写

JLPT N4

Copy, photograph

Readings

On’yomi: シャ (sha)

Kun’yomi: うつ(す), うつ(る) (utsu(su), utsu(ru))

• うつ（す）(utsusu) – to copy, to photograph, to project • うつ（る）(utsuru) – to be copied, to be reflected

Structure

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Detailed Explanation

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Mnemonic

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Etymology

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Visual Tip

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Vocabulary

写真

しゃしん

photograph

写す

うつす

copy

写る

うつる

be reflected

描写

びょうしゃ

description

複写

ふくしゃ

duplicate copy

Example Sentences

写真を撮ります。

しゃしんをとります。

I take a photograph.

ノートに写します。

のーとにうつします。

I copy it into the notebook.

水に顔が写ります。

みずにかおがうつります。

My face is reflected in the water.

様子を描写します。

ようすをびょうしゃします。

I describe the situation.

書類を複写します。

しょるいをふくしゃします。

I duplicate the documents.

Cultural Note

📷 写 is central in Japanese culture through photography, art, and literature.
• Traditional practices like 写経 (copying sutras) were both spiritual and educational, emphasizing mindfulness.
• In modern times, 写真 (しゃしん) and 写生 (しゃせい) connect artistic depiction and preservation of memories.
• The idea of “reflecting reality” (写す / 写る) also appears metaphorically in literature — capturing life or emotions faithfully.