Translation guide
The act of drawing casually or absentmindedly, often while doing something else. Japanese has several verbs and phrases to express this, depending on the nuance.
To draw simple shapes or patterns without much thought, often while on the phone or in a meeting.
The most common and general term for doodling or scribbling. Can be used for both casual drawing and graffiti, but context makes it clear.
電話中にノートに落書きしていた。
I was doodling in my notebook while on the phone.
Literally 'mischievous drawing', similar to 'scribbling' or 'doodling' in a playful sense.
会議中にいたずら書きをしていた。
I was doodling during the meeting.
Implies quick, hasty scribbling, often of words or rough sketches. Less common for purely visual doodles.
彼はメモの端に走り書きした。
He scribbled a doodle in the margin of his notes.
To draw small, often cute or simple pictures, like cartoon characters or icons.
General phrase for 'draw a picture'. When used with adverbs like ちょっと or 適当に, it conveys casual doodling.
授業中にノートにちょっと絵を描いていた。
I was doodling a little in my notebook during class.
Specifically for drawing illustrations, often with a slightly more deliberate feel, but can be used for casual doodles.
暇なときにイラストを描くのが好きです。
I like doodling illustrations when I have free time.
To fill areas with lines or shading without a clear subject, often while thinking.
Literally 'draw lines'. Used when doodling consists of random lines or patterns.
考え事をしながら、紙に線を引いていた。
While thinking, I was doodling lines on the paper.
Refers to coloring or shading in a drawing, but can be used for the act of filling in doodled shapes.
ノートの余白に丸を描いて、塗り絵をしていた。
I drew circles in the margin and doodled by coloring them in.
落書き is the standard word for doodling, but can also mean graffiti. いたずら書き emphasizes the playful, idle nature of the act. In most casual contexts, 落書き is perfectly fine.
Adding adverbs like ちょっと (a little), 適当に (casually), or なんとなく (without thinking) before 描く helps convey the absentminded nature of doodling.