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B1 adjective #3,500 le plus courant 9 min de lecture

人工的

jinkouteki Top 3,500

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces 人工的 en 30 secondes

Explication 人工的 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'Jinkōteki' means 'not natural.' Imagine a toy or a robot. These are made by people. In Japanese, we say they are 'Jinkōteki.' You might not use this word often in your first few weeks of Japanese, but you will see the first part, 'Jin' (Person), and 'Kō' (Work). Think of it as 'Person-Work.' If you see a park with a river that looks too straight, it might be 'Jinkōteki.' At this level, just remember: People made it = Jinkōteki. It is the opposite of 'Shizen' (Nature). You will mostly use it to describe things like 'artificial light' or 'artificial grass' (turf). It is a 'na-adjective,' so you say 'Jinkōteki na' before a thing, like 'Jinkōteki na hana' (artificial flower).

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'Jinkōteki' to describe more specific things you see in daily life. For example, when you go to a supermarket, you might see 'Jinkō-kanmiryō' (artificial sweeteners) or 'Jinkō-chakushokuryō' (artificial colors) on food labels. You are learning to describe the world around you, and distinguishing between 'natural' and 'man-made' is a useful skill. You can use it in simple sentences like 'Kono ike wa jinkōteki desu' (This pond is artificial). You should also notice that 'Jinkō' (Artificial) is often used as a prefix for nouns, like 'Jinkō-eisei' (Artificial satellite) or 'Jinkō-chinō' (AI). This level is about recognizing the word in common compound words and using it to give basic descriptions of objects.

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At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'Jinkōteki' in both technical and descriptive contexts. You understand that it's a 'na-adjective' and can use it as an adverb by adding 'ni' (e.g., 'Jinkōteki ni tsukuru' - to make artificially). You also begin to understand the nuance: while it is a neutral word in science, it can sometimes have a negative feeling in food or beauty contexts, implying that something is 'fake' or 'chemical.' You can participate in discussions about the environment or technology using this word. For example, you might discuss the pros and cons of 'artificial islands' or 'artificial intelligence.' You should also be able to distinguish 'Jinkōteki' from 'Fushizen' (unnatural/weird) and 'Nisemono' (fake/forgery).

At the B2 level, you use 'Jinkōteki' to express more complex opinions. You can discuss abstract concepts like 'artificial beauty' vs. 'natural beauty' or the 'artificiality' of modern urban life. You are aware of how the word is used in news reports and academic articles. You can use it to describe sophisticated systems, like 'artificial ecosystems' or 'artificial market manipulation.' You also start to use it in more literary or metaphorical ways, such as describing a city's 'artificial glow' at night. Your grammar with this word should be perfect, correctly using 'na' and 'ni' and understanding how it fits into complex sentence structures. You also know that 'Jinkō' can be a noun on its own, meaning 'human labor' or 'artificiality' depending on the context.

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At the C1 level, you understand the deep philosophical and cultural implications of 'Jinkōteki.' You can discuss the boundary between humanity and nature, and how 'artificiality' is perceived in Japanese aesthetics (like the concept of 'mitate' or the design of Japanese gardens which are highly artificial yet look natural). You can read scientific papers that use 'Jinkōteki' to describe complex synthetic processes or genetic engineering. You are also sensitive to the register of the word; you know when to use 'Jinkōteki' versus more specialized terms like 'Gōsei' (synthetic) or 'Kyokō' (fictitious/fabricated). You can use the word to critique social structures, such as 'artificial social hierarchies' or 'artificially created demand' in economics.

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At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of 'Jinkōteki.' You can use it with precision in any context, from high-level scientific discourse to nuanced literary criticism. You understand its historical etymology and how the concept of 'artificial' has evolved in Japanese thought. You can engage in debates about the ethics of 'artificial life' (Jinkō seimei) or the 'artificiality' of language itself. You are able to detect subtle sarcasm or irony when a speaker uses 'Jinkōteki' to describe something that should be natural. You can also effortlessly switch between 'Jinkōteki' and its many synonyms and antonyms to achieve the exact tone you want, whether you are writing a technical manual, a political speech, or a piece of creative fiction.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

人工的 en 30 secondes

Jinkōteki means 'artificial' or 'man-made.' It is used for anything created by human effort, from AI to artificial sweeteners and man-made islands.
As a na-adjective, use 'na' before nouns (人工的な) and 'ni' for adverbs (人工的に). It is the direct opposite of 'natural' (自然な).
While often neutral in science, it can imply 'fake' or 'unnatural' in food, beauty, or art contexts. Avoid using it for 'insincere' people.
Commonly found in news (satellites, AI) and on food labels (colors, flavors). It is a key word for discussing modern technology and environments.

The Japanese word 人工的 (じんこうてき - Jinkōteki) is a versatile 'na-adjective' that translates to 'artificial' or 'man-made.' At its core, it describes anything that does not occur spontaneously in the natural world but is instead the result of human labor, ingenuity, or technology. This word is constructed from three kanji: 人 (Jin - Person), 工 (Kō - Work/Craft), and 的 (Teki - Suffix indicating 'like' or 'nature of'). Together, they literally mean 'having the nature of human work.'

Technological Context: In the modern era, you will most frequently encounter this word in discussions regarding technology and science. For instance, 人工知能 (Jinkō Chinō) refers to Artificial Intelligence. When scientists create a new material in a lab, such as a synthetic diamond or a specific polymer, they describe the process as 人工的な生成 (Jinkōteki na seisei). It implies a high level of control and precision that nature alone does not provide.
Environmental Context: When talking about the landscape, 人工的 is used to distinguish between wild nature and human-designed environments. An 人工島 (Jinkō-tō) is a man-made island, like those in Tokyo Bay. Similarly, a park might be described as having an 人工的な川 (Jinkōteki na kawa)—an artificial stream—to contrast it with a natural river that formed over thousands of years through geological processes.
Sensory and Aesthetic Context: In the culinary and artistic worlds, 人工的 often carries a slightly negative or critical nuance, suggesting something is 'unnatural' or 'fake.' If a piece of candy has a very strong, chemical strawberry flavor, a Japanese person might say it has an 人工的な味 (Jinkōteki na aji). In art, if a painting looks too staged or lacks organic flow, it might be criticized for being 人工的すぎる (too artificial).

この湖は、実は人工的に作られたものなんです。
This lake was actually created artificially.

Understanding the scope of 人工的 requires recognizing the Japanese cultural appreciation for the 'natural' (自然 - Shizen). Because there is a deep cultural value placed on things that are ari-no-mama (as they are), using the word 人工的 can sometimes imply a loss of purity or a forced intervention. However, in professional settings—architecture, engineering, and medicine—it is a neutral, technical term used to define the origin of a product or structure.

都会の夜景は、人工的な光の海のように見えた。
The city nightscape looked like a sea of artificial light.

In summary, use 人工的 when you want to emphasize that something is a product of human effort. Whether you are discussing the wonders of modern medicine (artificial organs) or the downsides of processed food (artificial sweeteners), this word provides the necessary linguistic bridge to describe the human footprint on the world.

Since 人工的 (Jinkōteki) is a na-adjective, its grammatical behavior is predictable but requires attention to the particles that follow it. Depending on whether you are modifying a noun, describing a state, or explaining how an action was performed, the word changes its ending slightly.

Modifying a Noun (Adding 'na'): When 人工的 directly precedes a noun, you must add な (na). For example: 人工的な甘味料 (Jinkōteki na kanmiryō) meaning 'artificial sweetener.' This is the most common way to use the word. It defines the quality of the noun that follows.
Using it as an Adverb (Adding 'ni'): If you want to describe how something was done (artificially), you replace な with に (ni). For example: 人工的に雨を降らせる (Jinkōteki ni ame o furaseru) meaning 'to make it rain artificially' (cloud seeding). This usage is vital for scientific and technical explanations.
Ending a Sentence (Adding 'da' or 'desu'): To say 'It is artificial,' you use the copula. それは人工的だ (Sore wa jinkōteki da) in casual speech, or それは人工的です (Sore wa jinkōteki desu) in polite speech. You can also use 人工的ではない (jinkōteki de wa nai) for 'It is not artificial.'

この香水は、あまりにも人工的な匂いがする。
This perfume smells far too artificial.

In formal writing, such as academic papers or news reports, 人工的 is often paired with verbs of creation like 作成する (sakseisuru - to create), 構築する (kōchikusuru - to construct), or 合成する (gōseisuru - to synthesize). When you see these combinations, the focus is usually on the achievement of human technology over natural limitations.

科学者たちは、ラボで人工的に細胞を培養した。
Scientists cultured cells artificially in the lab.

Finally, consider the contrastive use. Japanese speakers often set 人工的 against 自然 (shizen - natural) or 天然 (tennen - natural/wild). For example, 人工的な美しさ (artificial beauty) vs 自然な美しさ (natural beauty). This contrast is a powerful way to express your opinion on aesthetics or environmental issues.

You will encounter 人工的 (Jinkōteki) in a wide variety of real-world scenarios in Japan, ranging from the supermarket aisles to the evening news. Understanding these contexts will help you grasp the 'vibe' of the word beyond its dictionary definition.

In the Supermarket and Food Industry: Health-conscious consumers in Japan often look for labels saying 'No artificial colors' (人工着色料不使用 - Jinkō chakushokuryō fushiyō). If you are watching a cooking show and the host tries a brightly colored snack, they might comment on the 人工的な色味 (artificial coloring) of the food. In this context, it usually implies that the food is processed and perhaps not the healthiest choice.
In News and Science Documentaries: Whenever there is a breakthrough in technology, 人工的 is front and center. You'll hear about 人工衛星 (Jinkō eisei - artificial satellites), 人工心臓 (Jinkō shinzō - artificial hearts), and 人工肉 (Jinkō niku - cultured/artificial meat). In these cases, the word is prestigious, signifying the advancement of the human race and our ability to solve problems through engineering.
In Urban Planning and Tourism: Japan is famous for its massive engineering projects. When visiting places like Odaiba in Tokyo or Port Island in Kobe, you are standing on 人工の土地 (artificial land). Tour guides might explain that the beach you are visiting is an 人工ビーチ (artificial beach), where the sand was brought in from elsewhere to create a recreational space in the city.

この公園の滝は、ポンプで水を汲み上げている人工的なものです。
The waterfall in this park is an artificial one that pumps up water.

In the realm of social media and photography, you might hear people discuss 人工的なライティング (artificial lighting). Photographers use this to distinguish between 'golden hour' natural light and the controlled lights used in a studio. Similarly, in the beauty industry, 人工的な二重 (artificial double eyelids) might be discussed in the context of cosmetic procedures or makeup tapes.

最近の映画は、人工的なCGに頼りすぎている気がする。
I feel like recent movies rely too much on artificial CGI.

Whether you are reading a scientific journal or a food label, 人工的 is the key word for identifying human intervention. It spans the gap between the marvels of engineering and the critiques of modern, synthetic life.

While 人工的 (Jinkōteki) is straightforward in many ways, English speakers often trip up by applying it to contexts where a different Japanese word would be more natural. Because 'artificial' in English has a very broad range of meanings, it's easy to over-apply 人工的.

Confusing 'Artificial' with 'Fake' (Nise): In English, we might say 'artificial flowers' or 'fake flowers.' In Japanese, while 人工的な花 is technically understandable, people almost always use 造花 (Zōka). Similarly, for a 'fake' brand-name bag, you would never use 人工的; you must use 偽物 (Nisemono). Use 人工的 for the *nature* of the creation, not necessarily to denote a forgery.
Using it for Human Personalities: If you want to say someone is 'artificial' (meaning they are phony or insincere), 人工的 sounds very strange. It makes the person sound like a robot or a cyborg. Instead, use 不自然な (fushizen na - unnatural) or 気取った (kidotta - affected/stuck-up). 人工的 is almost exclusively for things, systems, or environments.
Forgetting the 'Na' or 'Ni': As a na-adjective, it cannot just sit next to a noun like 'artificial sweetener' (artificial kanmiryō). You must include the na: 人工的な甘味料. Beginners often omit this, leading to broken-sounding Japanese. Likewise, when describing an action, don't forget the ni: 人工的に作る.

❌ 彼女の笑顔は人工的だ。
✅ 彼女の笑顔は不自然だ。
Her smile is unnatural (not 'artificial' in the robotic sense).

Another mistake is using 人工的 when you mean 'technical' or 'mechanical.' For those, use 技術的 (gijutsuteki) or 機械的 (kikaiteki). While these fields are related to human work, they describe different qualities. 人工的 is specifically about the *source* of the thing being non-natural.

❌ この作業は人工的だ。
✅ この作業は手作業だ。
This task is manual (hand-work), not 'artificial.'

By keeping these distinctions in mind, you will avoid the 'uncanny valley' of Japanese speech—where your grammar is correct, but your word choice feels slightly robotic and, ironically, 人工的.

To truly master 人工的 (Jinkōteki), you need to know the words that surround it in the semantic field of 'creation' and 'nature.' Depending on the context, one of these alternatives might be more precise.

人工的 (Jinkōteki) vs. 不自然 (Fushizen): 人工的 focuses on the *origin* (human-made). 不自然 focuses on the *feeling* or *appearance* (unnatural). You can have something that is 人工的 but looks very 自然 (like a well-designed garden). Conversely, something natural can look 不自然 if it's strange or deformed.
人工的 (Jinkōteki) vs. 合成 (Gōsei): 合成 means 'synthetic' or 'composite.' While 人工的 is a general adjective, 合成 is often used as a noun or a verb (合成する) in chemistry and digital media. For example, 合成洗剤 (Gōsei senzai) is synthetic detergent. Use 合成 when referring to the chemical process of combining elements.
人工的 (Jinkōteki) vs. 造られた (Tsukurareta): 造られた is the passive form of 'to make' (造る). It is more common in casual conversation. Instead of saying 'This is an artificial lake,' a person might simply say 「造られた池」 (a made/constructed pond). 人工的 sounds more formal and scientific.

その写真は人工的な加工がされている。
That photo has undergone artificial processing (editing).

Finally, consider 人造 (Jinzō). This is an older, more 'sci-fi' sounding version of 人工. You see it in 人造人間 (Jinzō Ningen - Android/Homunculus). While 人工 is the standard word for 'artificial' today, 人造 still appears in specific compound words and fiction.

この素材は、人工的なものではなく、天然のものです。
This material is not artificial; it is natural.

By understanding these nuances, you can choose the word that fits your specific situation. Use 人工的 when you want to be clear about human intervention, 不自然 when something just feels 'off,' and 合成 when you're talking about the science behind it.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The kanji '工' (Kō) represents a carpenter's square, symbolizing construction and skill. The suffix '的' (teki) was originally used for 'target' but became the standard way to turn nouns into adjectives during the 19th century.

Guide de prononciation

UK /dʒɪŋ.koʊ.te.ki/

US /dʒɪŋ.koʊ.te.ki/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. For 'Jinkōteki,' the pitch starts low on 'Ji,' rises on 'n,' stays high through 'kō,' and drops on 'teki.'

Rime avec

Kandōteki (Moving/Emotional) Gōriteki (Rational) Hiteiteki (Negative) Kōteiteki (Positive) Sentōteki (Aggressive) Dōteki (Dynamic) Seiteki (Static) Kikōteki (Climatic)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing 'Jin' like 'Jean' (it should be short 'i').
Shortening the 'ō' in 'Kō' (it must be a long vowel).
Stressing the 'teki' like English '-tic' in 'artistic.'
Pronouncing 'te' as 'tay' (it should be 'teh').
Merging 'n' and 'k' into a single 'ng' sound too strongly.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The kanji are common, but 'teki' suffixes are introduced at the intermediate level.

Écriture 4/5

Writing '工' is easy, but '的' and '人' in combination requires remembering the specific na-adjective usage.

Expression orale 2/5

Pronunciation is straightforward, though pitch accent on long vowels can be tricky.

Écoute 3/5

Must distinguish from 'Jinkō' (population) which sounds the same.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

人 (Person) 作る (To make) 自然 (Nature) 科学 (Science) 的 (Suffix)

Apprends ensuite

技術 (Technology) 合成 (Synthesis) 仮想 (Virtual) 構築 (Construction) 不自然 (Unnatural)

Avancé

作為的 (Deliberate/Manipulated) 捏造 (Fabrication) 人造 (Man-made/Android) 模倣 (Imitation)

Grammaire à connaître

Na-Adjective Modification

人工的な + Noun (e.g., 人工的な色)

Adverbial form with 'ni'

人工的に + Verb (e.g., 人工的に作る)

The suffix '~teki'

Turns nouns into adjectives (e.g., 科学 -> 科学的)

Excess with '~sugiru'

人工的すぎる (Too artificial)

Contradiction with '~ari nagara'

人工的でありながら自然 (Artificial yet natural)

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Exemples par niveau

これは人工的な花です。

This is an artificial flower.

Uses 'na' to connect the adjective to the noun 'hana' (flower).

その公園には人工的な池があります。

There is an artificial pond in that park.

A1 learners should recognize 'ike' (pond) and 'arimasu' (there is).

人工的な光は明るいです。

Artificial light is bright.

Focus on 'hikari' (light) as the noun.

この芝生は人工的です。

This grass is artificial.

Sentence ends with 'desu,' showing the state of the subject.

人工知能はすごいです。

Artificial intelligence is amazing.

Uses the compound 'Jinkō Chinō' (AI).

人工的な味がします。

It tastes artificial.

'Aji ga shimasu' means 'to have a taste/flavor.'

彼は人工的な心臓を持っています。

He has an artificial heart.

Simple possession sentence with 'motte imasu.'

空には人工衛星が見えます。

You can see an artificial satellite in the sky.

Uses 'Jinkō eisei' as a single noun.

人工的な甘味料は体に良くないと言われています。

It is said that artificial sweeteners are not good for the body.

Uses 'to iwarete imasu' (it is said that...).

この島は人工的に作られました。

This island was made artificially.

Uses the adverbial form 'ni' with the passive verb 'tsukuraremashita.'

最近の野菜は人工的な環境で育ちます。

Recently, vegetables are grown in artificial environments.

Focus on the noun 'kankyō' (environment).

人工的な香りは少し苦手です。

I'm a bit bad with artificial scents.

'Nigate' expresses a personal dislike or weakness.

科学者は人工的なダイヤモンドを作りました。

Scientists made an artificial diamond.

A2 level past tense 'tsukurimashita.'

この色は人工的すぎて、不自然です。

This color is too artificial and unnatural.

Uses '~sugite' (too much) to show excess.

人工的な雪でスキーを楽しみました。

We enjoyed skiing on artificial snow.

Uses 'de' to indicate the means/material.

人工的な美しさは、いつか飽きます。

You'll eventually get tired of artificial beauty.

'Akiru' (to get tired of) is a useful A2/B1 verb.

都会では人工的な音に囲まれて生活しています。

In the city, we live surrounded by artificial sounds.

Uses 'kakomarete' (being surrounded) passive form.

この素材は人工的に合成されたものです。

This material is something that was synthetically produced.

Combines 'ni' (adverb) with 'gōsei sareta' (synthesized).

人工的な知能が人間の仕事を奪うかもしれません。

Artificial intelligence might take away human jobs.

Uses 'kamoshirenai' to express possibility.

彼女の態度は、どこか人工的に感じられた。

Her attitude felt somewhat artificial.

'Kanjirareru' (to be felt) indicates an impression.

人工的な光の下では、色が違って見えます。

Under artificial light, colors look different.

Uses 'shita de' (under/beneath).

ダムによって人工的な湖が誕生した。

An artificial lake was born because of the dam.

'Ni yotte' indicates the cause or means.

人工的な着色料を避ける人が増えています。

The number of people avoiding artificial coloring is increasing.

'~te iru hito ga fuete iru' (people doing X are increasing).

この映画の背景はすべて人工的に作られたCGだ。

The background of this movie is all artificially created CGI.

Explains the nature of the CGI using 'ni'.

現代社会は、人工的なシステムに依存しすぎている。

Modern society relies too much on artificial systems.

'Izon suru' (to depend on) is a formal B2 verb.

人工的な美を追求するあまり、健康を損なう人もいる。

Some people damage their health by pursuing artificial beauty too much.

'~amari' (so much that...) expresses an extreme result.

そのニュースは、人工的に作り出されたブームだった。

That news was an artificially manufactured fad.

'Tsukuridasareta' (manufactured/created) suggests intent.

砂漠に人工的な都市を建設する計画が進んでいる。

Plans to build an artificial city in the desert are progressing.

Focus on 'kensetsu' (construction) and 'keikaku' (plan).

人工的な操作によって、市場価格が変動した。

Market prices fluctuated due to artificial manipulation.

'Sōsa' (manipulation/operation) is used here in a financial sense.

科学の力で人工的な生命を誕生させることは可能か。

Is it possible to give birth to artificial life through the power of science?

A philosophical question using 'kanō ka' (is it possible?).

この文章は、人工的な翻訳の跡が見受けられる。

Traces of artificial translation can be seen in this text.

'Miukerareru' (can be seen/observed) is a formal expression.

人工的な静寂が、その部屋には漂っていた。

An artificial silence hung in the room.

Metaphorical use of 'seijaku' (silence) and 'tadayotte ita' (drifted).

ポストモダンの建築は、人工的な造形美を極めている。

Postmodern architecture reaches the height of artificial formal beauty.

'Kiwamete iru' means to have reached the ultimate state.

遺伝子組み換え技術は、人工的な進化の一環と言える。

Genetic modification technology can be called a part of artificial evolution.

'Ikkan' (a part of a whole) is a sophisticated noun.

その庭園は、人工的でありながら自然との調和を保っている。

That garden, while artificial, maintains harmony with nature.

'~ari nagara' (while being...) expresses a contradiction.

人工的な言語であるエスペラントは、理想を掲げて作られた。

Esperanto, an artificial language, was created with high ideals.

'Kakageru' (to hold up/espouse) is a high-level verb.

不況を打破するために、人工的な需要を喚起する必要がある。

To overcome the recession, it is necessary to stimulate artificial demand.

'Kanki suru' (to stimulate/arouse) is used in economic contexts.

彼の理論は、あまりにも人工的な仮定に基づいている。

His theory is based on far too artificial assumptions.

'Katei' (assumption/hypothesis) and 'motozuite iru' (based on).

人工的な知能が意識を持つという議論は、絶えることがない。

The debate about artificial intelligence possessing consciousness is never-ending.

'Taeru koto ga nai' means 'never ceases/ends.'

都市の景観は、人工的な記号の集積体である。

The cityscape is an accumulation of artificial symbols.

'Shūsekitai' (accumulation/aggregate) is a very formal academic term.

人類の歴史は、自然を人工的な秩序へと再編するプロセスであった。

Human history has been a process of reorganizing nature into an artificial order.

'Saihen' (reorganization) and 'chitsujo' (order).

シュルレアリスムの作品には、人工的な悪夢が描かれている。

Surrealist works depict artificial nightmares.

Uses 'akumu' (nightmare) in a sophisticated artistic critique.

人工的な環境下でのみ生存可能な種を創出することは、倫理的か。

Is it ethical to create species that can only survive in artificial environments?

'~ka' at the end of a long sentence for philosophical inquiry.

その政策は、人工的な格差を固定化させる懸念がある。

There is a concern that the policy will solidify artificial disparities.

'Koteika' (solidification/fixation) and 'ken'en' (concern).

仮想空間における人工的な身体性は、現実の定義を揺るがす。

Artificial embodiment in virtual spaces shakes the definition of reality.

'Shintaisei' (embodiment) and 'yurugasu' (to shake/unsettle).

芸術とは、自然に対する人工的な反逆であるという見方もある。

There is a view that art is an artificial rebellion against nature.

'Hangyaku' (rebellion) used in an abstract philosophical context.

人工的な均衡を保つために、膨大なエネルギーが費やされている。

A massive amount of energy is being spent to maintain an artificial equilibrium.

'Kinkō' (equilibrium/balance) and 'tsuiyasarete iru' (being spent).

情報の洪水は、人工的な忘却を我々に強いているのかもしれない。

The flood of information might be forcing an artificial forgetting upon us.

'Bōkyaku' (forgetting) and 'shiite iru' (forcing/compelling).

Collocations courantes

人工知能

人工甘味料

人工衛星

人工呼吸

人工島

人工芝

人工着色料

人工光

人工心臓

人工降雨

Phrases Courantes

人工的に作る

— To make something artificially. Used for lab work or construction.

このダイヤモンドは人工的に作られた。

人工的な美しさ

— Artificial beauty. Often refers to plastic surgery or heavily edited photos.

彼女は人工的な美しさを持っている。

人工的な環境

— An artificial environment. Used for space stations or indoor farms.

宇宙飛行士は人工的な環境で過ごす。

人工的な味

— An artificial taste. Usually a negative comment about processed food.

このジュースは人工的な味がする。

人工的な光

— Artificial light. Distinguishes from sunlight or moonlight.

夜道は人工的な光で照らされている。

人工的な操作

— Artificial manipulation. Used in politics or economics.

市場には人工的な操作が入っている。

人工的な静寂

— Artificial silence. Used for soundproof rooms.

スタジオは人工的な静寂に包まれた。

人工的な構造物

— Artificial structures. A formal way to say 'buildings' or 'dams.'

山の中に巨大な人工的な構造物がある。

人工的な雨

— Artificial rain. Refers to cloud seeding technology.

干ばつ対策で人工的な雨を降らせる。

人工的なリズム

— Artificial rhythm. Used in music or describing a lifestyle.

都会の生活は人工的なリズムで動いている。

Souvent confondu avec

人工的 vs 人口 (Jinkō)

Homophone meaning 'population.' Distinguished by context (numbers vs. nature).

人工的 vs 工作 (Kōsaku)

Means 'handicraft' or 'maneuvering.' Related kanji but different usage.

人工的 vs 人為的 (Jin'iteki)

Means 'caused by human action' (often errors or accidents). Jinkōteki is more about the creation itself.

Expressions idiomatiques

"人工の極み"

— The height of artificiality. Something so perfectly made it's almost scary.

その庭園は人工の極みと言える美しさだ。

Literary

"人工に成る"

— To be made by human hands (rather than nature).

この名勝は、実は人工に成るものである。

Formal

"人工の妙"

— The exquisite skill of human craftsmanship.

精密機械に人工の妙を感じる。

Formal

"人工を加える"

— To apply human processing or 'touch' to something natural.

素材の良さを活かし、極力人工を加えない。

Neutral

"人工を弄する"

— To use artificial tricks or manipulation (often negative).

人工を弄して結果を操作してはいけない。

Literary

"人工の産物"

— A product of human effort/work.

この文明はすべて人工の産物だ。

Neutral

"人工に勝る"

— To surpass natural creation through human skill.

天然の宝石に勝る人工の輝き。

Neutral

"人工を尽くす"

— To exhaust all human means/efforts.

人工を尽くして治療にあたった。

Formal

"人工の庭"

— A metaphor for a controlled, safe environment.

彼は人工の庭で守られて育った。

Literary

"人工の火"

— A poetic way to refer to electric lights or lamps.

人工の火が夜の闇を裂く。

Poetic

Facile à confondre

人工的 vs 不自然 (Fushizen)

Both can mean 'unnatural.'

Jinkōteki refers to the *source* (man-made). Fushizen refers to the *feeling* (weird/awkward). A man-made island is Jinkōteki, but it might look natural. A natural tree that grew in a weird shape is Fushizen, but not Jinkōteki.

彼の笑い方は不自然だ (His way of laughing is unnatural).

人工的 vs 偽物 (Nisemono)

Both can mean 'not real.'

Nisemono is a 'fake' or 'counterfeit' intended to deceive. Jinkōteki is 'artificial' as a technical classification. An artificial diamond is Jinkōteki (and real diamond material); a glass stone sold as a diamond is a Nisemono.

これは本物のダイヤではなく、偽物だ。

人工的 vs 人造 (Jinzō)

Both mean 'man-made.'

Jinzō is older and sounds like science fiction or industrial manufacturing. Jinkōteki is the modern, standard adjective for 'artificial.'

人造人間 (Cyborg/Android).

人工的 vs 合成 (Gōsei)

Both used for lab-made things.

Gōsei specifically means 'synthesized' from components. Jinkōteki is a broader term for anything not natural.

合成写真 (A composite/synthesized photo).

人工的 vs 作為的 (Sakuiteki)

Both involve human intent.

Sakuiteki implies something was done 'on purpose' to manipulate a result, often sneakily. Jinkōteki is just about being man-made.

作為的なデータ操作 (Intentional data manipulation).

Structures de phrases

これは [人工的な] [Noun] です。

これは人工的な花です。

[Noun] は [人工的に] [Verb-Passive]。

この池は人工的に作られました。

[Noun] は [人工的] だが、[Adjective] です。

この光は人工的だが、とても明るいです。

[Noun] には [人工的な] [Noun] が含まれている。

この食品には人工的な甘味料が含まれている。

[Noun] は [人工的] であると同時に [Adjective] でもある。

その建築は人工的であると同時に芸術的でもある。

[Noun] の [人工的] な側面を考察する。

現代都市の人工的な側面を考察する。

[Noun] が [人工的] な [Noun] を規定する。

技術が人工的な身体性を規定する。

[Noun] は [人工的] の極致と言える。

その庭園は人工的の極致と言える。

Famille de mots

Noms

人工 (Jinkō - Artificiality/Human work)

人工物 (Jinkōbutsu - Artifact/Man-made object)

人口 (Jinkō - Population *Homophone*)

工作 (Kōsaku - Handicraft/Work)

Verbes

人工化する (Jinkōka suru - To artificialize)

工出する (Kōshutsu suru - To devise/contrive)

Adjectifs

人工的な (Jinkōteki na - Artificial)

工芸的な (Kōgeiteki na - Craft-like)

Apparenté

技術 (Gijutsu - Technology)

科学 (Kagaku - Science)

合成 (Gōsei - Synthesis)

自然 (Shizen - Nature)

天然 (Tennen - Natural)

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

High in scientific and news contexts; medium in daily conversation.

Erreurs courantes

Using Jinkōteki for an insincere smile. → Fushizen na egao (Unnatural smile) or Tsukuri-warai.
Jinkōteki sounds like the person is literally a machine. Use fushizen for human behavior.
Saying 'Jinkōteki kanchi' for artificial sweetener. → Jinkōteki na kanmiryō.
Missing the 'na' particle which is required for na-adjectives.
Using Jinkōteki for a fake designer bag. → Nisemono no baggu.
Jinkōteki refers to origin, not the intent to deceive (counterfeit).
Confusing Jinkō (Artificial) with Jinkō (Population). → Contextual distinction.
They sound identical. Look for clues like 'numbers' vs 'science.'
Using Jinkōteki for 'handmade' items. → Tezukuri.
While handmade is man-made, Jinkōteki usually implies technological or chemical processes.

Astuces

Don't forget the 'na'

Since it's a na-adjective, you must use 'na' before a noun. 'Jinkōteki hana' is wrong; 'Jinkōteki na hana' is correct.

Science vs. Daily Life

In science, use 'Jinkōteki' or 'Gōsei.' In daily life, if something just feels 'fake,' 'Fushizen' (unnatural) is often better.

Food Labels

Look for '人工' on food labels. '人工着色料' means artificial colors. It's a great way to practice reading the kanji!

Urban Geography

Use it when talking about Japan's cities. Much of Tokyo is built on 'Jinkō-tō' (artificial islands).

Man-made vs. Fake

Remember: 'Jinkōteki' = Man-made. 'Nisemono' = Fake/Forgery. Don't mix them up!

Polite Criticism

If you don't like a flavor, saying 'Jinkōteki na aji ga suru' is a common way to express it without being too blunt.

Kanji Breakdown

Person (人) + Work (工) + Target (的). It's a very logical word to remember.

Homophone Alert

Watch out for 'Jinkō' (population). If the sentence is about 'increasing' or 'decreasing' (fueru/heru), it's likely population.

Essay Writing

When writing about AI, 'Jinkō Chinō' is the formal term. Use it to sound more academic.

The Robot Mnemonic

Think of a robot. Everything about it is Jinkōteki (Artificial).

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Imagine a 'Person' (人) doing 'Construction' (工) on a 'Target' (的). If a person builds it towards a target, it is Jinkōteki (Artificial).

Association visuelle

Picture a bright neon-green plastic plant sitting in a dark forest. The plant is 'Jinkōteki' because it clearly doesn't belong to the natural woods.

Word Web

AI (Artificial Intelligence) Satellite (Artificial Satellite) Sweetener (Artificial Sweetener) Island (Man-made Island) Light (Artificial Light) Snow (Artificial Snow) Heart (Artificial Heart) Grass (Artificial Turf)

Défi

Try to find three things in your room right now that are 'Jinkōteki' and three things that are 'Shizen' (Natural). Say 'Kore wa jinkōteki desu' for the man-made items.

Origine du mot

Formed by combining 'Jinkō' (人工) and the suffix 'teki' (的). 'Jinkō' itself has been used since ancient times to mean 'human work' as opposed to 'heaven's work' (nature).

Sens originel : Work done by humans; the power of man.

Sino-Japanese (Kango). The characters were originally Chinese but the specific combination for 'artificial' as a modern adjective solidified in the Meiji era during westernization.

Contexte culturel

Avoid using Jinkōteki to describe people's personalities or bodies (like plastic surgery) in polite conversation, as it can sound dehumanizing. Use 'fushizen' (unnatural) instead.

In English, 'artificial' often has a negative connotation of being 'fake' or 'insincere.' In Japanese, 'Jinkōteki' is more frequently a neutral technical term.

Astro Boy (Tetsuwan Atomu) - An 'artificial' human (Jinzō Ningen). Odaiba - Tokyo's famous 'artificial' island (Jinkō-tō). SoftBank's Pepper - A famous 'artificial intelligence' (Jinkō Chinō) robot.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Food and Health

人工甘味料
人工着色料
人工的な味
人工保存料

Science and Technology

人工知能 (AI)
人工衛星
人工心臓
人工的に合成する

Environment and Geography

人工島
人工的な川
人工林
人工ビーチ

Aesthetics and Art

人工的な美しさ
人工的な光
人工的な造形
人工的なCG

Urban Living

人工的な静寂
人工的な空間
人工的な光の海
人工的なリズム

Amorces de conversation

"人工知能（AI）についてどう思いますか？"

"人工甘味料が入った飲み物を気にしますか？"

"都会の人工的な景色と、田舎の自然、どちらが好きですか？"

"人工的に作られたダイヤモンドと天然のもの、違いがわかりますか？"

"最近の映画のCGは人工的すぎると感じますか？"

Sujets d'écriture

私たちの生活の中で、一番役に立っている人工的なものは何だと思いますか？

人工的な美しさと自然な美しさ、あなたにとっての定義を書いてください。

もし人工知能が人間と同じ感情を持ったら、どう接しますか？

あなたが最近食べたもので、一番『人工的な味』がしたものは何ですか？

100年後の世界は、今よりもっと人工的になっていると思いますか？

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Generally, no. If you call a person 'Jinkōteki,' it sounds like they are a robot or a cyborg. If you mean they are 'fake' or 'insincere,' use 'fushizen' (unnatural) or 'ura-omote ga aru' (two-faced). If you mean they have had plastic surgery, people sometimes use it in slang, but it is quite rude.

'Jinkō' (人工) is a noun meaning 'human work' or 'artificiality.' 'Jinkōteki' (人工的) is the adjective form. In many compound words like 'Jinkō Chinō' (AI), the noun form is used as a prefix.

Not at all. In science and technology, it's neutral or positive, representing human achievement (e.g., artificial satellites). It only tends to be negative in contexts where 'natural' is highly valued, like food or facial expressions.

It is 'Jinkō Chinō' (人工知能). You can also just say 'AI' (エーアイ), which is very common in Japan.

You can say 'Jinkōteki na hana,' but the most natural word is 'Zōka' (造花), which literally means 'constructed flower.'

The most common opposite is 'Shizen' (自然 - nature/natural). For materials, 'Tennen' (天然 - natural/wild) is also used.

Yes. 'Jinkōteki' means 'artificial/man-made' (like a product). 'Jin'iteki' (人為的) means 'caused by human action' (like a human error in a nuclear plant or a man-made disaster).

Add 'ni' after 'Jinkōteki.' For example: 'Jinkōteki ni ame o furaseru' (To artificially make it rain).

Yes, for 'artificial turf,' which is 'Jinkō-shiba' (人工芝).

Yes, 'Jinkōteki na hikari' (人工的な光) is the standard way to say this.

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