モノづくり

English translation: craftsmanship

19:41 May 29, 2003

Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Tech/Engineering

Japanese term or phrase: モノづくり

モノづくりへのこだわり。

Part of a manufacturer¥'s pamphlet.

What is the difference between モノづくりand　物作り？

KabaVan KudoZ activity Questions: 12 (2 open) Answers: 23
Local time: 22:43

English translation:craftsmanship

Explanation:
I wouldn't normally suggest this as a translation for モノづくり, but by combining it with こだわり it seems to me that the pamphlet is referring to attention to detail in the manufacturing process. So I'd suggest you use a word like "craftmanship". It would be a mistake to translate this sort of thing too literally, otherwise it won't sound very natural in English.

Maybe a native speaker can elaborate here, but I think モノづくりand 物作り both mean the same thing. Except perhaps モノづくり has a slightly more "abstract" feel to it.

Selected response from:

Philip Ronan
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:43

Grading comment

I think I'll go with craftsmanship, thanks.

Thanks also to everyone else who contributed.

3 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

3 +2

"mono zukuri"; manufacturing

jsl (X)

4 +1

craftsmanship

Philip Ronan

production/piecework

Hirohisa Oda

creation

Cronos731

Can't see the characters here!

Ryszard Matuszewski

Answers

15 mins confidence:

Can't see the characters here!

Explanation:
Could you please write also the pronunciation?

Ryszard Matuszewski
Local time: 07:43
Native speaker of:

Polish

21 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +2

"mono zukuri"; manufacturing

Explanation:
In some contexts, "mono zukuri" can be used as is, and, since this is not an English phrase, quoting ("xxx xxx") or italic faces will be required for emphasis. The translation of "mono zukuri" is manufacturing. If you see the first link, you may find many examples that translate this phrase as "manufacturing".

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Note added at 2003-05-29 20:35:44 (GMT)
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For the difference between ¥"モノづくり¥" and ¥"物作り¥", these are the completely different concepts. First of all, if we compare ¥"モノ¥" and ¥"物¥", the former has a softer, light impression than the latter does. In addition, ¥"物作り¥" only includes the production/creation of physical or concrete objects, or ¥"有形物¥", whereas ¥"モノづくり¥" further includes something intangible or unphysical, or ¥"無形物¥". In other words, the former is the hardware-like concert, and the latter is the software-like concept. So, ¥"モノづくり¥" can include contents, design, process, and whatever that is not directly related to manufacturing objects or materials. The following pages have much better explanations for the difference between the two:

http://www.englink21.com/i-eng/column2/clm036/clm001.html
http://www.biz.ryukoku.ac.jp/‾hitomi/rondan1.html
http://www.d-rata.co.jp/ratabook/opening.html
http://www.worldgooddesign.net/j/wgdnews/038/

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Note added at 2003-05-29 20:37:06 (GMT)
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A little correction:
... First of all, if we compare ¥"モノ¥" and ¥"物¥", the former has a softer, lighter impression than the latter does. ...

Reference: http://www.google.com/search?q=%22mono+zukuri%22

jsl (X)
Local time: 14:43
PRO pts in pair: 1098

29 mins confidence:

creation

Explanation:
"manufacturing" like daisuke said,is correct. but you can use this one also, depending on how you want your phrase to sound.

by the way, 物づくり and モノづくり are the same, i think...

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Note added at 2003-05-29 20:16:17 (GMT)
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gosh stupid enter key!! anyway, they¥'re just written in different kana and kanji. there are many japanese words that people use hiragana/katakana/kanji combined and mean the same thing nowadays (so the words look/sound cool?? i dunno...). sometimes the words that have the same sound can have different meanings, but for this one, they mean the exact same thing....unless sombody wants to oppose my opinion!

Cronos731
United States
Local time: 01:43
Native speaker of:

Japanese

40 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +1

craftsmanship

Philip Ronan
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:43
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in pair: 170

Grading comment

I think I'll go with craftsmanship, thanks.

Thanks also to everyone else who contributed.

41 mins confidence:

production/piecework

Explanation:
We are very particular about our production/piecework.

"Monozukuri" is used to describe items which are: good quality, useful, reliable, well-designed or carefully made, such as masterpieces.

Hirohisa Oda
Local time: 22:43
Native speaker of:

Japanese,

English
PRO pts in pair: 176

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