Translation and Meaning of: 絵 - e

If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, you may have come across the word 絵[え]. This simple yet meaningful word is essential for those who want to understand more about art and visual expression in Japan. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, everyday use, and even some cultural curiosities surrounding it. Whether to enrich your vocabulary or satisfy your curiosity, here at Suki Nihongo you will find the answers you are looking for.

The meaning and origin of 絵[え]

The word 絵[え] simply means "picture" or "painting" in Japanese. It is used to refer to any type of visual representation, from children's drawings to renowned works of art. The kanji 絵 is composed of the radical 糸 (thread, line) and 会 (meeting), suggesting the idea of something created from strokes and lines that come together to form an image.

Although its origin dates back to classical Chinese, kanji was adapted to Japanese and gained its own meaning in local culture. Unlike other words that may have more abstract meanings, 絵[え] is quite direct and objective, being widely used in everyday life.

How 絵[え] is used in everyday Japanese life.

In Japan, the word 絵[え] appears in various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal settings. For example, you might hear someone say "この絵はきれいですね" (Kono e wa kirei desu ne – "This painting is beautiful, isn't it?") in a museum or gallery. It is also common in expressions such as 絵本[えほん] (picture book) and 絵画[かいが] (art painting).

In addition, 絵[え] is often used in combination with other kanjis to form specific terms related to art and illustration. Its simplicity and versatility make it a fundamental word for anyone wanting to communicate about visual themes in Japanese.

Trivia and tips for memorizing 絵[え]

An effective way to memorize the kanji 絵 is to remember its structure: the radical 糸 (ito - thread) appears in other kanjis related to art, such as 紙[かみ] (kami - paper), while 会 (kai - meeting) reinforces the idea of something being created from elements that come together. This association can help establish the meaning in a more intuitive way.

Another interesting fact is that, in Japan, the word 絵[え] is not limited to traditional paintings. It is also used to refer to digital illustrations, comics, and even animations, showing how the Japanese language absorbs new forms of expression without losing its essence.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 絵画 (Kaiga) - Painting, the art of painting in general.
• ペインティング (Peintingu) - Term borrowed from English, referring to the process or act of painting.
• 絵図 (Ezu) - Illustration, an image that represents something, often in a more technical or descriptive context.
• 絵画作品 (Kaiga sakuhin) - Artwork of the painting.
• 絵画芸術 (Kaiga geijutsu) - Art of paintings, emphasizing artistic expression.
• 絵画技法 (Kaiga gihou) - Painting techniques, referring to the methods used in creating paintings.
• 絵画表現 (Kaiga hyougen) - Expression in painting, emphasizing how an idea or feeling is conveyed through painting.
• 絵画制作 (Kaiga seisaku) - Creation or production of painting works.
• 絵画描写 (Kaiga byousha) - Description of the painting, referring to ways of portraying or describing painted images.
• 絵画表現技法 (Kaiga hyougen gihou) - Painting expression techniques, specific methods used to convey meanings.
• 絵画作品制作 (Kaiga sakuhin seisaku) - Production of works of art in painting.
• 絵画芸術作品 (Kaiga geijutsu sakuhin) - Works of art that belong to the field of visual arts.
• 絵画芸術表現 (Kaiga geijutsu hyougen) - Artistic expression of painting, focusing on art as a means of communication.
• 絵画芸術技法 (Kaiga geijutsu gihou) - Artistic painting techniques, methods used within the artistic context.
• 絵画芸術描写 (Kaiga geijutsu byousha) - Artistic description of the painting, emphasizing the interpretation of works of art.
• 絵画芸術表現技法 (Kaiga geijutsu hyougen gihou) - Techniques of artistic expression in painting, specific methods to communicate feelings.
• 絵画芸術作品制作 (Kaiga geijutsu sakuhin seisaku) - Production of works of art in the field of pictorial arts.

絵

Romaji: e
Kana: え
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: image; design; painting; outline

Meaning in English: picture;drawing;painting;sketch

Definition: Draw or describe things, scenarios, people, etc.

Example Sentences - (絵) e

See below some example sentences:

絵画は美しいです。

Egawaga wa utsukushii desu

The painting is beautiful.

The painting is beautiful.

• 絵画 (kaiga) - Painting
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 美しい (utsukushii) - Beautiful, lovely
• です (desu) - verb to be in the polite form

この絵は枠に合わせて飾ってください。

Kono e wa waku ni awasete kazatte kudasai

Please put this image framed on the wall.

Please decorate this photo according to the board.

• この - this
• 絵 - image
• は - Topic particle
• 枠 - frame
• に - target particle
• 合わせて - adjust, combine
• 飾って - hang, decorate
• ください - please, please about

この絵画の感触はとても美しいです。

Kono kaiga no kanshoku wa totemo utsukushii desu

The feel of this frame is very beautiful.

The feel of this painting is very beautiful.

• この - indicates "this" or "this one"
• 絵画 - means "painting" or "picture"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 感触 - means "tactile sensation" or "texture"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• です - verb "to be" in the present tense, indicating the polite or formal form

この絵は美しい着色がされています。

Kono e wa utsukushii chakushoku ga sarete imasu

This painting has a beautiful color.

This image is beautifully colored.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 絵 - noun that means "painting" or "drawing"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 美しい - adjective meaning "beautiful" or "beautiful"
• 着色 - noun that means "coloring" or "painting"
• が - Particle that marks the subject of the sentence
• されています - passive verb in the polite form meaning "was done" or "was painted"

私は絵を描くのが下手です。

Watashi wa e o kaku no ga heta desu

I'm bad at drawing.

I'm not good at drawing.

• 私 - personal pronoun "I"
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "me"
• 絵 - noun "drawing, painting"
• を - direct object particle, indicates that "drawing" is the direct object of the action
• 描く - verb "to draw, to paint"
• のが - particle that indicates a nominal clause, in this case "the fact that"
• 下手 - adjective "bad, inexperienced"
• です - verb "to be", indicates that the sentence is in the present and is affirmative or formal

私は彼女の絵を写すことができます。

Watashi wa kanojo no e o utsusu koto ga dekimasu

I can copy her painting.

I can take her picture.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two things
• 絵 - noun meaning "image" or "painting"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 写す - verb meaning "to copy" or "to reproduce"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• が - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• できます - verb meaning "to be able to" or "to be able to"

絵の具を買いに行きます。

E no gu wo kai ni iki masu

I will buy paint.

I'm going to buy paint.

• 絵の具 (e no gu) - paint for painting
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 買い (kai) - Shopping
• に (ni) - target particle
• 行きます (ikimasu) - Go

絵を描くのが好きです。

E wo kaku no ga suki desu

I like to draw.

I like painting.

• 絵 - means "drawing" or "painting".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 描く - verb that means "to draw" or "to paint".
• の - particle that indicates the nominalization of the verb, transforming it into a noun.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 好き - adjective that means "to like" or "to be pleasant".
• です - linking verb that indicates the present tense and the formality of the sentence.