草稿|そうこうsoukou[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounnotes; draft; manuscript
   私は演説えんぜつの草稿そうこうを作つくった。↗

   I made a draft of my speech.

• Synonym下書きしたがきNeutralThe everyday word for a draft — what you write or sketch before the fair copy. More common in daily use than 「草稿」, which leans toward texts and speeches.
• SynonymドラフトNeutralA loanword for a draft; also means a sports draft (as in baseball) or draft beer. Heard in business and publishing contexts.
• Synonym原稿げんこうNeutralA manuscript meant for printing or publication, as in 「原稿用紙」; drafts still being revised count too. 「草稿」 stresses that the text is unfinished.
• Synonym稿こうWrittenA written word for a manuscript or version, mostly in forms like 「第二稿」. Rarely used on its own.
• Synonym草案そうあんFormalA formal draft awaiting deliberation, e.g. of a bill or treaty. Formal register, mainly for official documents.
• Synonym文案ぶんあんWrittenA draft of a document, as in 「文案を作成する」; can also mean a desk. Written register, while 「草稿」 leans toward texts and speeches.
• Related素案そあんNeutralA rough plan worked up before it becomes a formal proposal; covers both texts and plans. 「草稿」 focuses on the written document itself.
• Related案文あんぶんWrittenA prepared draft of a document; leans toward official papers and stresses the wording. Written register.
• Related起草きそうNeutralDrafting a bill or document — the act of drawing it up, where 「草稿」 names the text. Focuses on formal paperwork.
• Related原案げんあんNeutralThe original plan or bill submitted for discussion; stresses the proposal itself, not the written text.
• Related下書げしょWrittenOn-reading of 「下書き」; written style and very rare. Does not carry 「草稿」's lean toward written texts and speeches.
• Related起稿きこうWrittenRefers to starting to write a draft — the act of putting pen to paper. Written register; unlike 「草稿」 it names an action, not the text.
• Related稿本こうほんWrittenWritten register: the author's original text before printing. Leans toward publishing and textual scholarship.
• Related手稿しゅこうWrittenA handwritten manuscript or transcription. The emphasis is on being handwritten, unlike 「草稿」 with its lean toward written texts.
• Antonym清書せいしょNeutralAntonym: making a fair copy — rewriting something neatly. The opposite of the rough, unfinished 「草稿」.
• Antonym完成稿NeutralAntonym: the finished, final version of a text — the counterpart of an unfinished 「草稿」.

Use 「草稿」 for a text that is unfinished and not yet officially released, as in 「演説の草稿」. In everyday speech 「下書き」 is the usual word; for bills and treaties say 「草案」, and for copy going to print 「原稿」. 「素案」 is a rough first version of a text or plan, 「原案」 a proposal rather than wording, and 「起草」 the act of drafting. The antonyms are 「清書」, a neat fair copy, and 「完成稿」, the finished version.

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

1. 完成かんせいしておらず、正式せいしきな公開こうかいを行おこなう段階だんかいに至いたっていない文章ぶんしょう。