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March 24, 2026
制造(製造)zhìzào(zhi4zao4)
The verb 制造 (zhì zào) means to manufacture or make something, often referring to the production of goods in a factory setting. It can also be used more broadly to indicate the creation of ideas or situations. Common contexts include industrial production, crafting, and even metaphorical uses in creating concepts or relationships.
Frequency#1682DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In modern China, the term 制造 is closely associated with the country's rapid industrialization and manufacturing prowess, particularly in electronics and textiles. The phrase '中国制造' (zhōngguó zhìzào) meaning 'Made in China' is well-known globally.
Memory Tip
Think of 制造 as 'zhì' (to govern) and 'zào' (to create), where you govern the process of creation. Imagine a factory where workers are governed by rules to create products, reinforcing the idea of structured manufacturing.
Meanings of 制造
zhìzào(zhi4zao4)
1to manufacture
2to make
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About 制造
制造Simplified
製造Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1682Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 制造
Podcast: 制造
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AI Study Notes for 制造
Quick Contrast
加工 (jiāgōng) - use 制造 for the broader sense of manufacturing goods, while 加工 specifically refers to processing or refining materials.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 制造 as 'zhì' (to govern) and 'zào' (to create), where you govern the process of creation. Imagine a factory where workers are governed by rules to create products, reinforcing the idea of structured manufacturing.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context in which you use 制造, as it is more formal and specific to production. A common mistake is to confuse it with 创造 (chuàng zào), which means to create in a more abstract or artistic sense. Pairing it with nouns like 产品 (chǎnpǐn, product) or 工厂 (gōngchǎng, factory) is common.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 5 word, 制造 connects with other production-related vocabulary, like 生产 (shēngchǎn, to produce) and 制 (zhì, to govern). Focus on the nuances between these terms and practice using them in sentences about manufacturing processes.
Cultural Note
In modern China, the term 制造 is closely associated with the country's rapid industrialization and manufacturing prowess, particularly in electronics and textiles. The phrase '中国制造' (zhōngguó zhìzào) meaning 'Made in China' is well-known globally.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 制造 with 创造 (chuàng zào), using it in contexts that require a more creative implication. For example, saying '我制造了一首歌' (I manufactured a song) is incorrect; use '我创造了一首歌' instead.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 制造
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Grammar Patterns of 制造
制造 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
suǒ yǒu de chuán zhī dū jiāng zài chéng běn jiā lì rùn de jī chǔ shàng zhì zào。
All vessels were to be built on a cost-plus basis.
Cultural Notes for 制造
🏮Cultural insight
In modern China, the term 制造 is closely associated with the country's rapid industrialization and manufacturing prowess, particularly in electronics and textiles. The phrase '中国制造' (zhōngguó zhìzào) meaning 'Made in China' is well-known globally.
Frequently Asked Questions about 制造
制造 focuses more on the act of manufacturing products, while 生产 can refer to broader production processes, including agricultural or creative outputs.
Yes, but it's more common to use 开发 (kāifā) for software development, as 制造 is typically used for physical goods.
It's primarily used in formal contexts, especially in business or industrial discussions.
