絵・画|えe[1]atamadaka (head-high)

1. nounpicture; drawing; painting; sketch
   あの絵えを壁かべに掛かけなさい。↗

   Hang that picture on the wall.
2. nounimage (TV, film, etc.); picture; footage

• Synonym絵画かいがNeutralSino-Japanese word for painting as an art form, as in 「絵画展」; 「絵」 is the everyday word — even a child's drawing counts as 「絵」.
• SynonymイラストNeutralLoanword for illustrations and diagrams, as in 「イラストを描く」; typically commercial or manga-style art.
• SynonymドローイングNeutralLoanword for sketches, line drawings or design drafting; leans toward professional art use.
• SynonymピクチャーNeutralLoanword for pictures; mostly appears in compounds and is not used on its own in everyday speech.
• Synonym画像がぞうNeutralElectronic images, as in 「画像を保存する」; the usual word on computers and phones.
• Synonym図画ずがWrittenPictures and drawings; formerly the name of a school subject, now rarely used.
• SynonymイラストレーションWrittenThe full form of 「イラスト」: illustrations and diagrams for books and ads; formal and professional, and everyday speech prefers the shortened form.
• Related挿絵さしえNeutralIllustrations in books and newspapers, as in 「絵本の挿絵」; limited to pictures that accompany the text.
• Related図面ずめんNeutralDesign drawings for architecture or machinery, as in 「設計図面」; technical drawings, not artwork.
• Related絵図えずWrittenFloor plans of houses or land, or old maps; carries an old-fashioned flavor.
• Related映像えいぞうNeutralImages reproduced on a screen or by projection — video and stills alike — and also pictures in the mind; 「絵」 usually means a hand-drawn picture.
• Related図形ずけいNeutralGeometric figures or charts, as in 「図形問題」; leans mathematical rather than artistic.
• Related図版ずはんWrittenPrinted pictures or illustrations in books and magazines; a publishing term.
• Related図案ずあんNeutralDesign patterns and motifs for crafts, as in 「図案化」.
• Related図解ずかいNeutralExplaining something with diagrams, as in 「図解入りの説明書」; the emphasis is on the explanation, not the picture itself.
• Related図説ずせつWrittenExplanation with accompanying figures; common in book titles, as in 「図説日本史」.
• Related線描せんびょうWrittenA picture drawn using lines only; an art term.
• RelatedカットNeutralLoanword for the small illustrations in newspapers and magazines; also means cutting, omission or a haircut.
• Related動画どうがNeutralVideo or animation, as in 「動画を見る」; moving images rather than still pictures.
• Related図ずNeutralDiagrams and charts, as in 「図を参照」; the emphasis is on the explanatory function.
• Related挿画そうがWrittenWritten word for illustrations in a book; in everyday speech say 「挿絵」.
• Related挿図そうずWrittenWritten word for pictures or photos inserted into the text of books and magazines.

「絵」 is the default for a picture. Use 「絵画」 for artworks, 「イラスト」 or 「挿絵」 for illustrations, 「図面」 for design drawings, 「図」 for diagrams, 「画像」 for digital images, 「動画」 for video. The rest are mostly written or specialist terms: 「イラストレーション」, 「挿画」, 「挿図」, 「図版」, 「図説」 in publishing prose; 「ドローイング」, 「線描」 in art talk; 「図形」 for geometry; 「図案」 for design patterns; 「図解」 for explaining with figures; 「カット」 for magazine spot art; 「映像」 for on-screen imagery; 「ピクチャー」 for compounds; 「絵図」 and 「図画」 are dated.

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

1. （エ）ものや心象しんしょうを形かたちづけて、平面へいめん上じょうに描えがいたもの。絵画かいが。
2. （口語こうご的てき）ものごとの計画けいかく、特とくに概要がいようやアウトラインを立案りつあんすること。
3. みばえのするさま。
4. （放送ほうそう・映画えいが業ぎょう界かいで）画像がぞう、映像えいぞう。