Translation guide
The English word 'painting' can refer to the act of creating a picture with paint, or to the finished artwork itself. Japanese distinguishes these carefully, and also has specific words for different painting styles and contexts.
Her hobby is painting.
Refers to the act of painting as an artistic pursuit, often used in contexts like 'I like painting' or 'painting is fun'. Can also mean 'painter'.
I love painting and do it every day.
Specifically the act of oil painting.
Oil painting takes time.
Referring to the finished product: a picture made with paint.
The most common word for a picture or painting. Covers drawings and paintings alike.
There is a beautiful painting on the wall.
A more formal term for a painting as a work of art, often used in galleries or art criticism.
Specifically an oil painting.
Traditional Japanese-style painting.
Watercolor painting.
Referring to painting in the abstract, as an art form or discipline.
絵 (え) is the everyday word for any picture, including drawings and paintings. 絵画 (かいが) is more formal and specifically refers to paintings as fine art. Use 絵 in casual conversation, and 絵画 when discussing art seriously.
The child drew a picture.
This painting is expensive.
ペインティング is a loanword used mainly in art jargon or specific phrases like 'アクションペインティング' (action painting). For normal contexts, use 絵 or 絵画.
I enjoy painting on weekends.
That painting is a masterpiece.
この絵画は19世紀のものです。
This painting is from the 19th century.
彼は油絵を何枚も描いた。
He painted many oil paintings.
I went to an exhibition of Japanese paintings.
水彩画は透明感が美しいです。
Watercolor paintings have a beautiful transparency.
His painting is original.