描写

• Pinyin: miáo xiě
• Hanzi breakdown: 描 = 扌(hand) + 苗 (seedling, phonetic) — to sketch; 写 = 宀 (roof) + 与 (give) — to write

Meaning

To describe; to depict; to portray. To represent someone or something in words, especially in a literary or artistic way.

More literary than 描述. Used for vivid, artistic depiction in writing — novels, essays, poems, and creative work. Often paired with 人物 (characters), 景色 (scenery), or 心理 (psychology). 描写手法 refers to literary techniques of description. A key term in Chinese language arts education.

Examples

1. 这篇文章生动地描写了乡村的生活。 This article vividly depicts life in the countryside.
2. 作者用细腻的笔触描写了人物的内心世界。 The author used delicate strokes to portray the characters' inner world.
3. 老师让我们描写一个难忘的人。 The teacher asked us to write a description of an unforgettable person.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, education, writing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这首诗描写了春天的美景。(This poem depicts the beautiful scenery of spring.)
• 他的小说擅长描写人物性格。(His novels excel at portraying characters' personalities.)

Don't Say

• 警察让我描写那个人 — for factual reporting to police, use 描述 instead; 描写 implies artistic or literary portrayal

Origin & History

描 means 'to trace' or 'to sketch' and 写 means 'to write.' Together they describe painting a picture with words.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal