1.
new construction; newly built structure or vessel
Refers to the building of something new, especially ships, buildings, or other large structures. Most commonly used in the context of shipbuilding to mean a newly constructed ship.
2.
new bride; young wife
An older usage referring to a newly married woman or young wife. This sense is now archaic or dialectal but appears in classical literature and historical texts.
Primarily used in modern Japanese to refer to the construction of new ships, buildings, or large structures. The word carries a sense of building from scratch rather than renovating or modifying.
Common collocations
- 新造船: newly built ship
- 船の新造: construction of a new ship
- 新造費: construction cost (for new build)
- 新造車両: newly manufactured rolling stock
Similar words
- 新築: new construction (specifically buildings and houses)
- 建造: construction (used for ships and large structures, emphasizes the building process)
- 造船: shipbuilding (the industry or activity in general)
Etymology
In Edo-period usage, 新造 referred to a young woman, especially a newly married wife or a young woman working in the pleasure quarters. This sense survives in historical fiction and period dramas but is not used in modern everyday speech.