綺麗な写真
kirei na shashin
The English phrase "beautiful picture" can be translated into Japanese as 綺麗な写真 (kirei na shashin).
This phrase is used to describe a photograph that is visually pleasing or aesthetically attractive. Depending on the context, the word 綺麗 (kirei) can mean "beautiful" or it can also mean "clean" and "tidy," so the phrase might imply a "clean-looking photograph" depending on the situation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 綺麗 (kirei), meaning beautiful or clean and 写真 (shashin), meaning photograph.
Which one should you use?
While 綺麗な写真 is a common way to express a beautiful picture, you may encounter other forms. For photography, 美しい写真 (utsukushii shashin) is a more formal or artistic way to say it, emphasizing aesthetic beauty more than 綺麗な写真. If you are referring to a drawing or a painting rather than a photograph, you might use きれいな絵 (beautiful picture) or きれいな風景画 (beautiful landscape painting). To emphasize a remarkable or striking picture, you can use 素晴らしい絵画.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 綺麗な (kirei na) is a na-adjective, which requires the particle な (na) to connect it to the noun 写真 (shashin).
How do you pronounce it?
kirei na shashin
Did you know?
- The word 写真 (shashin) literally translates to 'copying spirit' or 'copying truth', reflecting an early belief that cameras captured the actual soul of the subject.
- In Japan, a 'beautiful picture' is often judged by its 'ma' or negative space. A photograph that is too crowded can be seen as lacking beauty, regardless of how 'kirei' the subjects are.
- In Japanese social media culture, the phrase インスタ映え (insuta-bae) is used specifically for a 'picture' that is 'Instagrammable', which is a more modern equivalent of a 'beautiful picture'.
Examples in context
- これは本当に綺麗な写真ですね。Kore wa hontō ni kirei na shashin desu ne.
- 彼は綺麗な写真の撮り方を知っています。Kare wa kirei na shashin no torikata o shitte imasu.He knows how to take beautiful pictures.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are looking at a photo album together.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、この写真は本当に綺麗だね。Himari, kono shashin wa hontō ni kirei da ne.Himari, this picture is really beautiful.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう。綺麗な写真が撮れてよかった。Arigatō. Kireina shashin ga torete yokatta.Thank you. I'm glad I could take a beautiful picture.
- 大翔 Hirotoどこで撮ったの？Doko de totta no?Where did you take it?
- 陽葵 Himari先週、京都で撮ったんだよ。Senshū, Kyōto de totta nda yo.I took it in Kyoto last week.
