国産

こくさん

domestic products

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"国産" (こくさん) refers to products that are produced within Japan. It is commonly used to emphasize that something is made domestically rather than imported. This term is often seen in contexts related to food, vehicles, electronics, and other manufactured goods.

Common Collocations

  • 国産車 (こくさんしゃ): domestic car; used to specify cars made in Japan.
  • 国産品 (こくさんひん): domestic products; general term for goods produced in Japan.
  • 国産野菜 (こくさんやさい): domestically grown vegetables; often used in markets or grocery stores.

Register and Nuance

The term "国産" is neutral and widely used in both formal and informal contexts. It often carries a positive nuance, implying higher quality or safety standards compared to imported goods.

Learner Tips

A common confusion is mixing "国産" with "国内" (こくない), which means "within the country" but is more general and not specifically about production. Remember, "国産" specifically highlights the origin of production or manufacture.

Example Sentences

このくるまはこくさんで、ひんしつがとてもよいです。

This car is domestically produced and has very good quality.

こくさんのやさいをかうようにしています。

I try to buy domestically grown vegetables.

こくさんひんはゆにゅうひんよりもかかくがたかいことがおおいです。

Domestic products are often more expensive than imported ones.