Japanese word

描写

Pronunciation

Romajibyōsha

Meaning

  • noundescription

Example

作家の人物描写がとても細かいです。sak ka no jin butsu byō sha ga to te mo koma ka i de su

The writer's character descriptions are very detailed.

Illustration for 描写 (description)

More examples

この小説は自然の描写が特に印象的です。ko no shō setsu wa shi zen no byō sha ga toku ni in shō teki de su

The descriptions of nature in this novel are especially impressive.

Core concept

Presents the visible or character-defining details of a person, thing, or scene so that its features become clear.

Common phrases

  • 人物描写jin butsu byō sha

    character description

  • 生き生きした描写i ki i ki shi ta byō sha

    vivid description

  • 自然の描写shi zen no byō sha

    description of nature

  • 心理の描写shin ri no byō sha

    psychological description

Similar words

形容keiyō: A portrayal that brings out the qualities or appearance of a subject.
叙述jojutsu: A connected account that tells what happened or what was experienced.
記述kijutsu: The recording of facts, details, or events in a written account.
表現hyōgen: The communication of an idea, feeling, or quality in a particular form.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事の姿や特徴を、言葉や絵によって具体的に表すこと。hito ya mono goto no sugata ya toku chō o koto ba ya e ni yo tte gu tai teki ni arawa su ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound combines 描 (byō, "depict") and 写 (sha, "copy or transcribe"), forming 描写 (byōsha, "description") for the concrete representation of a subject.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese fiction, 描写 (byōsha) can cover details of a character's inner state as well as outward appearance, so it is not limited to visual depiction.

Other meanings

  • depictionnoun
  • portrayalnoun

Related words

  • 描写力byōsharyokudescriptive skillnoun
  • 描写者byōshashadescribernoun

Word lists with this word