Japanese word

随筆

Pronunciation

Romajizuihitsu

Meaning

  • nounessay

Example

この随筆は短くて読みやすいです。ko no zui hitsu wa mijika ku te yo mi ya su i de su

This essay is short and easy to read.

Illustration for 随筆 (essay)

More examples

この雑誌には著名な作家の随筆が掲載されています。ko no zas shi ni wa cho mei na sak ka no zui hitsu ga kei sai sa re te i ma su

This magazine features an essay by a famous writer.

Core concept

Presents personal observations and thoughts in a free form rather than a fixed structure.

Common phrases

  • 随筆を書くzui hitsu o ka ku

    write an essay

  • 随筆を読むzui hitsu o yo mu

    read an essay

  • 随筆の題名zui hitsu no dai mei

    title of an essay

Similar words

エッセイessei: A modern loanword for a personal piece of prose written in an accessible style.
随想zuisō: Personal thoughts and observations expressed in a literary piece of prose.

Definition in Japanese

自分の経験や見聞、思索などを、形式にとらわれず自由に書き記した文章。ji bun no kei ken ya ken bun shi saku na do o kei shiki ni to ra wa re zu ji yū ni ka ki shiru shi ta bun shō

Word origin

随筆 (zuihitsu) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 随 (zui, "follow") and 筆 (hitsu, "writing brush"), suggesting writing that follows the brush.

Usage tips

  • The Pillow Book is a famous early example of 随筆 (zuihitsu), combining observations, lists, and personal reflections without a single plot.

Related words

  • 随筆家zuihitsukaessayistnoun

Word lists with this word