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March 24, 2026
描写(描寫)miáoxiě(miao2xie3)
描写 (miáoxiě) means to describe or depict something in detail, often used in literary contexts or when giving a detailed account of an event or scene. It conveys not just the facts, but also the emotions and nuances associated with the subject being described.
Strokes16Frequency#9991DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, 描写 is a crucial technique, often employed in poetry and prose to evoke emotions and paint vivid images in the reader's mind, reflecting the importance of imagery in Chinese storytelling traditions.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 描 (miáo) as a brush (毛) used to paint (描) a picture, while 写 (xiě) means to write. Together, they represent the act of writing down a vivid description, much like a painter depicts a scene with a brush.
Meanings of 描写
miáoxiě(miao2xie3)
1to describe
2to depict
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About 描写
描写Simplified
描寫Traditional
16Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9991Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 描写
Podcast: 描写
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AI Study Notes for 描写
Quick Contrast
描绘 (miáohuì) - use 描写 when focusing on detailed descriptions that convey emotions; use 描绘 for more general depictions or illustrations.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 描写 with 说明 (shuōmíng), which means to explain rather than to describe. It's typically used in both formal writing and informal conversation, but learners should be cautious with the context to avoid sounding overly poetic in everyday speech.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, 描写 connects with other vocabulary related to literature and expression. Students should focus on using it in sentences that require detailed descriptions or portrayals, practicing its use in writing and speaking.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 描写 with 说明, leading to sentences that incorrectly suggest an explanation instead of a description. For instance, '我来说明这个场景' (I'm going to explain this scene) should be '我来描写这个场景' (I'm going to describe this scene).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 描写
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Knowing 描写 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
描写 (miáoxiě) means to describe or depict something in detail, often used in literary contexts or when giving a detailed account of an event or scene. It conveys not just the facts, but also the emotions and nuances associated with the subject being described.
When to use 描写
Common mistakes include confusing 描写 with 说明 (shuōmíng), which means to explain rather than to describe. It's typically used in both formal writing and informal conversation, but learners should be cautious with the context to avoid sounding overly poetic in everyday speech.
描写 or something close to it
描绘 (miáohuì) - use 描写 when focusing on detailed descriptions that convey emotions; use 描绘 for more general depictions or illustrations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 描写 with 说明, leading to sentences that incorrectly suggest an explanation instead of a description. For instance, '我来说明这个场景' (I'm going to explain this scene) should be '我来描写这个场景' (I'm going to describe this scene).
Write 描写
描
写
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Grammar Patterns of 描写
描写 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
