in developing web and mobile applications. I’m passionate about technology, especially in DevOps, AI, and app development using platforms like AWS, Flutter, and Node.js. My goal is to build a website that shares knowledge about the Japanese language and IT, helping everyone learn and grow more easily in the digital era.