から作る【からつくる】

The expression から作る is used to describe what material or ingredient something is made from, particularly when the original material has been transformed and is no longer easily recognizable in the final product.

The particle から here carries its core meaning of "from (a source/origin)," indicating the starting material of a production process.

から作る vs. で作る

A key distinction exists between から作る and で作る, both of which can translate to "made from/of" in English:

• から作る: The original material has been chemically or physically transformed and is not visually recognizable in the final product.

  とうふ豆腐はだいず大豆からつくる作る。

  Tofu is made from soybeans.

• で作る: The original material is still recognizable in the final product.

  このつくえ机はき木でつくった作った。

  This desk was made of wood.

Think of it this way: if you can look at the finished product and identify the material, use で. If the material has been transformed into something different, use から.

Passive form: から作られる

In practice, から作られる (the passive form) is very common, since the focus is often on the product rather than the maker.

Related expressions

When stating what something is made out of (material still visible), you can also use でできている.