脱稿

• Reading: だっこう
• Romaji: dakkō
• Kanji breakdown: 脱 (datsu/nu) — escape, remove; 稿 (kō) — draft, manuscript, straw
• Pronunciation: /dak.koː/

Meaning

Completion of a manuscript; finishing a draft. The moment when an author hands over or completes the writing of a text.

Used as a noun and する-verb (脱稿する). 脱稿 specifically marks the completion of the writing stage, before editing and publication. It carries a strong sense of relief and accomplishment. Common in the discourse of professional writers, journalists, and academics. The opposite concept is 入稿 (nyūkō — submitting the final manuscript to the printer).

Examples

1. 三年越しで書き続けた長編小説がついに脱稿した。 The novel I had been writing for three years was finally completed.
2. 脱稿後も推敲を重ねて、納得のいく原稿に仕上げた。 Even after finishing the manuscript, I continued to revise it until I was satisfied with the result.
3. 締め切り直前に脱稿し、編集者に送ったときの達成感は格別だった。 The sense of accomplishment when I completed the manuscript just before the deadline and sent it to the editor was extraordinary.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, publishing, journalism, academia

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 脱 (to escape, remove) and 稿 (draft, manuscript). The image is of 'breaking free from the manuscript' — completing the act of writing and releasing the text.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Writers and scholars

Social background: Professional