Definition
写意 is a term from traditional Chinese aesthetics, originally referring to a freehand, expressive style in Chinese painting (as opposed to 工笔 'meticulous style'). In modern colloquial usage, especially in some dialects, it can mean 'comfortable' or 'enjoyable', but the core cultural meaning is the artistic concept. The word is culturally loaded — English 'freehand' or 'sketchy' doesn't capture the philosophical depth of conveying the spirit (意) through brushwork (写).
s.v.
(art) freehandexpressive style emphasizing spirit over form(colloquial, dialectal) comfortableenjoyable
Examples
- 写意。Zhè fú shānshuǐ huà yòng de shì xiě shǒufǎ.This landscape painting uses the freehand style.
- 写意,。Tā xǐhuan xiě huà, bù xǐhuan gōngbǐ huà.He likes freehand painting, not meticulous-style painting.
- ,写意。Zài nánfāng fāngyán li, xiě yě yǒu shūfu de yìsi.In southern dialects, 写意 can also mean 'comfortable'.
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