draw / depict
N2- Onyomi
- ビョウ
- Kunyomi
- えが(く)
- Stroke count
- 11
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Picture a page ruled into a ledger table: that is what 描 means — draw / depict. Now find the part that anchors it in the character itself, 扌 (hand) — a hand reaching in from the left. Drop that part into the picture and the shape stops being something separate to memorise.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 11
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は11画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 11 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
描く
egaku
to depict
描いて
egaite
depict — te-form
描きます
egakimasu
depict — polite present
描かない
egakanai
depict — plain negative
描きました
egakimashita
depict — polite past
描きません
egakimasen
depict — polite negative
Example sentences (2)
彼女は絵を描くのが得意です。
かのじょ は え を えがく の が とくい です。
kanojo wa e o egaku no ga tokui desu.
She is good at drawing pictures.
将来の姿を具体的に描けると、今やるべきことが見えてきます。
しょうらい の すがた を ぐたいてき に えがける と、いま やる べき こと が みえて きます。
shourai no sugata o gutaiteki ni egakeru to, ima yaru beki koto ga miete kimasu.
When you can picture your future self concretely, what you should do now becomes clear.