Meaning
描述 means to describe or give an account of something, typically in words. It combines 描 (to trace, to draw) and 述 (to state, to narrate), creating the meaning of 'drawing out' or 'tracing out' information through language. It's commonly used in both written and spoken contexts when explaining characteristics, events, or situations.
Usage
This is a formal-to-neutral register word frequently used in academic writing, reports, and professional contexts. Native speakers use it when they want to explain or detail something systematically. It's slightly more formal than 说 (to say) but less technical than 阐述 (to expound). Often paired with objects like 情况 (situation), 过程 (process), or 现象 (phenomenon).
Examples
- 01请你详细描述一下事情的经过。.Please describe the course of events in detail.
- 02这篇文章生动地描述了农村的生活。.This article vividly describes rural life.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个详细的描述
Common collocations
- 详细描述to describe in detail
- 描述过程to describe the process
- 准确描述to accurately describe
- 用...描述...to use... to describe
Origin
Both characters have literary origins. 描 originally meant to trace or copy by hand, while 述 comes from classical Chinese meaning to relate or narrate events. Together they form a compound emphasizing the careful articulation of details.