1.
crafting, handicraft, construction
Making things by hand, especially as a school activity or hobby. Also refers to engineering or construction work in technical contexts.
子どもが工作をしている。
The children are doing crafts.
夏休みの宿題で工作を作った。
I made a craft project for summer vacation homework.
図工の時間に牛乳パックで工作をするのが楽しかった。
It was fun making crafts from milk cartons during arts and crafts class.
2.
maneuvering, scheming, manipulation
Covert or strategic activities to influence outcomes, especially in political or organizational settings.
裏で工作をしていた。
They were scheming behind the scenes.
選挙工作が問題になった。
Election manipulation became an issue.
政治的な工作によって、反対派の意見は封じられた。
Through political maneuvering, the opposition's views were suppressed.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is very common in elementary school contexts, where 工作 refers to arts-and-crafts activities. The school subject is called 図画工作 (art and crafts), often abbreviated to 図工. Sense 2 has a negative connotation, implying covert or underhanded activity.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 工作を作る: to make a craft
- 夏休みの工作: summer vacation craft project
- 政治工作: political maneuvering
- 選挙工作: election manipulation
- 裏工作: behind-the-scenes scheming
- スパイ工作: espionage activities