Meaning
To create an image or drawing.
Cultural Background
Drawing is a common way for Japanese people to express gratitude. It's common to see hand-drawn illustrations on 'thank you' notes or at the bottom of restaurant receipts. The phrase is central to the 'Doujinshi' (self-published) community. Many people who 'draw pictures' as a hobby participate in massive conventions like Comiket. In Japanese business, 'drawing a picture' ({絵|え}を{描|か}く) often refers to the person who conceptualizes the strategy, even if they don't do the final execution. Traditional Japanese ink wash painting (Sumi-e) emphasizes the 'spirit' of the stroke. When you {絵|え}を{描|か}く in Sumi-e, you cannot erase; every line is final.
Use the right Kanji
Always use {描|か}く in digital messages to show you are a sophisticated learner who knows the difference between art and text.
Humble Art
When showing your drawing to a Japanese person, it's common to say '{下手|へた}ですが...' (It's not very good, but...) as a sign of modesty.
Meaning
To create an image or drawing.
Use the right Kanji
Always use {描|か}く in digital messages to show you are a sophisticated learner who knows the difference between art and text.
Humble Art
When showing your drawing to a Japanese person, it's common to say '{下手|へた}ですが...' (It's not very good, but...) as a sign of modesty.
Don't say 'make'
Avoid saying '{絵|え}を{作|つく}る'. It sounds like you are physically building a frame or a 3D object.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct kanji for 'drawing a picture'.
{私|わたし}は{趣味|しゅみ}で{絵|え}を（ ）きます。
{描|か}く is used for art, while {書|か}く is for writing text.
Fill in the missing particle.
{子供|こども}が{壁|かべ}（ ）{絵|え}を{描|か}いています。
The particle 'ni' indicates the surface (the wall) where the drawing is being made.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: {昨日|きのう}は何をしましたか？ B: {家|いえ}でゆっくり（ ）。
Since the question is in the past tense ({しましたか}), the answer must also be in the past tense ({描|か}きました).
Match the sentence to the correct context.
Sentence: '{将来|しょうらい}の{絵|え}を{描|か}く'
This is the figurative use of the phrase, meaning to envision or plan the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Tools for {絵|え}を{描|か}く
Traditional
- • {筆|ふで} (Brush)
- • {鉛筆|えんぴつ} (Pencil)
- • {紙|かみ} (Paper)
Digital
- • {タブレット|たぶれっと} (Tablet)
- • {ペン|ぺん} (Stylus)
- • {ソフト|そふと} (Software)
Practice Bank
4 exercises{私|わたし}は{趣味|しゅみ}で{絵|え}を（ ）きます。
{描|か}く is used for art, while {書|か}く is for writing text.
{子供|こども}が{壁|かべ}（ ）{絵|え}を{描|か}いています。
The particle 'ni' indicates the surface (the wall) where the drawing is being made.
A: {昨日|きのう}は何をしましたか？ B: {家|いえ}でゆっくり（ ）。
Since the question is in the past tense ({しましたか}), the answer must also be in the past tense ({描|か}きました).
Sentence: '{将来|しょうらい}の{絵|え}を{描|か}く'
This is the figurative use of the phrase, meaning to envision or plan the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTechnically, yes, and some people do it informally, but it is considered a kanji error. Always use {描|か}く for art to be correct.
{絵|え} is a broad term for any picture or painting. {イラスト|いらすと} specifically refers to modern illustrations, like those in books or online.
You can say '{絵|え}を{描|か}くのが{上手|じょうず}です' or more naturally, '{絵|え}が{上手|じょうず}です'.
Yes, {描|か}く covers both drawing with a pencil and painting with a brush.
Related Phrases
{落書|らくが}きをする
similarTo doodle or scribble.
{描写|びょうしゃ}する
specialized formTo depict or describe.
{色|いろ}を{塗|ぬ}る
builds onTo color or paint.
{写生|しゃせい}する
specialized formTo sketch from life.
