Chinese word

素描

Pronunciation

Pinyinsù miáo

Meaning

  • nounsketch

Example

他在课上画了一张素描。tā zài kè shàng huà le yì zhāng sù miáo

He drew a sketch in class.

Illustration for 素描 (sketch)

More examples

为了准备作品展，他每天坚持做素描练习。wèi le zhǔn bèi zuò pín zhǎn tā měi tiān jiān chí zuò sù miáo liàn xí

He practices sketching every day to prepare for the art exhibition.

Core concept

A visual skeleton of a subject, built from economical marks and limited shading while preserving its proportions.

Common phrases

  • 学素描xué sù miáo

    learn to sketch

  • 一张素描yì zhāng sù miáo

    a sketch

  • 静物素描jìng wù sù miáo

    still-life sketch

Similar words

速写sù xiě: A rapidly made drawing that records a subject's movement and overall feeling.
草图cǎo tú: An early, simple drawing that outlines an idea, plan, or design.
写生xiě shēng: A drawing based on careful observation of a real subject's shape and lighting.
画稿huà gǎo: A detailed early drawing prepared as part of making a finished work.

Definition in Chinese

用线条或简单的明暗表现物体的外形与结构，常用铅笔、炭笔等，注重抓住总体轮廓和比例，而不追求细致的色彩或修饰。yòng xiàn tiáo huò jiǎn dān de míng àn biǎo xiàn wù tǐ de wài xíng yǔ jié gòu cháng yòng qiān bǐ tàn bǐ děng zhù zhòng zhuā zhù zóng tǐ lún kuò hé bǐ lì ér bù zhuī qiú xì zhì de sè cǎi huò xiū shì

Word origin

素 (sù, "plain") + 描 (miáo, "draw") presents drawing as a plain rendering, which explains its focus on essential form instead of surface decoration.

Usage tips

  • Chinese uses this noun for both the artistic practice and an individual finished work, so context determines whether it names an activity or an object.

Other meanings

  • pencil drawingnoun

Related words

  • 素描技巧sù miáo jì qiǎosketching techniquesnoun
  • 素描教程sù miáo jiào chéngsketching tutorialnoun

Word lists with this word