模写・摸写|もしゃmosha[1]atamadaka (head-high)

Common
Which spelling to use
模写模写 is the most common written form. Beginners should normally choose it when writing this word.
摸写摸写 is a kanji-only variant, but it is rarely used; learners will seldom encounter it and generally need not choose it when writing this word.
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbcopy (of the real thing); copying; reproduction; tracing
    彼かれはゴッホの模写もしゃをした。↗
    He imitated the works of Van Gogh.
Conjugation
Dictionary form模写する(もしゃする)
Polite (masu)模写します(もしゃします)
Negative (nai)模写しない(もしゃしない)
polite (masen)模写しません(もしゃしません)
classical zu / nu模写せず・模写せぬ(もしゃせず・もしゃせぬ)
Past (ta)模写した(もしゃした)
polite (mashita)模写しました(もしゃしました)
Past negative (nakatta)模写しなかった(もしゃしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)模写しませんでした(もしゃしませんでした)
Te form模写して(もしゃして)
Potential模写できる(もしゃできる)
Passive模写される(もしゃされる)
Causative模写させる(もしゃさせる)
Causative passive模写させられる(もしゃさせられる)
Conditional (ba)模写すれば(もしゃすれば)
tara模写したら(もしゃしたら)
Volitional模写しよう(もしゃしよう)
polite (mashou)模写しましょう(もしゃしましょう)
Imperative模写しろ(もしゃしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym複写ふくしゃNeutralFor photocopying and duplicating; it stresses mechanical reproduction, while 「模写」 is about faithfully copying paintings and calligraphy.
  • Synonym写しうつしNeutralA copy or duplicate of a document; unlike 「模写」, it does not stress copying artwork from the original.
  • Synonym写すうつすNeutralA verb for copying out text or taking photos; unlike 「模写」, it is not centered on copying artwork.
  • Synonym真似るまねるNeutralA verb for imitating people's speech and behavior; mimicry of actions, not copying paintings or calligraphy as 「模写」 does.
  • Synonym複製ふくせいNeutralReproducing or reprinting anything, artworks included; its stress is on making a duplicate, while 「模写」 centers on copying by hand from the original.
  • Synonym臨写りんしゃWrittenA written/formal word for copying calligraphy from the original; it centers on calligraphy, where 「模写」 also covers painting.
  • RelatedコピーNeutralA loanword for photocopying and duplicating; unlike 「模写」, it does not center on copying artwork from the original.
  • Related書写しょしゃNeutralCopying out text, and also the school subject of penmanship; unlike 「模写」, it is not about copying artwork.
  • Related模造もぞうNeutralMaking imitations or imitation products; about manufacturing fakes, not the artwork copying that 「模写」 describes.
  • Related真似まねNeutralImitation or copying in general, learning by mimicking a model; unlike 「模写」, it does not center on copying a work exactly from the original.
  • Related書き取るかきとるNeutralA verb for writing down what is said or copying out a text; note-taking and dictation, not artwork copying like 「模写」.
  • RelatedレプリカNeutralA loanword for replicas, e.g. copies of trophies or artworks; the object itself, not the copying act of 「模写」.
  • Related似せるにせるNeutralA verb for making something resemble another, including counterfeits; not 「模写」's faithful copying of artwork.
  • Related模倣もほうNeutralImitating works, methods, designs and more in a broad sense; 「模写」 is narrower, for copying paintings and calligraphy exactly.
  • Related謄写とうしゃWrittenA written/formal word for transcribing or mimeographing text; unlike 「模写」, it is not about copying artwork.
  • Related写字しゃじWrittenA written/formal word for copying out characters; unlike 「模写」, it is not about reproducing paintings or calligraphy.
  • Related筆写ひっしゃNeutralCopying text down by hand; unlike 「模写」, it is not about faithfully copying paintings or calligraphy.
  • Related写し取るうつしとるNeutralA verb for copying something down exactly as the original; everyday copying of text, not 「模写」's artwork focus.
  • RelatedかたどるNeutralA verb for modeling something on a shape or form; shaping after a model, not the artwork copying of 「模写」.
  • Related模するもするWrittenA written/formal verb meaning to imitate; unlike 「模写」, it is not tied to copying paintings or calligraphy.
  • Related複製品ふくせいひんNeutralA reproduction or replica as a physical object; unlike 「模写」, it names the product, not the act of copying.
  • Related引き写すひきうつすNeutralA verb for copying text word for word or tracing a drawing through thin paper; the stress is on mechanical copying, not 「模写」's faithful rendering.
  • Antonym創作そうさくNeutralThe antonym: creating original work, the opposite of 「模写」's copying from an existing original.

Use 「模写」 for copying a painting or piece of calligraphy exactly from the original; it also covers imitating sounds, as in 「声帯模写」. For photocopying say 「複写」 or 「コピー」, for copying calligraphy from a model say 「臨写」, and for a replica of an object say 「レプリカ」. The antonym 「創作」 means creating original work. Most of the other words are for copying text or imitating, not for copying artwork.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. そっくりに写し取うつしとること。
  2. 形態けいたいなどをまねること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

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