portray
/pɔːˈtreɪ/ (bre, ipa) · /pɔːrˈtreɪ/ (ame, ipa) · /pȯr-ˈtrā pər-/ (ame, mw)
portray — verb
1. to create a picture or artistic description of a person, place, or thing.
to create a picture or artistic description of a person, place, or thing.
A young artist portrayed her grandfather with a soft smile and tired eyes.
portray + person in a painting
The mural portrays market women carrying fruit through the old town square.
portray + scene in visual art
In his novel, Ken portrays village life during one hard winter.
The museum poster portrays the river at sunset in bright orange light.
Her sketchbook portrays the harbor before the new bridge was built.
- depict
slightly more formal; especially common for visual or detailed representation
- describe
broader and more neutral; not always artistic
- illustrate
often used for drawings added to explain a text
文法句型
portray + person/place/thing
portray + scene in art or writing
用法筆記
Object is the person, place, or thing shown. Unlike sense 2, this sense does not need an extra judgment such as 'as cruel' or 'as brave'.
常見錯誤
2. to make a person, group, or situation seem to have certain qualities when it is
to make a person, group, or situation seem to have certain qualities when it is shown or discussed.
The article portrayed the coach as cold, ignoring his work with local children.
portray + someone as + adjective
In the film, the city is portrayed as a place of easy money.
passive: be portrayed as + noun phrase
Some news reports portrayed the strike as a danger to public safety.
Her diary portrays school life as lonely and full of quiet fear.
To many readers, the novel portrays fame as a bright stage with no back door.
- present
broader and more neutral; common for information or arguments as well as people
- characterize
more analytical; focuses on naming a quality
- paint
vivid and less formal in this figurative meaning, as in 'paint someone as selfish'
文法句型
portray + somebody/something + as + noun/adjective
be portrayed as + noun/adjective
用法筆記
Often followed by 'as' plus a noun or adjective, and frequently passive. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense adds an angle or judgment about what the person or thing is like.
常見錯誤
3. to perform the part of a particular character or real person in a film, play, or
to perform the part of a particular character or real person in a film, play, or other show.
In the new series, Aya portrays a doctor who hides a family secret.
actor + portray + role on screen
Daniel portrayed Hamlet on stage during the school arts festival.
portray + named character on stage
The queen was portrayed by a twelve-year-old actor in the radio play.
No one expected the comedian to portray such a serious father.
文法句型
portray + character/person in a film or play
be portrayed by + actor
用法筆記
Used for actors and performers. The object is the character or real person acted, not the title of the film or play.