描写

びょうしゃ

depiction, description, portrayal

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"描写" (びょうしゃ) refers to the act of depicting or describing something in detail, often used in literature, art, and film contexts. It emphasizes how something is portrayed visually or descriptively.

Common Contexts

You will often see "描写" used when talking about descriptions of scenes, characters, emotions, or settings in novels, movies, or paintings. It highlights the quality and style of the depiction.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 描写が美しい: a beautiful depiction, often praising detailed or vivid descriptions.
  • 描写が細かい: detailed portrayal, focusing on fine details.
  • 感情の描写: depiction of emotions, common in literary analysis.

Nuances

Using "描写" implies a focus on how something is represented, not just mentioned. It often carries a slightly formal or literary tone, suitable for academic or artistic discussions.

Common Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse "描写" with simple "説明" (explanation). Remember, "描写" is about vivid, sensory, or emotional portrayal, while "説明" is more about factual explanation.

Example Sentences

このしょうせつはしぜんのふうけいのびょうしゃがとてもうつくしい。

The depiction of natural scenery in this novel is very beautiful.

かれのびょうしゃはこまかくて、とうじょうじんぶつのかんじょうがよくつたわる。

His portrayal is detailed, and the emotions of the characters come across well.

えいがのびょうしゃがりあるすぎて、まるでじぶんがそのばにいるようだった。

The movie's portrayal was so realistic that it felt like I was actually there.