Pictures and plans with 画
画 has a few meanings: picture, division, and plans.
Etymology
This kanji is a simplified version of the pictograph 劃, which combines 田 (field) and 聿 (to mark).
Art Supplies
画鋲 (Thumbtack)
画鋲 is a small pin used to attach paper items such as drawings and posters to boards or walls. It has a flat, disc-shaped or round head, with a sharp needle on the other end.
It combines 画 (picture) with 鋲 (tack) to show a tack used to pin up pictures or papers.
The Detective Boys group visits a cabin where Professor Agasa has secretly set out clues leading to a treasure. Conan draws the group’s attention to an arrow pointing to a table, on top of which there is…
- コナン:
- 「これまた不自然に散らばったトランプの山…」
- “A pile of cards, rather unnaturally scattered about.”
- 「しかも、なぜかスペードのＡだけが画鋲でとめてある…」
- “Further, for some reason, only the ace of spades is pinned down with thumbtacks...”
- “A pile of cards, rather unnaturally scattered about.”
Planning
計画 (Plan)
計画 refers to the process of devising a logical sequence of steps, methods, and necessary resources in advance in order to achieve a specific purpose or goal. Specifically, it involves determining “what will be done, when, by whom, and how”.
It combines 計 (plan) with 画 (draw out) to show a drawn out plan of action.
After discovering who the murderer is, Conan explains why the murderer went after Ran. He pinpoints when Ran unknowingly discovered a vital clue.
- コナン:
- 「あの時、蘭の事気にもとめてなかったが、もし思い出されたらせっかく組み立てたこの殺人計画がすべて水の泡になる…」
- “Ran didn't think anything of it at the time, but if she remembered it, all the murderous plans he worked so hard on putting together would go up in smoke.”
Visual Media
漫画 (Manga)
漫画 refers to a visual art form that combines illustrations, panel layouts, and dialogue to convey stories, jokes, and other content.
It combines 漫 (loose) with 画 (drawing) to show casually drawn pictures.
Looking over the menu at Chiya’s shop, Chino and Rize are mystified by the strange dessert names.
- ○:
- 「なんだこの漫画の必殺技みたいなメニューは…」
- “What's with this menu like special techniques from a comic?”
Here, a second noun (menu) is likened to a first noun (special techniques from a comic).
映画 (Film)
映画 refers to a comprehensive art form and medium that uses a sequence of moving images to depict stories and landscapes.
It combines 映 (project) with 画 (picture) to show projected pictures.
After talking with her boyfriend in the hall, Futaba returns to her classroom and walks over to her friends.
- 双葉:
- 「この映画一緒に観に行かない？」
- “How about going to see this movie?”
- 悠里:
- 「え どの映画？」
- “Oh, which movie?”
画像 (Image)
画像 means an image, and ranges from a drawn or painted portrait, to a projection displayed on a television screen or computer monitor, to graphics created on a computer or photographs taken on a digital camera.
It combines 画 (picture) with 像 (image) to show a pictorial image.
Inui’s class is gathering photos of couples for a school festival contest. Another couple comes to join in.
- 乾:
- 「どっちの画像プリントします？」
- “Which image should I print?”
- 彼女:
- 「えーーー どうするー？」
- “Oh my gosh... What should we do?”
- 彼氏:
- 「どっちも捨てがたいねーーー」
- “Both are hard to abandon.”
The verb 捨てる means to discard or abandon. Because the couple has to select an image to print, the other image will be “thrown away” in the sense that it won’t be printed for the contest. In English, it’s more natural to say it’s different to choose between the two, while still retaining the same general meaning.
