描写 meaning in English
to describe; to depict; to portray; depiction; portrayal
Meaning of 描写
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to describe; to depict; to portray
- depiction; portrayal
How to use 描写
描写 is mostly used for writing, literature, and art, when an author paints a vivid picture of people, places, or feelings. It often appears in phrases like 心理描写 (psychological depiction) or 环境描写 (description of setting). Example: 这本小说描写了农村的生活。(Zhè běn xiǎoshuō miáoxiě le nóngcūn de shēnghuó.) This novel depicts life in the countryside.
描 (miáo) means to trace or sketch, and 写 (xiě) means to write. When you 描写, you sketch a scene with written words so the reader can see it.
Common mistake: Learners often use 描写 for everyday spoken descriptions, like describing a lost wallet to the police. In that case 描述 (miáoshù) sounds more natural, because 描写 suggests vivid, literary writing. Also watch the left side of 描: it is the hand radical 扌, not 木.
描写 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
描 miáo · to copy · 11 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
写 xiě · to write · 5 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Related words
Words that share a character with 描写.
| 听写 | tīngxiě | (of a pupil) to write down (in a dictation exercise); dictation; (music) to transcribe by |
| 写作 | xiězuò | to write; to compose |
| 描述 | miáoshù | to describe; description |
| 抄写 | chāoxiě | to copy; to transcribe |
| 写字楼 | xiězìlóu | office building |
| 写字台 | xiězìtái | writing desk |
| 扫描 | sǎomiáo | to scan |
| 描绘 | miáohuì | to describe; to depict; to portray |
| 书写 | shūxiě | to write |
| 填写 | tiánxiě | to fill in a form; to write data in a box (on a questionnaire or web form) |
| 素描 | sùmiáo | sketch |
| 编写 | biānxiě | to compile |
Questions about 描写
What does 描写 mean?
描写 (miáoxiě) means "to describe; to depict; to portray; depiction; portrayal" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 描写?
描写 is made of 2 characters: 描 (11 strokes), 写 (5 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 描写 an HSK word?
Yes. 描写 is on the HSK 4 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 描写 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 描写 is written 描寫.
What is the difference between 描写 and 描述?
描写 focuses on vivid, detailed portrayal, usually in writing or art. 描述 is a more neutral word for telling what something is like, and it works well in speech, such as 请描述一下那个人 (please describe that person).
Can 描写 be used as a noun?
Yes. It can mean a depiction or portrayal, as in 这段描写很生动 (zhè duàn miáoxiě hěn shēngdòng), meaning this passage of description is very vivid.