Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| рисова́ть | risovátʹ | imperfective |
| нарисова́ть | narisovátʹ | perfective |
| черти́ть | čertítʹ | imperfective |
| начерти́ть | načertítʹ | perfective, usually |
The verb рисова́ть is the general term used for artistic drawing, sketching or painting. If you are specifically referring to the act of drawing technical lines, geometric shapes or drafting, you should use черти́ть instead.
Which one should you use?
Russian uses different verb forms depending on whether you are focusing on the process or the result, and whether the subject is artistic or technical. For general artistic drawing, use the imperfective рисова́ть to describe the ongoing process or a habit and use the perfective нарисова́ть to emphasize a completed drawing or the finished result. For technical drawing or drafting, use the imperfective черти́ть for the process and the perfective начерти́ть to describe the completed act of drawing technical lines or a diagram.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
risovátʹ
Did you know?
- The technical verb черти́ть shares a root with the Russian word for 'devil', черт. In a historical context, drawing lines or signs was sometimes associated with occult scribbling.
- The word рисова́ть is used in the slang expression рисова́ться, which means to show off or act pretentious. This comes from the idea of 'drawing attention' to oneself.
- The verb рисова́ть can be used idiomatically to mean 'to imagine' or 'to picture' a scenario in one's head. For example, one might рисова́ть a bright future for themselves.
Examples in context
- Она рисует красивые пейзажиShe draws beautiful landscapes
- Мой друг рисует комиксыMy friend draws comics
- Как ты нарисовал(а) это?How did you draw this?
- Я люблю рисова́ть в свободное время.Ya lyublyu risovat' v svobodnoye vremya.I love to draw in my free time.
- Ребёнок хочет рисова́ть фломастерами.Rebyonok khochet risovat' flomasterami.The child wants to draw with felt-tip pens.
Example conversation
Andrey and Ekaterina are in an art studio.
- Андрей AndreyЕка́терина, ты хочешь рисова́ть сегодня?Ekaterina, ty khochesh' risovat' segodnya?Ekaterina, do you want to draw today?
- Екатерина EkaterinaДа, Андрей, я возьму карандаши.Da, Andrey, ya voz'mu karandashi.Yes, Andrey, I will take the pencils.
- Андрей AndreyТы всегда рису́ешь очень красиво.Ty vsegda risuyesh' ochen' krasivo.You always draw very beautifully.
- Екатерина EkaterinaСпаси́бо за комплиме́нт!Spasibo za kompliment!Thanks for the compliment!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
