描写・描寫|びょうしゃbyousha[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Which spelling to use
描写描写 is the most common form and the form beginners should normally use. It is written entirely in kanji.
描寫描寫 is a less common variant written with an outdated kanji; you may encounter it, but use 描写 when writing Japanese.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdepiction; description; portrayal
    その美うつくしさを言葉ことばでは描写びょうしゃできない。↗
    Words cannot describe the beauty.
Conjugation
Dictionary form描写する(びょうしゃする)
Polite (masu)描写します(びょうしゃします)
Negative (nai)描写しない(びょうしゃしない)
polite (masen)描写しません(びょうしゃしません)
classical zu / nu描写せず・描写せぬ(びょうしゃせず・びょうしゃせぬ)
Past (ta)描写した(びょうしゃした)
polite (mashita)描写しました(びょうしゃしました)
Past negative (nakatta)描写しなかった(びょうしゃしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)描写しませんでした(びょうしゃしませんでした)
Te form描写して(びょうしゃして)
Potential描写できる(びょうしゃできる)
Passive描写される(びょうしゃされる)
Causative描写させる(びょうしゃさせる)
Causative passive描写させられる(びょうしゃさせられる)
Conditional (ba)描写すれば(びょうしゃすれば)
tara描写したら(びょうしゃしたら)
Volitional描写しよう(びょうしゃしよう)
polite (mashou)描写しましょう(びょうしゃしましょう)
Imperative描写しろ(びょうしゃしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym描くえがくNeutralA verb covering drawing and painting, depicting in words, and picturing things in the mind; 「描写する」 stresses the technique of detailed portrayal.
  • Synonym描き出すえがきだすNeutralA verb for delineating or drawing something out; 「描写」 stresses the technique of fine, detailed portrayal.
  • Synonym描出びょうしゅつWrittenA written-style word for depicting or portraying; rare next to 「描写」, which is the usual choice, especially in literary works.
  • Related表現ひょうげんNeutralA broad word for expression in general; 「描写」 is narrower, focusing on concrete, detailed depiction.
  • Related映し出すうつしだすNeutralCovers projecting or reflecting images, and reflecting the times; 「描写」 stresses detailed portrayal of scenes and psychology.
  • Related表すあらわすNeutralA general verb for expressing or representing something; 「描写」 stresses detailed depiction of scenery and people.

Choose 「描写」 for detailed depiction of scenes or psychology in words, painting or music, as in 「心理描写」「情景描写」; it also works as 「描写する」. Use 「描く」 for drawing or imagining, 「表現」「表す」 for general expression, and 「映し出す」 for reflecting the times.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 感情かんじょうや情景じょうけいなどを小説しょうせつ・絵画かいが・音楽おんがくなどにより写うつし表あらわすこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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