起草|きそうkisou[0]heiban (flat)

Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verbdrafting (e.g. a bill); drawing up
Conjugation
Dictionary form起草する(きそうする)
Polite (masu)起草します(きそうします)
Negative (nai)起草しない(きそうしない)
polite (masen)起草しません(きそうしません)
classical zu / nu起草せず・起草せぬ(きそうせず・きそうせぬ)
Past (ta)起草した(きそうした)
polite (mashita)起草しました(きそうしました)
Past negative (nakatta)起草しなかった(きそうしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)起草しませんでした(きそうしませんでした)
Te form起草して(きそうして)
Potential起草できる(きそうできる)
Passive起草される(きそうされる)
Causative起草させる(きそうさせる)
Causative passive起草させられる(きそうさせられる)
Conditional (ba)起草すれば(きそうすれば)
tara起草したら(きそうしたら)
Volitional起草しよう(きそうしよう)
polite (mashou)起草しましょう(きそうしましょう)
Imperative起草しろ(きそうしろ)

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

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym起案きあんWrittenWritten/formal: drawing up plans, contracts and similar documents, common in internal paperwork at offices and companies, as in 「起案書」; 「起草」 covers drafts of all kinds.
  • Synonym起稿きこうWrittenWritten/formal: like 「起草」 it means starting a draft, but it is rare and mostly for beginning articles or works; drafting bills or rules is normally 「起草」.
  • Related草案そうあんNeutralNeutral noun for the draft document itself awaiting review, as in 「憲法草案」; 「起草」 is the act of drafting, and 「草案を起草する」 is a common pairing.
  • Related草稿そうこうNeutralNeutral noun for a text not yet finalized, as in 「演説の草稿」; not limited to official papers, whereas 「起草」 is the act of drafting.
  • Related案文あんぶんWrittenWritten/formal noun for the draft text of a document awaiting settlement, as in 「案文を修正する」; 「起草」 is the action, so the two are not interchangeable.
  • Related原案げんあんNeutralNeutral noun for the original plan that forms the basis of discussion, as in 「原案通り可決」; it stresses where the content comes from, while 「起草」 is the act of drafting.
  • Related原稿げんこうNeutralNeutral noun for a manuscript to be printed or published, as in 「講演の原稿」; 「起草」 is the act of drafting, and writing one is usually 「原稿を書く」.
  • Related素案そあんWrittenWritten/formal noun for a preliminary plan before it is worked into a formal draft; often 「素案をまとめる」. 「起草」 is the act of drafting the document.
  • Related稿こうWrittenWritten/formal noun for a manuscript; seldom used alone, appearing mostly in compounds like 「初稿」 and 「遺稿」. 「起草」 is the act of drafting.
  • Related文案ぶんあんWrittenWritten/formal noun for the rough draft of a document; literary and uncommon. 「起草」 is the act of drafting, while everyday rough drafts are usually 「下書き」.
  • Related下書きしたがきNeutralNeutral: the rough draft made before a fair copy; also verbal, as in 「下書きする」. Everyday word for letters, drawings and the like, while 「起草」 is a more formal kanji word.
  • Related執筆しっぴつNeutralNeutral: writing texts or books, with the focus on the writing itself, as in 「執筆活動」; 「起草」 centers on producing a draft for later review.
  • Related下書げしょWrittenWritten/formal, read 「げしょ」: a rough draft, but very rare. Say 「下書き」 in daily use, and use 「起草」 for the act of drafting a document or text.

Use 「起草」 for drafting documents or texts; within government offices and companies, internal drafting of official papers is also 「起案」. The draft itself is 「草案」, an everyday rough copy is 「下書き」, and writing a work is 「執筆」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 草案そうあんや原稿げんこうを書かき始はじめること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents

Say it right, write it right

Core lookup works fully offline, with cloud pronunciation and one-tap save & review. Free, no sign-up.

Free downloadWindowsFree downloadmacOSDownload on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
MobileiOS / Android

Android

QR code for the Google Play pageGet it on Google Play

Scan it with your Android phone to install, or search for “Tomoshi” on Google Play.

iOS

QR code for the App Store pageDownload on the App Store

Scan it with your iPhone camera to install, or search for “Tomoshi” in the App Store.

Install the browser extensionLook words up on any web page · Chrome / Edge / Safari

Screenshot of a Tomoshi lookup resultScreenshot of Tomoshi lookup results on a phone

Windows macOS Chrome / Edge / Safari extension iOS / Android