miu4描
Jyutpingmiu4
Yalemìuh
Definition
To trace, sketch, or depict.
- to trace; to copy; to touch up a drawing
- to depict; to describe; to sketch
neutraldaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the physical act of tracing or outlining rather than the creative act of drawing from scratch. It is frequently used in contexts involving calligraphy or technical drafting where precision is required. When describing general artistic drawing, Cantonese speakers prefer using 畫.
Examples
Try sketching the outline first.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 畫, but 描 specifically implies following an existing line or pattern. Using it to mean general drawing sounds unnatural to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
