hacer un dibujo
/aθeɾ un dibuxo/from spelling rules
To say "draw a picture" in Spanish, use hacer un dibujo.
While the single verb dibujar is the direct equivalent of the English verb "to draw", the phrase hacer un dibujo is a common way to express the specific idea of "drawing a picture."
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hacer un dibujo translates to "to make a drawing."
Which one should you use?
While hacer un dibujo is a common phrase for the action, the single verb dibujar is the direct translation for "to draw."
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, you may encounter the expression Dibujá una imagen to mean "draw a picture".
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun dibujo is masculine, which is why it is preceded by the masculine article un in the phrase hacer un dibujo.
Did you know?
- The verb hacer shares a common ancestor with the English word 'fact' through the Latin 'facere'.
- While dibujar is the verb for the act of drawing, the word dibujo can also mean a 'pattern' or 'design' on clothing in certain contexts.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, the act of hacer un dibujo is often associated with 'drawing' in the sense of sketching, while 'painting' is reserved for pintar. Using hacer un dibujo for an oil painting would be considered a category error.
Examples in context
- Ella le miraba hacer un dibujo.She watched him draw a picture.This sentence shows how to use hacer un dibujo to describe someone watching an action.Tatoeba #5728769 by albrusgher, translation #887576 by CK
- Tom observó a Mary hacer un dibujo.Tom watched Mary draw a picture.This sentence uses hacer un dibujo to describe an observation of someone drawing.Tatoeba #5728773 by albrusgher, translation #3308285 by CK
- El joven niño usa ceras para hacer un dibujo.The young child uses crayons to draw a picture.This sentence demonstrates using hacer un dibujo in the context of a child using tools like crayons.Tatoeba #5728777 by albrusgher, translation #4717350 by hinto4
- Por favor, dibuje un dibujo de la montaña.Please draw a picture of the mountain.
- Haz un dibujo de una flor en el jardín.Draw a picture of a flower in the garden.
Example conversation
Lucía and Javier are sitting at a table with art supplies.
- LucíaJavier, ¿quieres hacer un dibujo conmigo?Javier, do you want to draw a picture with me?
- JavierSí, Lucía, me encanta pintar.Yes, Lucía, I love painting.
- LucíaYo voy a hacer un dibujo de un gato.I am going to draw a picture of a cat.
- Javier¡Qué buena idea! Yo haré uno de un perro.That's a great idea! I will do one of a dog.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dibujo, hacer, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
