写真を撮ってもいいですか？
shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
In Japanese, "can we take a picture?" is expressed as 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?)
This phrase is a polite way to ask for permission to take a photograph. It can be used by an individual asking for permission or by a group asking for permission.
What does it mean word for word?
The part 撮ってもいいですか？ (totte mo ii desu ka?) literally means "is it okay to take?"
Which one should you use?
While 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ asks for permission to take a photo, the phrase 写真を撮ってくれませんか？ is used when you are asking someone else to take a picture of you.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, speakers often use 写真撮ってもええ？ instead of using いい to mean "good".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ functions as a polite request for permission that works whether the subject is a single person or a group.
How do you pronounce it?
shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?
Did you know?
- The word for photograph 写真 (shashin) literally translates to 'copying light'. This poetic origin reflects the early scientific understanding of photography as a way to capture luminosity.
- The slang term 写メ (shame) is a shortened version of 写真メール (shashin mēru). It refers specifically to photos taken with a mobile phone intended to be sent via email.
- In Japan, a person may refuse the request 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ by hesitating or looking away rather than saying 'no'. This is part of a cultural practice called 空気を読む (kuuki o yomu) or 'reading the air'.
Examples in context
- ここで写真を撮ってもいいですか？Koko de shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Can we take a picture here?
- 一緒に写真を撮ってもいいですか？Issho ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Can we take a picture together?
- 記念に写真を撮ってもいいですか？Kinen ni shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Can we take a picture for a souvenir?
Example conversation
Misaki asks Ren if she can take a photo of him with a beautiful view.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮さん、写真を撮ってもいいですか？Ren-san, shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?Ren, can I take a picture?
- 蓮 Renはい、もちろんです。Hai, mochiron desu.Yes, of course.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。すごく綺麗ですね。Arigatou gozaimasu. Sugoku kirei desu ne.Thank you. It's very beautiful, isn't it?
- 蓮 Ren本当に、最高の景色です。Hontou ni, saikou no keshiki desu.It really is the best view.
