絵
e[e̞]
The Japanese word for drawing is 絵.
絵 is used to refer to a picture or a painting. While it is often used to discuss the subject of drawing, it specifically refers to the finished product rather than the physical act of drawing itself. Other terms exist depending on the context: ドローイング refers specifically to a drawing made with tools like pencils, pens or markers, while お絵描き is used for drawing or doodling, primarily by children or when discussing children's artwork.
Meaning: act of producing a picture (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term 絵 refers to the completed picture or painting. In technical or digital art discussions, the more formal term 描画 may be used to refer to the act of drawing.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 絵 does not change its form to indicate plurality. It can mean 'picture' or 'pictures' depending on the context of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
e
Did you know?
- A person who is skilled at 絵 is often called an 絵師, a term that historically referred to professional painters in ancient courts and now refers to online illustrators.
- The term お絵描き is often used by adults on social media to describe their digital art, giving a professional hobby a cute or humble 'childlike' tone.
- While 絵 refers to the product, the act of drawing is often described using the verb 描く, which also means 'to describe' or 'to portray' in a literary sense.
Examples in context
- 絵が苦手なの。I'm not good at drawing.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are not good at drawing using 絵.Tatoeba #10100219 by small_snow, translation #6531962 by CK
- 絵を描くのは得意？Are you good at drawing pictures?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is good at drawing pictures using 絵.Tatoeba #8742667 by bunbuku, translation #6255968 by CK
- 妹は絵が上手です。My younger sister is good at drawing.This sentence is useful for saying a younger sister is good at drawing using 絵.Tatoeba #10901736 by small_snow, translation #10901737 by CK
- 絵を描くのが好きです。I enjoy drawing.
- このソフトでは簡単に描画できます。You can easily draw using this software.
- 最近、ドローイングにはまっているんだ。I've been into drawing recently.
- うちの子供がお絵描きをしているよ。My child is drawing.
- 26 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are looking at an art book together.
- 蓮 Renこの絵はとても綺麗だね。Kono e wa totemo kirei da ne.This drawing is very beautiful, isn't it?
- 結衣 Yui本当だね。誰が描いたのかな。Hontou da ne. Dare ga kaita no kana.It really is. I wonder who drew it.
- 蓮 Ren蓮もこんな絵を描いてみたいよ。Ren mo konna e o kaite mitai yo.I want to try drawing a picture like this too.
- 結衣 Yuiいいと思うよ。一緒に練習しよう。Ii to omou yo. Issho ni renshuu shiyou.I think that's a great idea. Let's practice together.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 絵, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
