1.
concreteness; concrete representation
The quality of being concrete, tangible, or having a specific form, as opposed to being abstract or conceptual.
具象的に説明してください。
Please explain it concretely.
抽象を具象に変える力が大切だ。
The ability to turn the abstract into the concrete is important.
彼の考えを具象化するのは難しい。
It's difficult to give concrete form to his ideas.
2.
representational art; figurative art
In art, refers to representational or figurative work that depicts recognizable subjects, as opposed to abstract art.
具象画が好きです。
I like representational painting.
この美術館は具象と抽象の両方を展示している。
This art museum exhibits both figurative and abstract works.
具象彫刻の展覧会が開かれている。
An exhibition of figurative sculpture is being held.
Composed of 具 (tool, means, to be furnished with) and 象 (image, form). The word contrasts directly with 抽象 (abstract). Can function as a noun or as the stem for the na-adjective 具象的.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 具象的: concrete, tangible (adjectival form)
- 具象化: concretization, making concrete
- 具象画: representational painting
- 具象彫刻: figurative sculpture
- 具象表現: concrete expression
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 具体: concrete, specific — more common in everyday usage; 具象 is more literary and art-related
- 抽象: abstract — the direct opposite
- 写実: realism — in art, focuses on faithful depiction; overlaps with 具象 but emphasizes accuracy