Portray Meaning in English
word
pɔɹˈtɹeɪ
pawr-TRAY
pɔːtɹˈeɪ
paw-TRAY
Definition
To show or describe someone or something in a particular way, especially in art, books, movies, or other forms of media.
Usage & Nuances
Often used in the context of art, literature, or film. 'Portray' can mean to act as a character or to depict characteristics or feelings. Common collocations: 'portray a character,' 'portray as.' Not usually used for physical painting (use 'paint' instead).
Spanish: retratar - representar - describirPortuguese (BR): retratar - representar - descreverPortuguese (PT): retratar - representar - descreverChinese (Simplified): 描绘 - 描述Chinese (Traditional): 描繪 - 描述Hindi: चित्रित करना - प्रस्तुत करनाArabic: يصور - يُمثل - يصفBengali: অঙ্কন করা - উপস্থাপন করা - বর্ণনা করাRussian: изображать - описывать - воплощать (роль)Japanese: 描く - 演じる - 表現するVietnamese: miêu tả - khắc họa - thể hiệnKorean: 묘사하다 - 그리다 - 연기하다Turkish: betimlemek - tasvir etmek - canlandırmakUrdu: پیش کرنا - ظاہر کرنا - کردار ادا کرناIndonesian: menggambarkan - melukiskan - memerankan
Example Sentences
The movie portrays the hero as brave and honest.
basic
The author portrays life in the city in her books.
basic
He portrays a doctor in the TV series.
basic
The director wanted to portray the city as a place full of hopes and dreams.
natural
Many artists portray emotions through their paintings.
natural
The book portrays her struggles in an honest and moving way.
natural