Translation and Meaning of: 書く - kaku

The Japanese word 書く[かく] is an essential verb for anyone learning the language, as it means "to write." Whether to jot down ideas, fill out forms, or simply practice calligraphy, understanding its meaning, origin, and use in everyday Japanese is fundamental. In this article, we will explore everything from the composition of the kanji to practical tips for memorizing it, as well as curiosities about how it is perceived by native speakers.

Meaning and usage of 書く

The verb 書く is used in everyday situations that involve writing, whether by hand or digitally. It can appear in formal contexts, such as filling out documents, or informal ones, like jotting down a note. Unlike other terms that involve textual creation, such as 描く (to draw), 書く is directly related to the writing of words and texts.

Uma curiosidade interessante é que, embora o Japão seja um país com forte tradição caligráfica, o uso de 書く não se restringe apenas à escrita artística. Ele é tão comum quanto o verbo "escrever", aparecendo em conversas cotidianas, materiais escolares e até em instruções de aparelhos eletrônicos.

Origin and composition of kanji

The kanji 書 is composed of the radical 聿 (fude), which represents a writing brush, combined with 者 (person). This structure suggests the idea of "someone who uses the brush," reinforcing its connection to writing. According to the Kangorin dictionary, this character originated in ancient China and was adapted to Japanese with the same meaning.

It is worth noting that 書く is one of the first kanjis learned by students, precisely because of its practical utility. Its kun'yomi reading (かく) is the most common, but it can also be read as "sho" in compounds, such as 辞書 (jisho – dictionary). This duality of readings is an important aspect for those who want to master its usage.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to remember 書く is to associate it with concrete actions. For example, when picking up a notebook to jot down something, mentally repeat "書く". This contextual association technique helps to memorize not only the meaning but also the pronunciation and the kanji.

Another tip is to pay attention to the compounds in which 書 appears, such as 読書 (reading) or 書道 (calligraphy). These words show how the radical connects to other concepts related to writing. In Suki Nihongo, you can find real examples of sentences with 書く to practice in various contexts.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 書く

• 書く - Conjugation in affirmative present base form
• 書かない - Negative present conjugation
• 書いた - Past tense conjugation
• 書きます - Formal present affirmative conjugation
• 書きません - Formal negative present conjugation
• 書こう - Conjugation in the conditional or volitive form

Synonyms and similar words

• 記す (Kisusu) - Register, note down
• 筆する (Hitsu suru) - Write, use a pen or brush
• 書き記す (Kakishirusu) - Write and record, note something in detail.
• 筆記する (Hikki suru) - Take notes, write with a pen
• 下書きする (Shita-gaki suru) - Make a sketch, draft
• 筆を執る (Fude o toru) - Hold the pen, start writing.
• 書き込む (Kakikomu) - Fill in, write in a designated space
• 筆をとる (Fude o toru) - Start writing, grab the pen
• 筆を走らせる (Fude o hashiraseru) - Let the pen flow, write fluently.
• 筆を運ぶ (Fude o hakobu) - Transport the pen, move to write

書く

Romaji: kaku
Kana: かく
Type: verb
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: write

Meaning in English: to write

Definition: Something created by writing letters or symbols on paper or other surfaces with a brush or pencil.

Example Sentences - (書く) kaku

See below some example sentences:

記号を使って文章を書くのは楽しいです。

Kigō o tsukatte bunshō o kaku no wa tanoshii desu

It's fun to write sentences using symbols.

It's fun to use a symbol to write sentences.

• 記号 (kigou) - symbol
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 使って (tsukatte) - using
• 文章 (bunshou) - text, sentence
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 書く (kaku) - write
• のは (no wa) - Topic particle
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - Fun, pleasant
• です (desu) - to be (polite form)

私は随筆を書くことが好きです。

Watashi wa zuihitsu o kaku koto ga suki desu

I like to write essays.

I like to write an essay.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle, which indicates the subject of the sentence
• 随筆 - noun that means "essay" or "personal writing"
• を - direct object particle, which indicates the object of the action
• 書く - Verb meaning "to write"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "action"
• が - subject particle, which indicates who performs the action
• 好き - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です - auxiliary verb that indicates the polite or respectful form of the sentence

私は万年筆で手紙を書くのが好きです。

Watashi wa mannenhitsu de tegami o kaku no ga suki desu

I like to write a letter with a fountain pen.

I like to write a letter with a fountain pen.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence
• 万年筆 (mannenhitsu) - noun meaning "fountain pen"
• で (de) - particle that indicates the means or tool used
• 手紙 (tegami) - noun meaning "letter"
• を (wo) - Particle that marks the direct object of the sentence
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"
• の (no) - particle indicating the nominalization of the verb
• が (ga) - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• 好き (suki) - The adjective that means "to like" is "gostoso" or "agradável."
• です (desu) - linking verb that indicates formality and the present tense

「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」

Bunpou ga tadashii bunshou wo kaku koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to write the correct sentence.

• 「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」
• 「」 - Japanese quotation marks
• 文法 - Word that means "grammar"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 正しい - adjective meaning "correct"
• 文章 - Noun that means "phrase" or "text"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く - Verb meaning "to write"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - Verb that indicates the state or condition of the sentence

シナリオを書くのはとても楽しいです。

Shinario wo kaku no wa totemo tanoshii desu

Writing a script is very fun.

Writing a scenario is a lot of fun.

• シナリオ (shinario) - It means "script" or "scenario" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - Direct object particle in Japanese
• 書く (kaku) - The verb that means "to write" in Japanese is 書く (kaku).
• のは (no wa) - Japanese topic particle
• とても (totemo) - adverb meaning "very" in Japanese
• 楽しい (tanoshii) - 楽しい
• です (desu) - verb to be in Japanese

年賀状を書くのが楽しみです。

Nengajou wo kaku no ga tanoshimi desu

I am excited to write New Year's cards.

I am excited to write a New Year's card.

• 年賀状 - New Year's card
• を - object particle
• 書く - write
• のが - nominal particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 楽しみ - Prazer, diversão
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

短編小説を書くのが好きです。

Tanchen shōsetsu o kaku no ga suki desu

I like to write short stories.

I like to write short novels.

• 短編小説 - short story
• を - direct object particle
• 書く - write
• の - Noun particle
• が - subject particle
• 好き - like
• です - verb ser/ estar in the present polite

私は毎日日記を書く。

Watashi wa mainichi nikki o kaku

I write a diary every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 日記 (nikki) - noun meaning "diary"
• を (wo) - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"

私は論文を書くのが苦手です。

Watashi wa ronbun o kaku no ga nigate desu

I have a hard time writing articles.

I'm not good at writing a dissertation.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 論文 (ronbun) - It means "academic work" or "thesis" in Japanese.
• を (wo) - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• 書く (kaku) - Verb meaning "to write"
• のが (noga) - particle that indicates that the sentence is an explanation or justification.
• 苦手 (nigate) - adjective that means "not being good at something", "having difficulty"
• です (desu) - Verb "to be" in polite form

私は小説を書くのが好きです。

Watashi wa shousetsu wo kaku no ga suki desu

I like writing novels.

• 私 - Japanese personal pronoun meaning "I".
• は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I".
• 小説 - Japanese noun that means "romance" or "novel".
• を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case, "to write."
• 書く - Japanese verb that means "to write".
• のが - Japanese particle that indicates the nominal subject function of the sentence, in this case, "to write".
• 好き - Japanese adjective that means "to like."
• です - Japanese verb that indicates the current state or action, in this case, "to like".