1.
picture, drawing, painting
A visual representation created by drawing, painting, or other artistic means.
子供が絵を描いている。
The child is drawing a picture.
この絵は有名な画家の作品です。
This painting is a work by a famous artist.
壁に絵を飾った。
I hung a picture on the wall.
絵を見るのが好きです。
I like looking at paintings.
美術館で絵を見た。
I saw paintings at the art museum.
油絵を習っている。
I'm learning oil painting.
2.
illustration, image
A picture in a book or document that explains or decorates the text.
絵本を読む。
To read a picture book.
絵本 (えほん) = picture book
この本は絵がたくさんある。
This book has many illustrations.
説明の絵を見てください。
Please look at the illustration in the explanation.
絵はがきを送った。
I sent a picture postcard.
教科書の絵を見ながら、先生の話を聞いた。
I listened to the teacher while looking at the illustrations in the textbook.
絵 is the everyday word for pictures and drawings.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 絵を描く (to draw/paint a picture)
- 絵を見る (to look at a picture)
- 絵を飾る (to display a picture)
COMPOUND WORDS:
- 絵本 (picture book)
- 絵はがき (picture postcard)
- 油絵 (oil painting)
- 水彩画 (watercolor painting)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 絵: picture (casual, everyday)
- 絵画: painting (formal, art context)
- 画: painting (in compounds like 漫画, 映画)