描く

• Reading: えがく
• Romaji: egaku
• Kanji breakdown: 描 (ega/byou) — draw, depict
• Pronunciation: /e.ɡa.kɯ/

Meaning

To draw; to depict; to describe. Creating visual art or portraying something in words.

A Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated as 描か/描き/描く/描け/描こう. With the reading えがく, it covers both literal drawing/painting and figurative depiction in writing or film. Also read as かく (more casual, focused on physical drawing). 描写 (byousha) is the related noun meaning 'depiction.' Common pattern: 夢を描く (to envision a dream).

Examples

1. この映画は戦争の悲しみを描いている。 This movie depicts the sadness of war.
2. 子供たちが自由に絵を描いている。 The children are freely drawing pictures.
3. 将来の夢を描くことは大切だ。 It's important to envision your future dreams.

Usage Guide

Context: art, literature, film

Tone: creative

Origin & History

The kanji 描 combines 手 (hand radical) and 苗 (seedling/sketch), suggesting a hand creating delicate outlines — like sketching the fine lines of a young plant.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal