Translation guide
The act of drawing casually or absentmindedly, often while doing something else. Japanese has several verbs and phrases to express this, depending on the nuance.
I was doodling in my notebook while on the phone.
Literally 'mischievous drawing', similar to 'scribbling' or 'doodling' in a playful sense.
I was doodling during the meeting.
Implies quick, hasty scribbling, often of words or rough sketches. Less common for purely visual doodles.
He scribbled a doodle in the margin of his notes.
To draw small, often cute or simple pictures, like cartoon characters or icons.
General phrase for 'draw a picture'. When used with adverbs like ちょっと or 適当に, it conveys casual doodling.
I was doodling a little in my notebook during class.
Specifically for drawing illustrations, often with a slightly more deliberate feel, but can be used for casual doodles.
To fill areas with lines or shading without a clear subject, often while thinking.
落書き is the standard word for doodling, but can also mean graffiti. いたずら書き emphasizes the playful, idle nature of the act. In most casual contexts, 落書き is perfectly fine.
Adding adverbs like ちょっと (a little), 適当に (casually), or なんとなく (without thinking) before 描く helps convey the absentminded nature of doodling.
I like doodling illustrations when I have free time.
I drew circles in the margin and doodled by coloring them in.