Translation guide
The act of making a rough drawing, often as a preliminary study or for practice. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is スケッチ, but other terms exist depending on the context, such as rough drafts, quick drawings, or artistic studies.
スケッチが好きです。
I like sketching.
彼女は風景をスケッチしています。
She is sketching a landscape.
To make a quick, rough drawing, often from observation or as a hobby.
The most common and direct equivalent. Used for both the act and the resulting drawing. Suitable for casual and artistic contexts.
公園でスケッチをするのが好きです。
I like sketching in the park.
彼は旅先で風景をスケッチした。
He sketched the scenery while traveling.
Refers to sketching from life, especially nature or landscapes. Often used in art education or traditional contexts.
生徒たちは校庭で写生をしました。
The students did sketching in the schoolyard.
A more formal or artistic term for drawing or sketching, often implying a rough or preliminary drawing. Used in fine arts contexts.
この素描は非常に精巧だ。
This sketch is very detailed.
To create a quick, unfinished drawing as a plan for a more detailed work.
Specifically a preliminary sketch or rough draft for a painting, illustration, or design.
画家はキャンバスに下絵を描いた。
The artist drew a sketch on the canvas.
A rough sketch, often used in design or creative fields. Emphasizes the unfinished, rough nature.
まずラフスケッチを描いてイメージを固めます。
First, I make a rough sketch to solidify the image.
From French 'esquisse', used in art and architecture for a preliminary sketch or study. Somewhat technical.
To draw something quickly and informally, often without much detail.
Means doodling or scribbling. Can be used for casual sketching, though it often implies aimless drawing.
ノートに落書きをする。
I doodle in my notebook.
A phrase meaning 'to draw quickly'. Describes the action of sketching rapidly.
彼はささっと似顔絵を描いた。
He quickly sketched a portrait.
スケッチ is the most common and versatile term for sketching. 写生 specifically refers to drawing from life, often outdoors. 素描 is a more formal, artistic term for a drawing or sketch, often used in fine arts.
趣味でスケッチをしています。
I sketch as a hobby.
写生大会に参加した。
I participated in a sketching contest (from life).
素描の技術を磨く。
To improve one's sketching (drawing) skills.
The English word 'sketch' can also mean a short comedy scene. In Japanese, that is コント or スケッチ (in the context of comedy). For drawing, stick to スケッチ or other terms above.
建築家はエスキースを何枚も描く。
Architects draw many sketches.