絵を描く
e o kaku
The English phrase "draw a picture" is translated into Japanese as 絵を描く (e o kaku).
Within this phrase, 絵 (e) means "picture", while the verb part can be expressed as either 描く (kaku) or 描く (egaku), both meaning "to draw".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 絵を描く is composed of 絵 (e) meaning "picture", を (o) which is the object marker particle and 描く (kaku) meaning "to draw or paint".
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite form is 絵を描きます (e o kakimasu), and the past tense is 絵を描いた (e o kaita).
How do you pronounce it?
e o kaku
Did you know?
- The term 絵 is used in the word 絵文字, which refers to 'emojis'. These are essentially the modern, digital descendants of the concept of combining a picture with a meaning.
- When describing the act of doodling or scribbling aimlessly, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 落書きをする (rakugaki o suru) instead of using the verb for drawing.
- The word 絵 can be combined with other characters to create 絵巻 (emaki), which are traditional Japanese narrative scrolls that combine text and pictures to tell a story.
Examples in context
- 私は絵を描きます。I draw pictures.
- 彼女は美しい絵を描きます。She draws beautiful pictures.
- 先生は子供たちに絵を描くように言いました。The teacher told the children to draw pictures.
- 絵を描くのって楽しいよね。Drawing pictures is fun, isn't it?
- 友達と一緒に絵を描きたい。I want to draw pictures with my friends.
- 絵を描くことが彼の趣味だ。Drawing pictures is his hobby.
- 暇な時に、絵を描くのが好きです。Hima na toki ni, e o kaku no ga suki desu.I like to draw a picture when I am free.
Example conversation
Two children are sitting at a table with art supplies.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太くん、何を描いているの？Youta-kun, nani o kaite iru no?Youta, what are you drawing?
- 陽太 Yotaかっこいい犬の絵を描くよ。Kakkoii inu no e o kaku yo.I'm going to draw a picture of a cool dog.
- 陽葵 Himariいいな。私も絵を描くね。Ii na. Watashi mo e o kaku ne.Nice. I'll draw a picture too.
- 陽太 Yotaうん、一緒に描こう。Un, issho ni kakou.Yeah, let's draw together.
