寫 (xiě) - To write & to compose

寫Tone 3

xiě ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

寫 · xiě

To write;

to compose;

to describe;

to draw;

to paint;

to copy;

to transcribe.

To writeto composeto describe

Usage highlights

Write charactersWrite an articleCopy writingWrite poetryWrite a reportWrite a diary

Synonyms

  • 书— to write; book
  • 记— to record; write down
  • 描— to trace; depict

Antonyms

  • 读— to read
  • 擦— to erase
  • 删— to delete

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • I need to write a letter (写信).
  • She enjoys writing calligraphy (写书法).
  • He is writing a novel (写小说).
  • Please write down your name (写名字).
  • The artist is sketching (写生).

Collocations

  • Write characters(写字)
  • Write an article(写文章)
  • Copy writing(抄写)
  • Write poetry(写诗)
  • Write a report(写报告)
  • Write a diary(写日记)

Idioms

  • To write with ease, as if aided by a deity(妙笔生写)
  • To write realistically, capturing the spirit(传神写照)
  • To write or paint directly from life(写生传神)
  • Lightly sketched, lightly colored(轻描淡写)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted a bird spreading its wings, later borrowed for 'to write'.
  • In calligraphy, 写 emphasizes the action and artistry of writing characters.
  • Used in both literary and artistic contexts, connecting writing with visual representation.

FAQ