圖畫 / 图画
túhuà
In Chinese, 'painting' is translated as 圖畫 / 图画 (túhuà). If unsure, use 圖畫 / 图画. Wiktionary also lists 畫幅 / 画幅 (huàfú) and 畫兒 / 画儿 (huàr).
Meaning: an illustration or artwork using paint (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 圖畫 / 图画 | túhuà |
| 畫幅 / 画幅 | huàfú |
| 畫兒 / 画儿 | huàr |
The standard term for an illustration or artwork is 圖畫 / 图画. If you wish to refer specifically to the act of painting or drawing, the formal term 绘画 (huìhuà) is used. For a more poetic or classical effect, especially when discussing traditional Chinese art or in literature, you may use 丹青 (dānqīng).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 圖畫 / 图画 is composed of 圖 (tú), meaning 'picture/diagram' and 畫 (huà), meaning 'to draw/paint'.
Which one should you use?
While 圖畫 / 图画 refers to the artwork itself, 畫幅 / 画幅 is typically used to refer to the physical dimensions or the format of a painting.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, the term for painting is 畫 (waa2). In northern China, the colloquial term 畫兒 / 画儿 is widely used.
How do you pronounce it?
túhuà
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese painting, the 'white space' left intentionally empty is considered a vital 'painting' element called 留白 (liúbái).
- The classical term 丹青 (dānqīng) literally translates to 'red and cyan', referring to the specific mineral pigments used in ancient Chinese artwork.
- While 圖畫 / 图画 describes the art, the word 圖 (tú) is also used for 'maps' and 'charts', as these were historically categorized as paintings.
Examples in context
- Mona Lisa 的画 (Mónàlìsī de huà)The painting of Mona Lisa
- 我喜欢画画 (wǒ xǐhuān huà huà)I like to paint
- 她正在画一幅风景画 (tā zhèngzài huà yī fú fēngjǐng huà)She is currently painting a landscape painting
Sources
- Wiktionary, “painting” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
