Definitions

miáo (verb) to trace; to copy
miáo (verb) to depict; to describe
miáo (verb) to touch up

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 描 is structured as a phono-semantic compound, combining the hand radical 扌 with the component 苗 which primarily serves a phonetic function. Its etymology relates to manual actions of tracing or copying, as seen in its early uses referring to delineating or outlining in drawing. Over time, the meaning extended beyond visual representation to include abstract depiction in literary contexts, such as in the compound 描写 meaning to describe.

Example Sentences Hide

写风景。

Tā miáoxiě fēngjǐng.

He describes the scenery.

画家绘了日出。

Huàjiā miáohuì le rìchū.

The painter depicted the sunrise.

摹这个图案。

Qǐng miáomó zhège tú'àn.

Please trace this pattern.

她素画得很好。

Tā sùmiáo huà dé hěn hǎo.

She is good at sketching.

这段文字写得很生动。

Zhè duàn wénzì miáoxiě dé hěn shēngdòng.

This passage is described very vividly.

这部小说绘了社会的变迁。

Zhè bù xiǎoshuō miáohuì le shèhuì de biànqiān.

This novel depicts the changes in society.

他用细腻的笔触摹人物心理。

Tā yòng xìnì de bǐchù miáomó rénwù xīnlǐ.

He portrays the characters' psychology with delicate brushstrokes.

艺术家试图摹出内心深处的情感波澜。

Yìshùjiā shìtú miáomó chū nèixīn shēnchù de qínggǎn bōlán.

The artist attempts to trace the emotional waves deep within the heart.