1.
to draw, to paint
To create pictures or images.
絵を描く。
To draw a picture.
子供が花の絵を描いた。
The child drew a picture of a flower.
鳥が空に円を描いて飛んでいる。
The bird is flying in circles in the sky.
2.
to depict, to describe
To represent or portray in words.
小説は戦争を描いている。
The novel depicts war.
この映画は家族の絆を描いている。
This movie depicts family bonds.
作者は人間の心を深く描いた。
The author deeply portrayed the human heart.
3.
to imagine, to picture
To form a mental image.
未来を描く。
To envision the future.
理想の生活を頭の中で描く。
I picture my ideal life in my head.
子供の頃に描いた夢を今も覚えている。
I still remember the dreams I had as a child.
描く is a godan verb with three related meanings: to draw/paint, to depict/portray, and to imagine/envision.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Pattern: 〜を描く
SENSE 1 - TO DRAW/PAINT:
- 絵を描く: to draw a picture
- 円を描く: to draw a circle
- 肖像画を描く: to paint a portrait
SENSE 2 - TO DEPICT/PORTRAY:
- 小説が戦争を描く: the novel depicts war
- 人間の心を描く: to portray the human heart
SENSE 3 - TO IMAGINE/ENVISION:
- 未来を描く: to envision the future
- 夢を描く: to imagine a dream
READING NOTES:
- 描く (egaku): more literary/abstract
- 描く (kaku): same kanji, simpler/concrete
- 書く (kaku): different kanji = to write