草稿(そうこう)

そうこう
noun
draft; manuscript; rough copy
1. draft; manuscript; rough copy
A preliminary version of a written work before it is finalized, such as a speech, essay, or book.
草稿(そうこう)を書(か)く。
To write a draft.
スピーチの草稿(そうこう)を練(ね)り直(なお)した。
I reworked the draft of my speech.
小説(しょうせつ)の草稿(そうこう)が見(み)つかり、作家(さっか)の創作(そうさく)過程(かてい)が明(あき)らかになった。
The discovery of the novel's manuscript shed light on the author's creative process.

Composed of 草(そう) (grass/rough) + 稿(こう) (manuscript), where 草(そう) conveys the sense of 'rough' or 'preliminary.' A somewhat literary or formal word for a draft.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 草稿(そうこう)を書(か)く: to write a draft
  • 草稿(そうこう)を練(ね)る: to work on a draft
  • 草稿(そうこう)段階(だんかい): draft stage
  • 草稿(そうこう)を残(のこ)す: to leave behind a manuscript

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 下書(したが)き: draft, rough copy — more everyday; commonly used for casual writing and email drafts
  • 原稿(げんこう): manuscript, copy — broader term; refers to any text prepared for publication or submission
  • ドラフト: draft — loanword used especially in business and digital contexts
general
Added 2026.3.30 23:25
20500/20723_soukou