Translation guide
Describes messy, hurried, or illegible handwriting. In Japanese, this is expressed through verbs, adverbs, and descriptive phrases rather than a single noun.
The action of writing in a careless, hurried, or illegible way.
Literally 'running writing', this is the most common way to say 'to scrawl' or 'to jot down hastily'. It implies speed and messiness.
The resulting messy or illegible writing itself.
走り書き is neutral and simply means writing quickly, often resulting in messiness. 殴り書き adds a nuance of violence or anger, like 'dashing off' in a rough manner. Use 走り書き for everyday hasty notes, and 殴り書き when the writing looks aggressive or extremely careless.
English often uses 'scrawl' as a noun (e.g., 'his scrawl was illegible'). In Japanese, it's more natural to use a verb phrase or describe the handwriting quality (悪筆, 走り書き) rather than a direct noun equivalent.
He scrawled a note.
Literally 'punching writing', this is stronger and more vivid, suggesting violent, rough scrawling. Often used for angry or extremely careless writing.
He scrawled the letter in a fit of anger.
Means 'to write roughly/carelessly'. Focuses on the lack of care rather than speed.
He scrawled his answers on the exam paper.
Literally 'to write violently/roughly'. Similar to 殴り書き but less idiomatic. Can be used for messy handwriting.
The child scrawled graffiti on the wall.
The noun form of 走り書きする. Refers to hastily written, often messy notes or text.
This is his scrawl.
The noun form of 殴り書きする. Emphasizes rough, violent-looking scrawl.
There was a scrawl of graffiti on the wall.
Means 'bad handwriting' or 'poor penmanship'. A general term for illegible writing, not necessarily hurried.
I can't read what it says because of his scrawl.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'writing like worm tracks', a vivid description of messy, wriggly scrawl.
His handwriting is a scrawl like worm tracks.