写实 (xiě shí) — to depict realistically (in writing or painting)

Definition

写实 (xiěshí) means 'to depict realistically' — used in art, literature, and film for a faithful, lifelike style rather than idealization or abstraction.

verb
to depict realistically (in writing or painting)

Examples

  • 写实。
    Zhè bù xiǎo shuō xiě shí fēng gé hěn qiáng.
    This novel has a very strong realistic style.
  • ，。
    Tā xiě le yí cì shí, dà jiā dōu jué de bú cuò.
    He wrote a realistic piece once, and everyone thought it was good.
  • 写实。
    Huà jiā yòng xiě shí shǒu fǎ huà le yì fú huà.
    The painter used realistic technique to paint a picture.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

写xiědepict
实shíreality

“写” (depict) takes “实” (reality) as what is depicted, giving the sense of realistic portrayal.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 寫; 写 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
舄
舄xì寫xiě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 寫 combines 宀 with 舄 for the sound; this note is about 寫, not the simplified 写.

Open 写 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 實; 实 is its simplified writing.

  • 宀宀miánroof
  • 周周zhōucarved jade
  • 貝貝bèishellfish; cowrie

The traditional form 實 has 宀 'roof' above 周 'carved jade' and 貝 'cowrie'; the simplified 实 is a later shorthand, so its parts are not the historical pieces.

Open 实 →

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