1. Meaning and Usage
The core meaning of the kanji 作 is "to make," "to create," "to produce," or "to cultivate." It is one of the most fundamental and versatile kanji, used for all kinds of creation, from physical objects to abstract works like art and literature.
Common Readings and Words:
さく (saku): The Sino-Japanese reading used in compound words.
作品 (sakuhin): A work (of art), a production. (作-make + 品-item)
作家 (sakka): Author, artist, creator. (作-make + 家-house/household)
作業 (sagyō): Work, operation, task. (作-make + 業-work)
作成 (sakusei): Preparation, drafting, drawing up (e.g., a document). (作-make + 成-complete)
つく (tsuku): The native Japanese reading used in verbs.
作る (tsukuru): The basic verb "to make," "to create," "to produce."
作り方 (tsukurikata): How to make, recipe.
2. Correct Stroke Order
Writing 作 correctly is straightforward and follows fundamental principles. The kanji is composed of the left radical イ (ninben - person) and the right component 乍 (saku).
Total Strokes: 7
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
Left Radical: イ (Ninben - Person)
Stroke 1: The short left-falling stroke (撇).
Stroke 2: The vertical stroke (竖), starting slightly below the first stroke.
Right Component: 乍 (Saku)
Stroke 3: The short left-falling stroke (撇) from the top.
Stroke 4: The vertical stroke (竖) from top to bottom.
Stroke 5: The short horizontal stroke (横) at the top.
Stroke 6: The second short horizontal stroke (横) below the first.
Stroke 7: The long horizontal stroke (横) at the bottom.
Key Stroke Order Rules Applied:
Left to Right: The entire left radical イ is written before the right component 乍.
Top to Bottom: This rule governs the order within the 乍 component.
3. Historical Origins and Etymology (The "Story" Behind the Kanji)
The history of 作 is a clear example of an ideographic compound (会意文字 kaii moji), where the original meaning is vividly clear from its components.
Let's break down its two parts:
イ (Ninben): This is the "person" radical. It indicates that the action is performed by a human.
乍 (Saku): This is the key component. In its ancient form, 乍 was a pictograph of a "wooden ruler" or a "carpenter's square" (a tool for measuring and marking right angles).
The Combined Meaning:
The character 作 creates a powerful and intuitive image:
"A person (イ) using a carpenter's square (乍) to make something."
This is the essence of creation. It doesn't just mean any kind of making; it implies skillful, measured, and deliberate creation. The carpenter's square represents:
Craftsmanship: The act requires skill and precision.
Measurement and Planning: The creation is not random; it is planned and executed according to a design.
Construction: The act of building or assembling something tangible.
From this very concrete origin in woodworking and tool-making, the meaning expanded to include all forms of creation, both physical (作る tsukuru - to make food, an object) and abstract (作品 sakuhin - a work of art, 作曲 sakkyoku - to compose music).
4. Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing the different uses of 作.
As a Verb "To Make" (つくる):
Romaji: Haha ga yūshoku o tsukutte imasu.
English: My mother is making dinner.
母が夕食を作っています。
As "Work of Art" (さく):
Romaji: Kore wa kanojo no saikō no sakuhin desu.
English: This is her best work (of art).
これは彼女の最高の作品です。
As "Author" (さく):
Romaji: Ano sakka no shōsetsu wa zenbu omoshiroi.
English: All of that author's novels are interesting.
あの作家の小説は全部面白い。
Summary
Meaning: To make, to create, to produce, to cultivate.
Writing: 7 strokes. Write the left "person" radical イ first, then the right "carpenter's square" component 乍.
Origin: An ideographic compound. It depicts a person (イ) using a carpenter's square (乍), representing skillful, deliberate, and measured creation. This powerful image of human craftsmanship is the foundation for all its modern meanings related to making and creating.