Definition
To portray someone or something is to show or describe them in a particular way, in art, writing, film, or speech. It can be about appearance, personality, or behavior.
Etymology
“Portray” comes from Middle French *portraire*, “to depict,” from Latin *protrahere*, “to draw forth.” The idea is to pull out and display an image or character for others to see.
Kelly Says
When you portray someone, you’re not just showing them—you’re choosing *how* they appear to others. This is why portrayals can be fair or unfair, kind or cruel, even when they’re based on the same person.
Translations
BNবাংলা
চিত্রিত করা
chit-tri-t kor-a
CACatalà
representar
re-pre-sen-tar
CSČeština
zobrazovat
zoh-bra-zo-vat
DADansk
portrættere
por-traet-ter-eh
DEDeutsch
darstellen
dar-shtel-en
ELΕλληνικά
παρουσιάζω
pa-roo-see-a-zo
ESEspañol
representar
re-pre-sen-tar
FAفارسی
تصویر کردن
tasvir kard-an
FRFrançais
dépeindre
deh-pehn-tr
GUGU
ચિત્રિત કરવું
chitra-it kar-vu
HIहिन्दी
चित्रित करना
chitra-it kar-na
HUMagyar
ábrázolni
ah-braz-zol-ni
IDBahasa Indonesia
menggambarkan
me-gam-bar-kan
ITItaliano
dipingere
dee-pin-ge-reh
KKKK
таныштыру
ta-ny-sh-ty-ru
MRMR
चित्रित करणे
chit-tri-t kar-ne
MSBahasa Melayu
menggambarkan
me-gam-bar-kan
NLNederlands
afbeelden
af-bey-len
NONorsk
avbilde
av-bil-de
PAPA
ਚਿੱਤਰਿਤ ਕਰنا
chit-tri-t kar-na
PLPolski
obrażać
ob-ra-zhat'
PTPortuguês
representar
re-pre-zen-tar
RORomână
a reprezenta
a re-pre-zen-ta
RUРусский
изображать
izobrazhat'
SVSvenska
avbilda
av-bild-a
SWKiswahili
kuonyesha
koo-nye-sha
TAதமிழ்
படத்தை வரை
pada-tti va-rai
TEతెలుగు
చిత్రీకరించు
chitra-ri-ka-rinchu
TRTürkçe
tasvir etmek
tas-vir eh-mek
UKУкраїнська
зображати
zho-bra-zhaty
URاردو
تصوير کرنا
tas-veer kar-na
VITiếng Việt
mô tả
moh ta
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Portrayals in media and art have often been gender-biased, depicting women and gender minorities in limited or stereotypical roles. Language around how people are portrayed has shaped public perceptions and reinforced power imbalances.
Inclusive Usage
Be explicit about biased portrayals and avoid endorsing stereotypes; describe how different genders are represented and who controls the portrayal.
Inclusive Alternatives
["depict","represent","describe"]
Empowerment Note
Credit women and gender-diverse creators who have challenged restrictive portrayals and expanded representation in media and art.