絵(え)

え

noun

picture, drawing, painting

1. picture, drawing, painting

A visual representation created by drawing, painting, or other artistic means.

子供(こども)が絵(え)を描(か)いている。

The child is drawing a picture.

この絵(え)は有名(ゆうめい)な画家(がか)の作品(さくひん)です。

This painting is a work by a famous artist.

壁(かべ)に絵(え)を飾(かざ)った。

I hung a picture on the wall.

絵(え)を見(み)るのが好(す)きです。

I like looking at paintings.

美術館(びじゅつかん)で絵(え)を見(み)た。

I saw paintings at the art museum.

油絵(あぶらえ)を習(なら)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(えほん)を読(よ)む。

To read a picture book.

絵本 (えほん) = picture book

この本(ほん)は絵(え)がたくさんある。

This book has many illustrations.

説明(せつめい)の絵(え)を見(み)てください。

Please look at the illustration in the explanation.

絵(え)はがきを送(おく)った。

I sent a picture postcard.

教科書(きょうかしょ)の絵(え)を見(み)ながら、先生(せんせい)の話(はなし)を聞(き)いた。

I listened to the teacher while looking at the illustrations in the textbook.

絵(え) is the everyday word for pictures and drawings.

Common patterns

絵(え)を描(か)く (to draw/paint a picture)
絵(え)を見(み)る (to look at a picture)
絵(え)を飾(かざ)る (to display a picture)

Compounds

絵本(えほん) (picture book)
絵(え)はがき (picture postcard)
油絵(あぶらえ) (oil painting)
水彩画(すいさいが) (watercolor painting)

Similar words

絵(え): picture (casual, everyday)
絵画(かいが): painting (formal, art context)
画(が): painting (in compounds like 漫画(まんが), 映画(えいが))

Related Words

Related: 絵画(かいが) (painting (formal))

Related: 画家(がか) (painter, artist)

Compare: 画像(がぞう) (image, picture)

Compare: デッサン ((pencil or charcoal) drawing)

basic

Added 2026.1.11 15:43 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29

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