素描|そびょうsobyou[0]heiban (flat)
This browser can't play pronunciations (needs Safari 18.4 or later, or Chrome / Edge / Firefox).
- noun, suru verb, transitive verbdrawing; sketch
- noun, suru verb, transitive verboutline; summary; synopsis
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 素描する(そびょうする) |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 素描します(そびょうします) |
| Negative (nai) | 素描しない(そびょうしない) |
| polite (masen) | 素描しません(そびょうしません) |
| classical zu / nu | 素描せず・素描せぬ(そびょうせず・そびょうせぬ) |
| Past (ta) | 素描した(そびょうした) |
| polite (mashita) | 素描しました(そびょうしました) |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 素描しなかった(そびょうしなかった) |
| polite (masen deshita) | 素描しませんでした(そびょうしませんでした) |
| Te form | 素描して(そびょうして) |
| Potential | 素描できる(そびょうできる) |
| Passive | 素描される(そびょうされる) |
| Causative | 素描させる(そびょうさせる) |
| Causative passive | 素描させられる(そびょうさせられる) |
| Conditional (ba) | 素描すれば(そびょうすれば) |
| tara | 素描したら(そびょうしたら) |
| Volitional | 素描しよう(そびょうしよう) |
| polite (mashou) | 素描しましょう(そびょうしましょう) |
| Imperative | 素描しろ(そびょうしろ) |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
- SynonymスケッチNeutralLoanword for quick sketching from life, also short descriptive essays; 「素描」 is the more written, art-world term.
- Synonym下絵したえNeutralAn underdrawing made before painting or embroidery; 「素描」 centers on monochrome line drawing itself.
- Synonym下書きしたがきNeutralA draft, usually of text; 「素描」 is a monochrome line drawing, or a short summary piece of writing.
- SynonymデッサンNeutralLoanword for monochrome drawing in art; the usual term in art education. 「素描」 can also mean a brief summary.
- Synonym下描きしたがきNeutralA rough preliminary sketch drawn as the base for a finished work; a 「素描」 can be a finished piece in its own right.
- Synonym画稿がこうWrittenWritten/formal prose for a painting draft or sketch; rarely used.
- Related輪郭りんかくNeutralThe outline or contour of a thing, also a broad outline of events, as in 「事件の輪郭」; it stresses the outer boundary lines.
For monochrome drawing practice, say 「デッサン」; 「素描」 is the written art term and also covers brief summaries like 「人物素描」. Use 「スケッチ」 for sketching from life, 「下絵」 for an underdrawing, 「下描き」/「下書き」 for drafts, and 「輪郭」 for an outline.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only


