godan verb (-su), transitive verb
copy; duplicate; reproduce; trace; transcribe
Broad sense of making a copy: reproducing a document, tracing a picture, transcribing text, or duplicating data.
この書類をコピー機で写してください。
Please copy this document with the copier.
彼は地図を紙に丁寧に写した。
He carefully traced the map onto paper.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
describe; depict; portray; express
Used for representing something in words, pictures, or other media; capturing a scene, feeling, or appearance.
その小説は戦争の悲惨さをリアルに写している。
The novel depicts the misery of war realistically.
彼の絵は風景を忠実に写している。
His painting faithfully portrays the landscape.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
To follow something as a model or example; often used with ～に写す or in the pattern ～を手本に写す.
子供は親の行動をそのまま写す。
Children imitate their parents' behavior exactly.
先輩のやり方を手本に写して練習した。
I practiced by modeling after my senior's method.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
take a photo; photograph; film; shoot
Commonly used for taking pictures or filming; 撮る is more frequent in modern Japanese, but 写す is still widely understood and used, especially in compounds like 写真を写す.
旅行先でたくさん写真を写した。
I took many photos at the travel destination.
このカメラで夜景を写すのは難しい。
It's difficult to photograph night scenes with this camera.