Last updated: June 29, 2026

January 2023 (VOL.183)
Tsukuru つくる
Tsukuru means “to make” or “to create”
In Japanese, tsukuru is written 作る, a JLPT N5 verb. This tsukuru conjugation guide covers all 13 forms, from “tsukuranai” to “tsukurimashita.”

Sora
Ke-ki wo tsukutta koto ga arimasu ka?
Have you ever made (bake) a cake?
Kotone
Hai. Arimasu.
Yes, I have.
Kyonen ookina ke-ki wo tsukuri masita.
I made a big cake last year.
Sora
Hontou desuka?
Really?
Tanjoubi ke-ki wo tsukuru yotei desu.
I’m going to make a birthday cake.
Tetsudatte kureru?
Can you help me?
Kotone
Iiyo! Watashi mo ke-ki wo tsukuritai!
Yeah, I want to make cakes, too!
Sora
Arigatou!
Thank you!

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| to make | to make (Polite) | made | made (Polite) | is making | was making | can make | want to make | let’s make | have made (Present Progressive) | had made (Past Progressive) | make it! | please make | |
| Positive | tsukuru | tsukuri masu | tsukutta | tsukuri mashita | tsukutte iru | tsukutte ita | tsukureru | tsukuritai | tsukurou | tsukutta koto ga aru | tsukutta koto ga atta | tsukure! | tsukutte kudasai |
| Negative | tsukuranai | tsukuri masen | tsukuranakatta | tsukurimasen deshita | tsukutte inai | tsukutte inakatta | tsukurenai | tsukuritakunai | – | tsukutta koto ga nai | tsukutta koto ga nakatta | tsukuruna! | tsukuranaide kudasai |

Origami de tsuru wo tsukuri masu
I make a crane with origami.

Onigiri wo tsukutte iru
He’s making rice balls.

Watashi wa inu no
ie wo tsukurenai
I can’t make dog house.

Ken wa gohan wo tsukutta koto ganakatta ga kyou
hajimete tsukutta.
I had never made a meal,
but I made for the first
time today.

Yorugohan wo mada tsukutte inai.
I have not made dinner yet.

Kukki~ wo tsukuro~!
Let’s make cookies!

Kotoshi wa Osechi
ryori wo tsukuri masen.
I don’t make Osechi
New Year meal this year.

Isoide tsukure!
Make it quickly!

Make it quickly! tsukutta koto ga nai.
I have never made a robot.
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