1.
product, produce
Something produced from a particular region or industry. Agricultural, marine, or mineral products of a given area.
この地方の特産物はみかんだ。
The specialty product of this region is mandarin oranges.
海の産物を使った料理が有名だ。
Dishes using products of the sea are famous here.
北海道は農産物や乳製品の一大産地だ。
Hokkaido is a major production area for agricultural products and dairy.
2.
result, outcome, product (of circumstances)
Something that emerges as a consequence of a particular era, environment, or set of conditions. Used figuratively.
これは時代の産物だ。
This is a product of the times.
その成功は努力の産物だ。
That success is the product of hard work.
インターネットは技術革新の産物であり、社会を大きく変えた。
The internet is a product of technological innovation and has dramatically changed society.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is concrete (physical products), while sense 2 is abstract (result of circumstances). The figurative use in sense 2 is very common in essays, journalism, and formal discussion. The pattern ~の産物 (a product of ~) is the standard construction.
COMMON COMPOUNDS:
- 特産物: specialty product, local specialty
- 農産物: agricultural product
- 海産物: marine product, seafood
- 副産物: by-product
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 時代の産物: product of the times
- 努力の産物: product of effort
- ~の産物: a product of ~