書く
kaku[ka̠kɯ̟]
The Japanese phrase for "to write" is 書く (kaku).
書く is used for writing with a tool like a pen or brush.
Which one should you use?
書く is used for writing with a tool like a pen or brush, whereas 描く is used for drawing or sketching.
How does it change in a sentence?
The negative form of 書く is 書かない (do not write), and the past tense is 書いた (wrote). To express that someone is currently in the process of writing, use the continuous form 書いている (is writing).
How do you pronounce it?
kaku
Did you know?
- The word 書く shares the same sound and origin as 掻く, which means 'to scratch'. This is because writing was historically performed by scratching characters into wood or stone.
- Traditional Japanese calligraphy, known as 書道 (the way of writing), is treated as a meditative spiritual discipline rather than just a method of recording text.
- When writing in Japanese, the direction can change from vertical columns read right-to-left to horizontal lines read left-to-right depending on the document type.
Examples in context
- 書く紙ちょうだい。Give me some paper to write on.This sentence is useful for requesting paper to use with 書く.Tatoeba #11394875 by small_snow, translation #267135 by CK
- 書くものが欲しいな。I need something to write with.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for something to use for 書く.Tatoeba #147423 by bunbuku, translation #25087 by CK
- 君は本を書くべきだ。You ought to write a book.This sentence shows how to use 書く when suggesting someone should write a book.Tatoeba #3357696 by arnab, translation #3356443 by CK
- 私は手紙を書きます。I write letters.
- 申請書をお書きになってください。Please write the application form.
- メモを書いたよ。I wrote a memo.
- 64 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are at a library.
- 健太 Kentaここに名前を書く？Koko ni namae o kaku?Do I write my name here?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、そこに書いてね。Un, soko ni kaite ne.Yes, please write it there.
- 健太 Kentaペンを忘れた。どうしよう。Pen o wasureta. Dou shiyou.I forgot my pen. What should I do?
- 陽葵 Himari私のペンを貸してあげるよ。Watashi no pen o kashite ageru yo.I will lend you my pen.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 書く, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 書く, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
