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かたどる Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb, intransitive verb
model after ; be shaped like ; imitate
usually written using kana alone
Used when something is created to resemble or copy the form of something else. Can be used transitively (〜をかたどる) or intransitively (〜にかたどる). Often appears in passive or stative constructions.
彼かれ は 師し 匠しょう の 作さく 風ふう を かたどっ て 作さく 品ひん を 作つく っ た 。
He created a work imitating his master's style.
2
godan verb (-ru), transitive verb, intransitive verb
symbolize ; represent
usually written using kana alone
Used when something abstract (an idea, quality, etc.) is represented in a concrete form. Often found in literary or descriptive contexts.
Written forms かたどる Usage 62%
Usually written in kana; the kanji spellings are less common.
象かたど る Usage 24%
Kanji spelling using 象 (shape/image); acceptable but less common than kana.
形かた どる Usage 13%
search-only kanji form
Search-only kanji form; not a standard spelling.
模かたど る
Rare kanji spelling using 模 (model/imitate).
形かた 取ど る
Rare kanji spelling combining 形 (shape) and 取る (take).
Kanji 象 elephant, pattern after, imitate Similar words 似に せる 似せる means to make something resemble something else, often with intent to copy or mimic. かたどる emphasizes shaping or modeling after a form, and can be used for abstract representation.
象しょう 徴ちょう する 象徴する is a more formal and direct way to say 'symbolize'. かたどる in sense 2 is more literary and implies giving concrete shape to an abstract concept.
Etymology Derived from 形 (かた, 'shape') + 取る (とる, 'take'), literally 'to take a shape'. The kanji 象 and 模 are later associations based on meaning.
take, fetch, take up
