描写 (miáoxiě) is a literary noun meaning 'description'—especially vivid, detailed, or artistic description in writing. It combines 描 (miáo), meaning 'to sketch' or 'to outline', and 写 (xiě), meaning 'to write'. Together, they evoke the idea of 'sketching with words'—painting a scene, character, or emotion through carefully chosen language rather than just stating facts.

This term is commonly used in Chinese language education, literary analysis, and creative writing contexts. It appears frequently in textbook exercises asking students to 'write a description' (写描写) or analyze how an author uses 描写 to create atmosphere. While it can refer to any kind of descriptive writing, it carries a stylistic connotation: the emphasis is on sensory detail, imagery, and expressive nuance—not dry factual reporting.