Explore 絵 in words for pictures and art. Connect each reading with a whole word and its context.

The idea

絵 has 12 strokes; follow the linked stroke-order diagram. Read 絵（え）, 絵本（えほん）, 絵画（かいが） and 絵葉書（えはがき） as complete words.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingExample in context
絵えI drew a picture of a cat.
絵本えほんI read a picture book to the children.
絵画かいがI like looking at paintings in museums.
絵葉書えはがきI sent a picture postcard to a friend.

Examples

  • 猫ねこの絵えを描かきました。I drew a picture of a cat.
  • この絵えはきれいです。This picture is beautiful.
  • 子こどもたちに絵本えほんを読よみました。I read a picture book to the children.
  • 美術館びじゅつかんで絵画かいがを見みるのが好すきです。I like looking at paintings in museums.
  • 友達ともだちに絵葉書えはがきを送おくりました。I sent a picture postcard to a friend.
  • 壁かべに絵えがあります。There is a picture on the wall.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

絵 is read え in 絵本, but かい in 絵画. Do not assume one reading works in every compound; 絵画 means painting as an art form, not a picture book.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 絵本 in hiragana.

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    えほん

    絵本 is えほん: 絵 is え and 本 is ほん. It means a picture book.

  2. Write the reading of 絵画 in hiragana.

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    かいが

    絵画 is かいが: here 絵 is かい. It refers to painting or paintings.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: ＿葉書（えはがき）［絵／紙］.

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    絵

    絵 completes 絵葉書（えはがき）, a picture postcard. 紙 means paper and does not make this word.

Use it today

Write 絵 using the diagram, cover the table, and read 絵本 and 絵画. Make a sentence about a picture you like.