Japanese word

作文

Pronunciation

Romajisakubun

Meaning

  • nounessay

Example

学校で作文を書きます。gak kō de saku bun o ka ki ma su

I write an essay at school.

Illustration for 作文 (essay)

More examples

夏休みの作文で、家族との思い出を書きます。natsu yasu mi no saku bun de ka zoku to no omo i de o ka ki ma su

In my summer vacation essay, I write about memories with my family.

Core concept

Centers on putting one's thoughts and experiences into an organized piece of writing.

Common phrases

  • 作文を書くsaku bun o ka ku

    write an essay

  • 作文を提出するsaku bun o tei shutsu su ru

    submit an essay

Similar words

感想文kansōbun: A piece of writing that describes personal thoughts and feelings about an experience or work.

Definition in Japanese

自分の考えや経験などを、まとまりのある文章に書き表したもの。ji bun no kanga e ya kei ken na do o ma to ma ri no a ru bun shō ni ka ki arawa shi ta mo no

Word origin

作文 (sakubun, "composition") is a Sino-Japanese compound of 作 (saku, "make") and 文 (bun, "writing or sentence"). The parts describe writing that someone creates.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese schools, 作文 (sakubun, "composition") commonly refers to a student's written account of thoughts or experiences, so it often appears in homework and classroom activities.

Other meanings

  • compositionnoun

Related words

  • 作文力sakubunryokuessay-writing abilitynoun

Word lists with this word