Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

Get the Kotomora apps for iOS and Android.

Explore Words Kanji Grammar Guides About Support Privacy

Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.

図案 (ずあん) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

図ず案あん

ず

あ

ん

JLPTN1›Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

design; sketch; pattern

Refers to a drawn plan or pattern, especially for crafts, textiles, or graphic design. Often used in compound terms like 図案家 (designer) or 図案化 (designing).

彼かの女

じょ

は

新あたら

しい

着き

物もの

の

図ず

案あん

を

描えが

い

て

いる

。

She is drawing a design for a new kimono.

この図ず案あんはとても独どく創そう的てきだ。

This design is very original.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉に図ず案あんを描かくto draw a design on something
布ぬのに花はなの図ず案あんを描かいた。
I drew a floral design on the cloth.
図ず案あんを考かんがえるto come up with a design
新あたらしいロゴの図ず案あんを考かんがえている。
I'm working on a design for the new logo.
図ず案あんを募ぼ集しゅうするto hold a call for design submissions
市しはポスターの図ず案あんを募ぼ集しゅうしている。
The city is soliciting design entries for the poster.

Kanji

図map, drawing, plan
案plan, suggestion, draft

Related words

デザインN3
デザイン is the broad loanword covering industrial, graphic, and fashion design, while 図案 usually refers to a hand-drawn pattern or plan, especially in traditional crafts.
意い匠しょう
意匠 is a more formal, often legal term (as in design patents), while 図案 refers more concretely to the drawn pattern itself.
模も様ようN3
模様 refers to a decorative pattern or motif already on an object, whereas 図案 is the drawn plan or design created before it is applied.
絵え柄がら
図案 refers to a design sketch or plan created for a purpose, while 絵柄 refers to the finished pattern as it appears on an object.

Don't confuse with

下した絵え
下絵 is a preliminary rough sketch or draft, whereas 図案 is a more finished, ready-to-use design or pattern.

Word family

図ず案あん化か
design; stylization; making into a design
図ず案あん家か
designer

Etymology

Compound of 図 (drawing, plan) and 案 (idea, proposal). The word emerged in the Meiji period as a translation for Western concepts of design and pattern.