Translation guide
The English verb "depict" means to represent or show something in a picture, story, or description. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the medium (visual, verbal, or symbolic) and the nuance (objective description vs. vivid portrayal).
To show someone or something in a picture, painting, photograph, or other visual medium.
The most common verb for drawing, painting, or depicting visually. Can be used for both physical and mental images.
This picture depicts Mt. Fuji.
He depicted the horrors of war in a painting.
More formal and often used for detailed or realistic depiction in art, literature, or film. Emphasizes descriptive accuracy.
The painting depicts a rural landscape in detail.
Means 'to express' or 'to represent'. Used when a visual work symbolizes or conveys an abstract idea.
This sculpture depicts peace.
To describe someone or something in words, especially in a vivid or detailed way.
The standard verb for depicting through words. Used in literature, journalism, and everyday description.
The novel vividly depicts 19th-century London.
The article depicted the circumstances of the accident in detail.
Also used for verbal depiction, often with a literary or imaginative nuance. Similar to 'portray' in English.
Means 'to express'. Used when the focus is on conveying emotions or abstract concepts through description.
To show something using symbols, charts, or diagrams.
To represent a character or scene in a movie, play, or other performance.
描く (えがく) is broader and can be used for both visual and verbal depiction, often with a creative or imaginative nuance. 描写する (びょうしゃする) is more formal and emphasizes detailed, accurate description, commonly used in literary criticism or technical contexts.
描写する can sound stiff in everyday conversation. For casual talk about what a picture shows, 描く or even simple phrases like ～が描いてある (～がえがいてある) are more natural.
著者は理想の社会を描いた。
The author depicted an ideal society.
His poem depicts deep sorrow.
この記号は危険を表す。
This symbol depicts danger.
そのドラマは家族の絆を感動的に描いている。
The drama movingly depicts family bonds.