Diese Seite in deiner Sprache
English فارسی العربية Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
B1 noun #3,000 am häufigsten 5 Min. Lesezeit

加工

Processing, manufacturing; transforming raw materials into products.

kakou
At the A1 level, you can think of '加工' (kakō) as a word for 'changing' things like food or photos. Imagine you have a photo on your phone and you add a filter to make it look pretty—that is '加工'. In food, if you see '加工' on a label, it means the food is not fresh from the farm but has been changed in a factory, like sausages or cheese. It is a 'suru' verb, so you say 'kakō suru' to mean 'to process' or 'to edit.'
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the A2 level, you should recognize '加工' in everyday contexts. You might see '加工食品' (kakō shokuhin) which means 'processed foods' at the grocery store. You can also use it when talking about hobbies, like 'DIY' or crafts. For example, 'I processed this wood to make a shelf' (木を加工して棚を作りました). It is useful for describing how one thing becomes another through work. It is more technical than just 'making' (作る).
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the B1 level, '加工' becomes an essential term for discussing industry, technology, and media. You should understand that it refers to the transformation of raw materials into intermediate or finished goods. In business, '加工貿易' (processing trade) is a key term. In the digital world, '加工' is the standard term for retouching photos. You should be able to distinguish it from '製造' (manufacturing) and '修理' (repairing). It implies a specific method of treatment.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the B2 level, you can use '加工' in specialized fields. In engineering, you might talk about '精密加工' (precision machining) or '熱加工' (thermal processing). In law or economics, you might discuss the value added through '加工'. You should also be aware of the social nuances, such as the debate over '加工' in social media and how it affects body image. You can use phrases like '加工を施す' (to apply processing) to sound more professional.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the C1 level, you should master the nuances of '加工' in complex contexts. This includes its use in data science (data munging/processing), legal definitions of property rights (when processing creates a new owner), and high-end manufacturing. You should understand the difference between '加工' and '処理' in technical manuals. You can use the word metaphorically to describe how information is 'processed' or 'manipulated' by the media to influence public opinion.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
At the C2 level, '加工' is used with absolute precision across all domains. You are expected to understand its role in advanced material science, such as 'ナノ加工' (nano-processing). You can discuss the philosophical implications of '加工' in the age of AI and deepfakes. You should be able to read and write technical specifications involving complex processing sequences and understand the historical evolution of '加工' techniques in Japanese traditional crafts versus modern industry.
Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

加工 in 30 Sekunden

  • Kakō means processing or manufacturing materials into something else.
  • It is commonly used for food (processed meat) and digital media (photo filters).
  • As a verb, 'kakō suru' means to process, treat, or edit.
  • It differs from 'seizō' (manufacturing) by focusing on the transformation step.

The term 加工 (かこう - kakō) is a versatile Japanese noun and suru-verb that primarily translates to 'processing,' 'manufacturing,' or 'treatment.' At its core, it describes the act of taking a raw material or a base object and applying physical, chemical, or digital changes to enhance its value, utility, or appearance. Unlike 'manufacturing' (製造 - seizō), which often implies creating something from scratch, 加工 focuses on the transformation of existing materials.

Industrial Context
Refers to machining metal, treating wood, or refining chemicals into usable components.
Food Industry
Refers to processing raw ingredients into 'processed foods' (加工食品), such as turning meat into ham or milk into cheese.
Digital/Media Context
In modern slang, it refers to 'retouching' or 'filtering' photos and videos (e.g., making skin look smoother in a selfie).

この木材は特殊な加工が施されています。(This lumber has undergone special processing.)

The kanji components are 加 (ka), meaning 'add' or 'apply,' and 工 (kō), meaning 'work,' 'craft,' or 'construction.' Together, they literally mean 'applying work' to something. This semantic root allows the word to span across diverse fields from heavy industry to social media aesthetics.

写真を加工してSNSにアップする。(To edit/filter a photo and upload it to SNS.)

Material Science
The process of altering the physical properties of a substance, such as hardening steel.
Data Processing
Organizing or modifying raw data into a structured format for analysis.

金属を精密に加工する技術。(Technology for precision metal processing.)

原料を製品に加工する。(To process raw materials into products.)

このアプリを使えば、簡単に動画を加工できます。(Using this app, you can easily edit videos.)

Using 加工 correctly requires understanding its role as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it often appears in compound words like 加工品 (processed goods) or 加工業者 (processor/manufacturer). As a verb, it takes the form 加工する, meaning 'to process' or 'to treat.'

Grammar Pattern: [Material] を [Method] で加工する
Example: 鉄を熱で加工する (Process iron with heat).
Grammar Pattern: [Object] に加工を施す
Example: 表面に撥水加工を施す (Apply a water-repellent treatment to the surface).

In professional settings, you will often hear it used with specific modifiers. For instance, 精密加工 (seimitsu kakō) refers to precision machining, while 外部加工 (gaibu kakō) refers to outsourcing the processing stage of production. In the digital age, '加工' is the standard word for photo editing. If someone says 'その写真、加工してるでしょ？' (You filtered that photo, didn't you?), they are referring to the use of apps like Meitu or Instagram filters.

プラスチックを熱で自由に加工する。(Freely process plastic using heat.)

最新の技術でデータを加工し、グラフを作成した。(Processed the data with the latest technology and created a graph.)

You will encounter 加工 in several distinct environments. In a supermarket, it is ubiquitous on labels. 加工乳 (processed milk) and 加工肉 (processed meat) are common terms. In a factory or workshop, it is the primary word for any physical alteration of materials. Workers might discuss the '加工工程' (processing stage) or '加工精度' (processing precision).

In the creative industry, photographers and videographers use it to describe post-production. A client might ask, 'もう少し自然な感じに加工できますか？' (Can you edit it to look a bit more natural?). Furthermore, in economic news, you will hear about '加工貿易' (processing trade), which is a significant part of Japan's economic history—importing raw materials, processing them, and exporting the finished goods.

この工場では、主にアルミの加工を行っています。(This factory mainly performs aluminum processing.)

News/Economics
Discussion on the '加工貿易' (processing trade) model.
Beauty/Fashion
Discussions about '加工アプリ' (editing apps) and their impact on self-image.

One common mistake for learners is confusing 加工 with 製造 (seizō). While both relate to making things, 製造 is the entire process of manufacturing a product from start to finish. 加工 is a specific step or method applied to a material. For example, you 'manufacture' (製造) a car, but you 'process' (加工) the steel used for the car's body.

Another error is using 加工 when you mean 修理 (shūri) (repair). If a chair is broken and you fix it, that is 修理. If you take a plain chair and carve designs into it or paint it, that is 加工. Additionally, in the context of food, don't use 加工 to mean 'cooking' (料理) in a domestic sense. You wouldn't say 'I processed dinner' unless you are working in a food processing plant.

❌ 壊れた時計を加工した。
✅ 壊れた時計を修理した。(Fixed the broken watch.)

Several words share semantic space with 加工, but their nuances differ:

処理 (Shori)
Means 'processing' or 'handling,' but is more abstract. Used for data processing (データ処理) or waste disposal (廃棄物処理). It doesn't imply physical crafting as much as 加工 does.
編集 (Henshū)
Means 'editing.' Used for books, magazines, and movies. While digital '加工' and '編集' overlap, 編集 implies a broader scope of arranging and selecting content, whereas 加工 focuses on the specific alteration of an image or clip.
製作 (Seisaku)
Means 'production' or 'creation,' usually of artistic works or films. It focuses on the creative output rather than the technical processing of materials.
細工 (Saiku)
Refers to delicate handiwork or craftsmanship, often with a nuance of trickery or clever manipulation (e.g., 隠し細工 - hidden trick).

大量のデータを処理する。(Process a large amount of data.)

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Informell

""

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Registriere dich kostenlos für die vollständige Erklärung

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

この写真は加工していますか？

Is this photo edited?

Noun + しています (Present continuous)

2

野菜を加工してスープを作ります。

I process vegetables to make soup.

Verb て-form for sequence

3

加工食品はあまり食べません。

I don't eat processed foods much.

Compound noun: 加工食品

4

このアプリで写真を加工します。

I edit photos with this app.

Particle で indicating means/tool

5

肉を加工してハムにします。

We process meat into ham.

Noun にします (Change into)

6

きれいな加工ですね。

That's a nice edit (on the photo).

Noun + ですね

7

これは加工された木です。

This is processed wood.

Passive form: 加工された

8

だれが加工しましたか？

Who processed/edited this?

Interrogative + が

1

この工場では魚を加工しています。

This factory processes fish.

Location + では

2

材料を自由に加工できます。

You can process the materials freely.

Potential form: できます

3

加工する前に洗ってください。

Please wash it before processing.

Dictionary form + 前に

4

これは手作業で加工されました。

This was processed by hand.

Passive + 手作業で

5

もっと自然に加工したいです。

I want to edit it more naturally.

Adverbial form: 自然に

6

加工の仕方を教えてください。

Please teach me how to process/edit it.

Stem + 仕方 (How to)

7

このお菓子は加工が少ないです。

This snack has little processing.

Noun + が少ない

8

プラスチックを加工して、おもちゃを作ります。

We process plastic to make toys.

Verb て-form for purpose

1

原料を製品に加工する工程を見学した。

I observed the process of transforming raw materials into products.

Noun + に + 加工する

2

この肉は保存のために加工されている。

This meat is processed for preservation.

Noun + のために (Purpose)

3

最近のスマホは、自動で写真を加工してくれる。

Recent smartphones automatically edit photos for you.

～てくれる (Benefactive)

4

鉄を薄く加工するのは難しい技術だ。

Processing iron into thin sheets is a difficult technique.

Nominalizer のは

5

加工貿易は日本の経済を支えてきた。

Processing trade has supported Japan's economy.

～てきた (Continuation from past)

6

この素材は加工しやすいのが特徴です。

A characteristic of this material is that it's easy to process.

Stem + しやすい (Easy to)

7

データを加工して、分かりやすい表にした。

I processed the data and made it into an easy-to-understand table.

Resultative にした

8

過度な写真の加工は、時に誤解を招く。

Excessive photo editing sometimes causes misunderstandings.

Subject marker は

1

金属の精密加工には、高度な技術が要求される。

High-level technology is required for precision metal processing.

Passive: 要求される

2

この食品には、一切の加工が施されていない。

No processing whatsoever has been applied to this food.

～が施されている (Processing is applied)

3

情報を加工して、自分に都合の良いように伝える。

To manipulate (process) information and convey it in a way that is convenient for oneself.

～ように (In order to/In a way that)

4

レーザー加工機を使って、複雑な模様を彫る。

Use a laser processing machine to engrave complex patterns.

Using ～を使って

5

この会社は、半導体の受託加工を行っている。

This company performs contract processing of semiconductors.

Formal verb: 行っている

6

加工の段階で、不純物が混入した可能性がある。

There is a possibility that impurities were mixed in during the processing stage.

～可能性がある (Possibility that)

7

伝統的な技法で、漆を加工して器を作る。

Process lacquer using traditional techniques to make bowls.

Means/Method + で

8

デジタル加工によって、古い映画が鮮明に蘇った。

Through digital processing, old movies have been vividly restored.

～によって (Due to/By means of)

1

知的財産権の観点から、データの二次加工が制限されている。

From the perspective of intellectual property rights, secondary processing of data is restricted.

～の観点から (From the viewpoint of)

2

その彫刻家は、石の質感を活かした加工を追求している。

The sculptor pursues processing that makes the most of the stone's texture.

～を活かした (Making use of)

3

高度な熱処理加工を施すことで、鋼鉄の硬度を高める。

By applying advanced heat treatment processing, the hardness of the steel is increased.

～ことで (By doing so)

4

メディアによる情報の加工が、世論の形成に多大な影響を及ぼす。

The processing of information by the media exerts a huge influence on the formation of public opinion.

～に影響を及ぼす (Exert influence on)

5

この契約書では、加工賃の算出方法が詳細に規定されている。

In this contract, the method for calculating processing fees is stipulated in detail.

Passive: 規定されている

6

ナノレベルの微細加工技術が、次世代のデバイス開発を可能にする。

Nano-level micro-processing technology enables the development of next-generation devices.

～を可能にする (Make possible)

7

素材の持ち味を損なわないような加工が、職人の腕の見せ所だ。

Processing that doesn't spoil the natural quality of the material is where a craftsman shows their skill.

～の見せ所 (The place to show off)

8

法的には、加工によって生じた所有権の帰属が問題となる場合がある。

Legally, the attribution of ownership resulting from processing can sometimes be an issue.

～の帰属 (Attribution of)

1

バイオテクノロジーを用いた遺伝子加工の倫理的是非が問われている。

The ethical pros and cons of gene processing using biotechnology are being questioned.

～の是非が問われる (Pros and cons are questioned)

2

超精密加工の極致とも言える、摩擦のない表面を実現した。

We achieved a frictionless surface, which could be called the pinnacle of ultra-precision machining.

～の極致とも言える (Can be called the pinnacle of)

3

統計データの恣意的な加工は、科学的誠実さを著しく欠く行為である。

Arbitrary processing of statistical data is an act that significantly lacks scientific integrity.

～を欠く行為 (An act lacking...)

4

素材の物理的性質を根本から変容させる、革新的な加工プロセスを導入する。

Introduce an innovative processing process that fundamentally transforms the physical properties of the material.

～を変容させる (Cause to transform)

5

ポスト真実の時代において、画像の加工と真実の境界は曖昧になりつつある。

In the post-truth era, the boundary between image processing and truth is becoming blurred.

～つつある (In the process of)

6

伝統工芸における『加工』は、単なる作業ではなく、素材との対話である。

In traditional crafts, 'processing' is not mere labor, but a dialogue with the material.

～ではなく、～である (Not A, but B)

7

資源の有効活用を目指し、廃棄物を再加工して新たな価値を創出する。

Aiming for effective use of resources, we re-process waste to create new value.

～を目指し (Aiming for)

8

複雑なサプライチェーンの中で、加工工程の透明性を確保することが急務だ。

Ensuring the transparency of processing stages within a complex supply chain is an urgent task.

～ことが急務だ (Is an urgent task)

Häufige Kollokationen

加工食品 (Processed food)
精密加工 (Precision processing)
画像加工 (Image editing)
加工貿易 (Processing trade)
熱加工 (Thermal processing)
委託加工 (Contract processing)
加工賃 (Processing fee)
二次加工 (Secondary processing)
表面加工 (Surface treatment)
レーザー加工 (Laser processing)

Häufige Phrasen

加工を施す (To apply processing)

加工を加える (To add processing/changes)

加工が難しい (Difficult to process)

加工の跡 (Traces of processing)

無加工の写真 (Unedited photo)

高度な加工 (Advanced processing)

特殊な加工 (Special processing)

加工に適した (Suitable for processing)

加工技術を磨く (To polish processing skills)

加工工程を見直す (To review the processing stage)

Wird oft verwechselt mit

加工 vs 製造 (Seizō)

Manufacturing the whole product vs. processing a part/material.

加工 vs 修理 (Shūri)

Fixing something broken vs. changing the state of a material.

加工 vs 料理 (Ryōri)

Domestic cooking vs. industrial/chemical food processing.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Leicht verwechselbar

加工 vs

加工 vs

加工 vs

Satzmuster

Wortfamilie

Verwandt

Registriere dich kostenlos, um alle Beispiele zu sehen

So verwendest du es

Food

Refers to additives, preservation, and industrial prep.

Digital

Refers to filters, retouching, and manipulation.

Industry

Refers to machining, cutting, and treating materials.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using '加工' instead of '修理' for fixing broken items.
  • Using '加工' for writing/editing a text document.
  • Confusing '加工' (processing) with '過去' (past) due to similar pronunciation.
  • Using '加工' for general cooking at home.
  • Assuming '加工' always means 'digital editing' and forgetting its industrial roots.

Tipps

Compound Words

Learn '加工食品' and '画像加工' first as they are the most common.

Verb Usage

Remember it's a suru-verb. 'Kakō suru' is very common in manuals.

Hashtags

Look for #無加工 on Instagram to see how the word is used in real life.

Trade Terms

If you work in trade, '加工貿易' is a vital term to know.

Long Vowel

Don't forget the long 'o' at the end. It's 'ka-ko-u'.

Kanji Logic

Focus on '工' (work). It appears in many words related to making things.

Vs. Manufacturing

Think of 'processing' as a middle step between raw material and final product.

Reading Labels

Check Japanese food labels for '加工' to identify processed ingredients.

Technique

Use it to describe how an artist treats their medium (e.g., 'metal processing').

Selfies

Use '加工' when talking about using beauty filters on photos.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Kultureller Kontext

The term 'Mori' (exaggeration/styling) in photo editing is a subset of 'Kakō'.

The concept of 'Monozukuri' (craftsmanship) relies heavily on superior processing techniques.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"最近の画像加工アプリ、すごいですよね？ (Recent photo editing apps are amazing, aren't they?)"

"加工食品を避けるようにしていますか？ (Do you try to avoid processed foods?)"

"この素材、どうやって加工したんですか？ (How did you process this material?)"

"無加工の写真の方が好きですか？ (Do you prefer unedited photos?)"

"日本の加工技術についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about Japanese processing technology?)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

今日食べた加工食品をリストアップしてみよう。 (List the processed foods you ate today.)

SNSで写真を加工することについて、自分の意見を書いてください。 (Write your opinion on editing photos for SNS.)

もし自分が職人なら、どんな素材を加工したいですか？ (If you were a craftsman, what material would you want to process?)

「加工」と「自然」のバランスについて考えてみよう。 (Think about the balance between 'processed' and 'natural'.)

最近学んだ新しい加工技術（デジタル・物理問わず）はありますか？ (Are there any new processing techniques you've learned recently?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, processing can include simple things like cutting or freezing, though it often implies additives in a health context.

Usually, '編集' (editing) or '作成' (creating) is better for text. '加工' is for data or media.

It means 'no filter' or 'raw/natural,' commonly used as a hashtag on social media.

It is a standard word used in both formal business/industrial settings and casual conversation.

'加工' usually involves creating something physical or visual, while '処理' is more about handling or disposing.

Not usually. 'セット' or 'アレンジ' is used for hair.

Yes, it refers to the legal change of ownership when someone processes another's material into a new item.

You can say '加工しすぎ' (kakō shisugi).

It is the labor cost or fee specifically for the processing part of a job.

It is sometimes used derogatorily or jokingly in slang, but '整形' (seikei) is the correct term.

Registriere dich kostenlos für Tipps & Notizen

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Registriere dich kostenlos zum Üben

Verwandte Inhalte

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!