描Tone 2

miáo ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

描 · miáo

To trace;

to copy;

to depict;

to describe;

to portray;

to sketch;

to outline.

To traceto copyto depict

Usage highlights

To describeTo depictTo traceTo sketchTo outlineTo redraw

Synonyms

畫— to draw; to paint
寫— to write; to describe
摹— to copy; to trace

Antonyms

擦— to erase; to wipe
抹— to smear; to blot out

Usage & contexts

Examples

She traced the outline of the flower (描花).
The writer vividly described the scene (描寫場景).
He is sketching a portrait (描繪肖像).
The artist copied the ancient painting (描摹古畫).

Collocations

To describe(描寫)
To depict(描繪)
To trace(描摹)
To sketch(描畫)
To outline(描邊)
To redraw(描圖)

Idioms

Lightly sketched, lightly colored(輕描淡寫)
To depict meticulously(細緻描摹)
To trace and paint(描龍畫鳳)

Cultural background

Originally referred to the technique of tracing or copying in Chinese painting and calligraphy.
In traditional arts, '描' represents the foundational step of outlining before filling with color.
The character embodies the Chinese artistic principle of careful observation and precise representation.

FAQ