Meaning and Usage
"写し" (うつし) primarily means a copy or duplicate of an original item, such as documents, paintings, or texts. It is often used in formal or official contexts when referring to copies made for submission or record-keeping.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "写し" used when talking about paperwork, like making a photocopy of an important document or submitting a copy instead of the original. It can also refer to artistic reproductions, such as copies of paintings or calligraphy.
Collocations and Patterns
- 写しを取る: to make a copy (of a document or image)
- 写しを提出する: to submit a copy (instead of the original)
- 原本の写し: a copy of the original
Register and Nuance
"写し" is a neutral to formal noun. It is polite and appropriate in business, academic, and official settings. Avoid using casual synonyms like "コピー" when you want to sound more formal or precise.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "写し" with "写す" (the verb meaning "to copy" or "to photograph"). Remember that "写し" is a noun referring to the copy itself, not the action of copying.