著す・著わす|あらわすarawasu[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
著す著す（あらわす） is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners learning this word.
著わす著わす（あらわす） is a less common written variant of 著す（あらわす）; learners will usually encounter 著す（あらわす） more often.
Definitions
- godan verb, transitive verbto write; to publish
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 著す（あらわす） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 著します（あらわします） |
| Negative (nai) | 著さない（あらわさない） |
| polite (masen) | 著しません（あらわしません） |
| classical zu / nu | 著さず・著さぬ（あらわさず・あらわさぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 著した（あらわした） |
| polite (mashita) | 著しました（あらわしました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 著さなかった（あらわさなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 著しませんでした（あらわしませんでした） |
| Te form | 著して（あらわして） |
| Potential | 著せる（あらわせる） |
| Passive | 著される（あらわされる） |
| Causative | 著させる（あらわさせる） |
| Causative passive | 著させられる（あらわさせられる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 著せば（あらわせば） |
| tara | 著したら（あらわしたら） |
| Volitional | 著そう（あらわそう） |
| polite (mashou) | 著しましょう（あらわしましょう） |
| Imperative | 著せ（あらわせ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym書き下ろすかきおろすNeutralWriting a new work for a specific purpose, as in 「書き下ろし小説」; the emphasis is on it being newly written.
- Synonym執筆しっぴつNeutralA noun for writing manuscripts, as in 「原稿を執筆する」; used mainly of writers and journalists.
- Synonym著述ちょじゅつWrittenA noun for authoring books, as in 「著述業」; formal written style, with the focus on writing books.
- Synonym書くかくNeutralThe most general word for writing; 「著す」 is reserved for writing full works such as books and papers.
- Synonym著作ちょさくNeutralA noun for a written work or the act of authorship, as in 「著作権」; the focus is on the work itself.
- Synonym綴るつづるNeutralComposing text piece by piece, as in 「日記を綴る」; also covers spelling words out and binding things together.
- Synonym書き綴るかきつづるNeutralWriting something down bit by bit, as in 「思いを書き綴る」; the focus is on putting one's feelings into words.
- Synonym物するものするWrittenWritten style for producing a piece of writing, as in 「一文をものする」; carries a refined, literary flavor.
- Synonym書き表すかきあらわすNeutralExpressing something in writing, as in 「言葉で書き表す」; the focus is on conveying meaning, not producing a work.
- SynonymしたためるWrittenWritten style for writing a letter, as in 「手紙をしたためる」; it can also mean to have a meal.
- Related記すしるすNeutralWriting something down or recording it, as in 「名前を記す」; the focus is on making a record, not authoring a work.
- Related起草きそうNeutralA noun for drafting bills and documents, as in 「法案を起草する」.
- Related詠むよむNeutralComposing waka or haiku, as in 「歌を詠む」; restricted to poetry.
- Related書き下すかきくだすNeutralWriting something out in one go, or turning classical Chinese into Japanese word order, as in 「書き下し文」.
- Related起案きあんNeutralA noun for drafting plans and official papers, as in 「起案書」; used mainly in government offices and agencies.
Use 「著す」 for writing books, papers and other full works, as in 「研究成果を本に著す」. For everyday writing pick 「書く」; for authors or journalists writing manuscripts, 「執筆」; for letters, 「したためる」; for poems, 「詠む」; for drafting official documents, 「起草」. 「著述」 and 「著作」 are nouns for written works, and 「記す」 is for recording.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
