The Chinese word **素描** (*sùmiáo*), meaning "sketch" (as in a drawing), is a compound term formed by combining two characters: **素** (*sù*), which conveys "plain," "simple," or "unadorned," and **描** (*miáo*), which means "to trace," "to depict," or "to draw." Together, they logically construct the concept of a "plain drawing" or "simple depiction," directly referring to the fundamental artistic technique of creating a monochromatic, often quick, and linear representation of a subject, emphasizing form and structure over color and fine detail.