Zarysuj

Zarysuj is the second-person singular imperative form of the Polish verb zarysować, meaning to outline or to sketch. In use, it functions as a direct instruction to produce a rough outline, a preliminary sketch, or a high-level summary of something. The term can apply to both drawing and non-visual, conceptual tasks, such as outlining a plan, argument, or project.

Etymology and sense: zarysować is a perfective aspect derived from the verb rysować (to draw) with the prefix za- interpreted here as forming a result-oriented, concise action. The related noun zarys means an outline, sketch, or rough approximation. The imperative zarysuj explicitly commands the listener to create such an outline or sketch.

Usage: The phrase is common in educational, professional, and creative contexts. It appears in instructions, prompts, and feedback to indicate that only the essential structure or main points should be presented initially. Synonyms include naszkicuj (sketch), oobierz (outline) in some contexts, but zarysuj emphasizes a concise, preparatory outline rather than a finished piece.

Forms: Beyond zarysuj (you singular), related forms include zarysujcie (you plural) and zarysować (to outline in its infinitive). In sentences, it typically accompanies a direct object representing the topic to be outlined, e.g., Zarysuj plan działania or Zarysuj główne punkty.

See also: zarys (outline), rysować (to draw), naszkicować (to sketch).