What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 같이 (gachi), meaning 'together' and 사진 (sajin), meaning 'picture' or 'photo'.
Which one should you use?
While 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요? asks for permission, you can also use 같이 사진 찍을까요? to suggest the action, meaning 'Shall we take a picture together?'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a standard and polite way to ask, you can use 함께 사진을 찍을 수 있을까요? or the slightly more casual but still appropriate for formal situations, 함께 사진 찍어도 될까요? To sound even more polite and soft, which is useful when approaching strangers or celebrities, use 같이 사진 찍어도 될까요? instead of 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요? In informal settings, such as with a friend, you can use the straightforward and casual 함께 사진 찍을래? to ask 'Do you want to take a picture together?'
How does it change in a sentence?
The form 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요? focuses on asking for permission, whereas 같이 사진 찍을까요? is a slightly different way to suggest the action of taking a photo together.
How do you pronounce it?
gachi sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?
Did you know?
- The word for 'photo', 사진, literally translates to 'depicting the truth'.
- In Korea, if you ask a celebrity for a photo, it is common to perform a slight bow while making the request to show respect.
- When asking to take a photo with a celebrity, Koreans often use the phrase 셀카 (sel-ka), a portmanteau of 'self' and 'camera', to suggest a selfie.
Examples in context
- 실례지만, 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요?sillyejiman, gachi sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?Excuse me, can I take a picture with you?
- 너무 멋지세요! 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요?neomu meotjiseyo! gachi sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?You are so cool! Can I take a picture with you?
- 팬이에요. 혹시 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요?paenieyo. hoksi gachi sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?I'm a fan. By any chance, can I take a picture with you?
Example conversation
Seoyeon approaches Hyunwoo at a fan meeting event.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 같이 사진 찍어도 돼요?Hyunwoo-ssi, gachi sajin jjigeodo dwaeyo?Hyunwoo, can I take a picture with you?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo네, 당연하죠. 같이 찍어요.ne, dangyeonhajyo. gachi jjigeoyo.Yes, of course. Let's take it together.
- 서연 Seo-yeon감사합니다! 정말 영광이에요.gamsahamnida! jeongmal yeonggwangieyo.Thank you! It is truly an honor.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아니에요. 사진 잘 나왔나요?anieyo. sajin jal nawannayo?No problem. Did the picture come out well?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 같이, 사진, CC BY-SA 4.0.
