How to say "write" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 書くかくgodan verb, transitive verbThe all-purpose verb for writing — letters, reports, notes, anything put down in writing — and by extension composing text; when you are unsure which word to use, choose this one.
- 書き下ろすかきおろすgodan verb, transitive verbWriting a brand-new work such as a novel, play, or song, especially one produced specially for a particular purpose or occasion; it stresses original creation, not everyday writing.
- 著すあらわすgodan verb, transitive verbWriting in the sense of authoring a book or other substantial work, with an overtone of publishing it; it is not the verb for letters, emails, or everyday writing.
- 詠むよむgodan verb, transitive verbReally the verb for composing a Japanese poem; its 'write' sense lives only in that poetic world, so it is seldom the word you want for writing in general.
- 綴るつづるgodan verb, transitive verbTo write with a literary, heartfelt nuance, as if piecing words together — typical of letters, diaries, and poems; it also has the sense of framing words into a piece of writing.
Use 「書く」 as the all-purpose verb for writing; choose 「書き下ろす」 for a brand-new work made specially for a purpose, 「著す」 for authoring books, 「詠む」 for Japanese poems, and 「綴る」 for personal, literary pieces.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 書くかくto write
- 書き下ろすかきおろすto write (a new novel, play, song, etc.)
- 著すあらわすto write
- 詠むよむto compose (a Japanese poem)
- したためるto write (e.g. a letter)
- 書き送るかきおくるto write (to someone)
- 撰するせんするto write (prose, etc.)
- 書き綴るかきつづるto put into writing
- 申し送るもうしおくるto send word (to)
- 申し越すもうしこすto send word (to)
- 筆を執るふでをとるto pen
- 物するものするto compose
- 綴るつづるto write
- 吟ずるぎんずるto write (a poem)
- 吟じるぎんじるto write (a poem)
- 勒するろくするto carve
- 書き込むかきこむto write (data)
- 書き出すかきだすto export
- 作るつくるto draw up (a document)
See also
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