造作

• Reading: ぞうさ
• Romaji: zousa
• Kanji breakdown: 造 (zō) — make, construct; 作 (sa) — work, creation
• Pronunciation: /zoː.sa/

Meaning

Trouble; fuss; facial features; furnishings. A versatile noun covering effort, appearance, and built-in fixtures.

A noun with several related meanings. In the phrase 造作もない (no trouble at all; easy), it means effort or fuss. As 造作 alone, it also refers to facial features (顔の造作) or built-in fixtures in a room (造作家具 — bespoke built-in furniture). Context determines which meaning applies. The 'no trouble' sense is most common in N1-level literary or formal usage.

Examples

1. そのくらいのことは造作もなく片付けてしまう人物だった。 He was someone who would deal with something of that level without any trouble at all.
2. 彼女の顔の造作は整っているが、表情に乏しく近寄りがたい印象を与える。 Her facial features are well-arranged, but she gives an unapproachable impression due to her lack of expression.
3. リノベーションでは造作家具を多用し、空間を最大限に活用した。 The renovation made extensive use of bespoke built-in furniture to make the most of the space.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, architecture, appearance, literature

Tone: varied

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 造 (zō) means to make or construct, 作 (sa) means work or creation. The meaning of 'trouble or fuss' developed from the idea of laborious construction.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Universal