插图

• Pinyin: chā tú
• Hanzi breakdown: 插 = 扌(hand) + 臿 (spade/phonetic); 图 = 囗 (enclosure) + 啚 (phonetic)

Meaning

Illustration; picture inserted in a text. A visual image accompanying written content.

Refers to any image embedded within a book, article, manual, or publication for the purpose of illustrating or explaining the text. Can be a drawing, photograph, diagram, or chart.

Examples

1. 这本儿童绘本的插图色彩鲜艳，造型生动，深受小朋友喜爱。 The illustrations in this children's picture book are brightly coloured and vividly designed, making it a great favourite with young children.
2. 作者特意请知名插画师为这本历史小说绘制了数十幅精美插图。 The author specially commissioned a well-known illustrator to create dozens of exquisite illustrations for this historical novel.
3. 技术手册中的插图清晰直观，帮助用户快速理解每个操作步骤。 The illustrations in the technical manual are clear and intuitive, helping users quickly understand each operating step.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, education, design, literature, media

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这本教材图文并茂，插图与正文相辅相成，便于学生理解。(This textbook is richly illustrated — the illustrations and text complement each other perfectly, making it easy for students to understand.)
• 请设计师按照文字稿的内容为每个章节配上合适的插图。(Please ask the designer to match each chapter with appropriate illustrations based on the written draft.)

Don't Say

• 他在黑板上画了一幅插图。(插图 specifically refers to illustrations within a printed or published work; for a blackboard drawing use 图示 or 示意图)

Origin & History

插 (to insert) + 图 (picture, diagram). A picture 'inserted' into a text.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal