草 稿(そうこう)

そうこう

noun

draft; manuscript; rough copy

formallanguage

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

Related Words

Compare: 下書(したが)き (draft, rough copy)

Compare: 原稿(げんこう) (manuscript, copy)

Compare: ドラフト (draft)

general

Added 2026.3.30 23:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

20500/20723_soukou