How to say "sculpture" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 彫刻ちょうこくnoun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbSculpture as an art or craft: the general term covering carving and engraving, and sculptural works as a category. It is the natural choice for talking about studying, creating, or exhibiting sculpture.
- 彫像ちょうぞうnounA carved statue — a specific three-dimensional figure — rather than sculpture as an art form. For the general sense of 'sculpture', 彫刻 is usually the word you want; 彫像 suits references to an actual statue.
Use 彫刻 for sculpture as an art or craft — carving and engraving generally, or sculptural works as a category — and 彫像 for a carved statue, a specific figure rather than the art itself.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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