図

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 図 is read ず in this entry and denotes a diagram, figure, or drawing that visually presents information, structure, or relationships.
• Basic usage: Use 人口の変化を図にする for turning data into a figure and 説明書の図を見る for consulting an explanatory diagram.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• に marking the result
  • In 人口の変化を図にする, に marks the resulting format into which the population data is transformed. It does not mark a location inside a picture.
• 図 and 絵
  • 絵(え) broadly covers pictures such as paintings and illustrations. 図 focuses on visual material organized to explain or compare information and structure.
• Range of the reading
  • This independent noun is read ず. Compounds can use another reading, as in 図書(としょ), so one reading does not automatically apply to every word containing the character.