How to say "cartoon" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 漫画まんがnounCovers cartoon in the sense of comics and comic strips: humorous or story drawings in picture form. This is the word for talking about comics and manga in general.
- 下絵したえnounNot a funny drawing: it means a rough sketch or design prepared before the finished work. English 'cartoon' in the artist's sense matches it, but for comics it is not the word you want.
- 戯画ぎがnounA cartoon in the satirical sense: a caricature that exaggerates or mocks its subject. Suits satirical or editorial contexts rather than ordinary comics.
Use 漫画 for cartoons in the everyday sense of comics and comic strips, 下絵 for the artist's preparatory sketch or design, and 戯画 for satirical cartoons that caricature or mock their subject.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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