To paint a picture with words, making descriptions vivid and detailed.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To describe people, things, or scenes with words.
- Focuses on vivid details and creating images.
- Common in stories, reports, and everyday talk.
Overview
描写（miáo xiě）是一个非常常用的中文动词，意思是“to describe”或“to depict”。它指的是用语言文字来详细地、生动地描绘出人、事、物、景、情等。通过描写，作者能够让读者在脑海中形成具体的画面，感受到作者想要传达的情感和信息。描写是写作和口语交流中不可或缺的一部分，它能使表达更加丰富、具体和有感染力。
描写通常用在描述人物的外貌、性格、动作，事件的经过，景物的特点，或者表达一种复杂的情感。它可以单独使用，也可以与其他词语组合成词组，如“细致描写”、“生动描写”、“客观描写”等。在句子中，描写可以作为谓语，也可以作为定语或状语的一部分。
描写在文学作品（小说、散文、诗歌）、新闻报道、游记、说明文、人物介绍、甚至是日常的口头交流中都非常常见。例如，在描述一个美丽的风景时，我们会用“描写”；在介绍一个有趣的人时，我们也会用到“描写”。
刻画通常指深入地、细致地描绘人物的性格、思想和心理活动，强调的是对内在世界的挖掘和塑造，比描写更侧重于人物的内心。
叙述侧重于按照时间或事件的顺序讲述事情的经过，是“说什么”和“怎么发生的”。描写则侧重于对事物的外在形态、内在特征或情感的描绘，是“是什么样的”。
描述和描写意思非常接近，都表示用语言来陈述。但“描写”更侧重于用生动、形象的语言来描绘，强调的是画面感和细节，常常带有艺术性。而“描述”则更偏向于陈述事实、说明情况，相对更客观、直接，不一定追求生动形象。
Examples
作家用优美的文字描写了江南水乡的独特风光。
everydayThe writer used beautiful words to describe the unique scenery of the Jiangnan water towns.
请根据你看到的，客观地描写一下事发现场的情况。
formalPlease objectively describe the situation at the scene of the incident based on what you saw.
他就是不肯好好吃饭，每次都要我费好大劲儿去‘描写’他的菜有多好吃。
informalHe just refuses to eat properly; every time I have to try really hard to 'describe' how delicious his food is.
该研究通过详细描写实验步骤，确保了结果的可重复性。
academicThe study ensured the reproducibility of its results by meticulously describing the experimental procedures.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
描写人物
describe a character
描写景色
describe scenery
生动地描写
vividly describe
Often Confused With
While both mean 'to describe', 描写 (miáo xiě) often implies a more vivid, detailed, and artistic portrayal, focusing on creating an image. 描述 (miáo shù) is more general and can be a straightforward account of facts or situations.
叙述 (xù shù) focuses on recounting events in sequence, telling what happened. 描写 (miáo xiě) focuses on depicting the qualities, appearance, or feelings of people, things, or scenes.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
描写 is a versatile verb used extensively in both spoken and written Chinese. It's particularly important in creative writing to bring scenes and characters to life. In more factual contexts, it can mean to provide a detailed account.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 描写 with 描述. Remember that 描写 often carries a stronger sense of artistic or vivid portrayal, while 描述 can be more factual and less embellished. Avoid using 描写 when a simple factual statement (描述) is sufficient.
Tips
Use vivid verbs and adjectives
To make your descriptions more engaging, choose strong verbs and descriptive adjectives that appeal to the senses.
Avoid being too vague
Simply saying something is 'good' or 'bad' isn't descriptive. Provide specific details to support your claims.
Emphasis on detail in Chinese art
Traditional Chinese art and literature often value meticulous detail and subtle nuances in their descriptions, reflecting a cultural appreciation for precision.
Word Origin
The character 描 (miáo) originally depicted drawing lines or sketching. 写 (xiě) means to write or draw. Together, they literally mean 'to draw and write', evolving to mean describing something in detail with words.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, detailed and evocative descriptions are highly valued in literature and art, often aiming to capture the spirit or essence (神韵) of the subject rather than just its superficial appearance.
Memory Tip
Imagine an artist meticulously 'drawing' (苗 miáo sounds like 'mow', like drawing lines) a scene with great detail. That's the essence of 描写 (miáo xiě).
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions描写更注重用生动形象的语言来描绘，强调画面的具体感和细节。描述则更侧重于陈述事实，说明情况，相对更客观和直接。
当你需要详细、生动地告诉别人某人、某物或某个场景是什么样子时，就可以用“描写”。比如描写风景、人物外貌、故事情节等。
可以。比如，作家可以用“描写”来表达人物内心的复杂情感，让读者更能理解和体会。
叙述是讲故事的过程，按照时间顺序说事情的经过。描写则是对事物的外在形态、内在特征或情感的描绘，是“是什么样的”。
Test Yourself
这位作家非常擅长用细腻的笔触______人物的内心世界。
这里需要一个词来表示用生动的语言描绘人物的内心，‘描写’最符合语境。
以下哪个词最接近“描写”的意思？
‘描绘’和‘描写’都强调用形象的语言来展现事物，是近义词。
用“描写”造句：美丽的/公园/作者/了这个/的/景色。
这个句子结构完整，主语是‘作者’，谓语是‘描写’，宾语是‘这个公园美丽的景色’，符合语法规则。
Score: /3
Summary
To paint a picture with words, making descriptions vivid and detailed.
- To describe people, things, or scenes with words.
- Focuses on vivid details and creating images.
- Common in stories, reports, and everyday talk.
Use vivid verbs and adjectives
To make your descriptions more engaging, choose strong verbs and descriptive adjectives that appeal to the senses.
Avoid being too vague
Simply saying something is 'good' or 'bad' isn't descriptive. Provide specific details to support your claims.
Emphasis on detail in Chinese art
Traditional Chinese art and literature often value meticulous detail and subtle nuances in their descriptions, reflecting a cultural appreciation for precision.
Examples
4 of 4作家用优美的文字描写了江南水乡的独特风光。
The writer used beautiful words to describe the unique scenery of the Jiangnan water towns.
请根据你看到的，客观地描写一下事发现场的情况。
Please objectively describe the situation at the scene of the incident based on what you saw.
他就是不肯好好吃饭，每次都要我费好大劲儿去‘描写’他的菜有多好吃。
He just refuses to eat properly; every time I have to try really hard to 'describe' how delicious his food is.
该研究通过详细描写实验步骤，确保了结果的可重复性。
The study ensured the reproducibility of its results by meticulously describing the experimental procedures.
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This Word in Other Languages
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学术性
A2Academic; scholarly; relating to education and scholarship.
学术化
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学术期刊
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教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
