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Words Kanji Guides About

挿画 (そうが) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

挿そう画が

そ

う

が

Meanings

1

noun

book illustration; inserted picture

Refers to an illustration inserted into a book or publication, often a full-page plate or a figure within the text.

この小しょう説せつには美うつくしい挿そう画がが何なん枚まいも入はいっている。
This novel contains many beautiful illustrations.
挿そう画がを担たん当とうした画が家かは有ゆう名めいな人ひとだ。
The artist who did the illustrations is famous.

Kanji

挿insert, put in, graft
画brush-stroke, picture

Similar words

イラスト
イラスト is a broader, more casual term for any illustration, while 挿画 specifically refers to illustrations inserted into books or publications.
図ず版はん
図版 is a more technical term for a plate or figure in a book, often used in academic or reference contexts.

Etymology

Compound of 挿 (insert) and 画 (picture). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning of an illustration inserted into a book.