勾勒 gōulè to draw the outline of
to draw the outline of; to outline; to sketch; to delineate contours of; to give a brief account of
How to remember 勾勒: 勾 to hook + 勒 to strangle = to draw the outline of.
Characters
How it is used
- To sketch the outline of - literally in drawing, figuratively in describing - 勾勒出未来蓝图 (gōulè chū wèilái lántú) sketch out a blueprint for the future.
- Implies broad strokes/contours, not fine detail; artistic and literary register.
- Frame: 寥寥几笔勾勒出… (with a few strokes outline…).