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写意

寫意
xiěyì
noun #41,232

Meanings

  1. 1 freehand / xieyi style of Chinese painting (bold strokes suggesting spirit over detail)
  2. 2 to evoke rather than depict
  3. 3 (also pronounced xièyì) comfortable, leisurely

Examples

齐白石的虾是典型的写意风格。
Qí Báishí de xiā shì diǎnxíng de xiěyì fēnggé.
Qi Baishi's shrimp are a classic example of xieyi style.
写意画讲究神似而非形似。
Xiěyì huà jiǎngjiu shénsì ér fēi xíngsì.
Xieyi painting values spiritual likeness over literal likeness.

Tips

culture
写意 (freehand, impressionistic) contrasts with 工笔 — a meticulous outline-and-color style with fine brushwork and rich detail. Xieyi prizes 气韵 (spirit resonance) and 留白 (empty space), sometimes capturing an animal in just a few strokes. Masters: 徐渭, 朱耷 (八大山人), 齐白石, 吴昌硕.
usage
Note two pronunciations: xiěyì for the art-historical meaning above; xièyì for the colloquial 'relaxed, comfortable' sense (日子过得很写意 'life is pleasant').

Stroke Order

写 xiě
意 yì