図（ず、zu）
- figure/diagram

The Japanese word 図, read as ず, primarily means "diagram," "figure," "drawing," "chart," or "illustration." It refers to a visual representation of something, often used to explain, clarify, or show relationships. It can also refer to a plan, design, or scheme. 図 can represent anything from a simple sketch to a complex technical diagram. The meaning is very broad and depends heavily on the context.

⚫︎ この図を見てください。 Translation: Please look at this diagram. ⚫︎ 地図図 Translation: Map ⚫︎ 設計図 Translation: Blueprint; design

図 is used in various contexts, including academic, technical, and everyday conversations. ⚫︎When explaining something visually ⚫︎Referring to drawings or plans. ⚫︎In presentations and reports. The specific usage depends on the context and what the 図 is depicting.

⚫︎The word is typically written in kanji: 図. ⚫︎The reading is ず in hiragana. ⚫︎It is not typically written in katakana. ⚫︎Okurigana is not applicable for this word.

⚫︎ 絵 (え): Picture, drawing ⚫︎ イラスト (irasuto): Illustration ⚫︎ グラフ (gurafu): Graph ⚫︎ チャート (chāto): Chart ⚫︎ 設計図 (sekkeizu): Blueprint

There isn't a direct antonym for 図, as it represents a visual aid. The opposite concept could be something that doesn't involve any diagrams, but rather only texts or speeches.

この図は、そのシステムの構造を示しています。 ・Translation: This diagram shows the structure of the system. ・Explanation: This sentence uses 図 to describe a diagram used for explanatory purposes.

彼女はプレゼンテーションのために図をたくさん作りました。 ・Translation: She made many diagrams for the presentation. ・Explanation: This sentence indicates that the speaker made a lot of diagrams.

The kanji 図 (ず) is a combination of two parts. The upper part is 回, which means "surround." The lower part is 口, meaning "mouth." Originally, the character's meaning was linked to the act of "surrounding something to depict it" or "sketching something." Over time, it developed into its current meaning, which is visual representations such as "diagram" or "drawing".