なぞる

な

ぞ

る

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

なぞる · godan verb (-ru)

Meanings

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

trace; follow a line

Physically tracing over a drawing, pattern, or line, often with a pen or finger.

godan verb (-ru), transitive verb

Following a model or precedent closely, often without originality; can be used for actions, styles, or ideas.

〈物もの〉を指ゆびでなぞるto trace something with one's finger
地ち図ずの道みちを指ゆびでなぞってみた。
I traced the road on the map with my finger.
輪りん郭かくをなぞるto trace the outline (of a shape or drawing)
子こ供どもが絵えの輪りん郭かくをなぞって色いろを塗ぬった。
The child traced the outline of the picture and colored it in.
手て本ほんをなぞるto trace/follow a model or example closely
習しゅう字じでは先せん生せいの手て本ほんをなぞって字じを練れん習しゅうする。
In calligraphy practice, you trace the teacher's model to practice writing characters.
前ぜん例れいをなぞるto follow (repeat) a precedent without change
この政せい策さくは過か去この前ぜん例れいをなぞるだけだ。
This policy just repeats past precedent without any originality.

真似まねるN2sense 2
真似る is a general word for imitating behavior or appearance, while なぞる emphasizes physically tracing or reproducing a fixed model or line without deviation.
模も倣ほうN1sense 2
模倣する is a formal, often written word for imitating a style or method, whereas なぞる is more everyday and can also mean literally tracing a line.
写うつすN4sense 1
写す means to copy or transcribe something (like text or a design), while なぞる specifically implies moving a pen or finger along an existing line.
トレース
なぞる is the native Japanese verb for physically tracing over a line or shape by hand, while トレース is often used for technical or digital tracing (drawings, execution paths).

なじるN1
なじる sounds similar to なぞる but means to reproach or scold someone, not to trace or imitate.
撫なでるN3sense 1
撫でる means to stroke or pat something gently, while なぞる specifically means to trace along a fixed line or shape.

The origin is uncertain; it may be related to the verb なぞらえる (to liken, to compare).