Definition

1. Noun:

   • Wood engraving: A technique of creating images or designs by carving into a wooden surface, specifically the end-grain of a hard wood, to produce a printing block. This is a precise form of relief printing.
   • Woodcut: While sometimes used more broadly, it specifically refers to the art and craft of engraving on wood.

2. Verb phrase (to engrave on wood):

   • To wood-engrave: The action of carving a design into a wooden block for the purpose of printing.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Nghệ thuật khắc gỗ của Việt Nam rất tinh xảo. (Vietnam's wood engraving art is very exquisite.)
  • Bức tranh này được in từ một bản khắc gỗ cổ. (This picture is printed from an old wood engraving block.)

• Verb phrase:

  • Người nghệ nhân đang khắc gỗ một bức tranh phong cảnh. (The artisan is wood-engraving a landscape picture.)

Advanced Usage

• In artistic/technical context: Often used to discuss traditional printmaking techniques, distinguishing it from other methods like etching or lithography.
  • Anh ấy chuyên nghiên cứu về kỹ thuật khắc gỗ thế kỷ 18. (He specializes in researching 18th-century wood-engraving techniques.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tranh khắc gỗ (n): Woodcut print; wood engraving print.

  • Phòng triển lãm trưng bày nhiều tranh khắc gỗ. (The exhibition room displays many woodcut prints.)

• Bản khắc gỗ (n): Woodblock; the engraved wooden printing block itself.

  • Bản khắc gỗ này đã được sử dụng qua nhiều thế kỷ. (This woodblock has been used for many centuries.)

• Thợ khắc gỗ (n): Wood engraver; a craftsman who practices wood engraving.

  • Người thợ khắc gỗ cần có đôi bàn tay rất khéo léo. (A wood engraver needs very skillful hands.)

Synonyms

• Chạm gỗ: To carve wood (can be broader, not exclusively for printmaking).
• Đục gỗ: To chisel wood (emphasizes the tool and action, often for sculpture).

Related Phrases/Compounds

• Khắc gỗ in tranh: Wood engraving for picture printing.

  • Làng Đông Hồ nổi tiếng với nghề khắc gỗ in tranh. (Dong Ho village is famous for the craft of wood engraving for picture printing.)

• Kỹ thuật khắc gỗ: Wood-engraving technique.

  • Kỹ thuật khắc gỗ đòi hỏi sự kiên nhẫn cao. (The wood-engraving technique requires great patience.)

1. Wood-engraving