What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 写真を撮ってもらえますか？ literally translates to "Can I receive the favor of you taking a photo?"
Which one should you use?
The default form 写真を撮ってもらえますか？ is a standard polite request. If you want to be extremely polite and indirect, you can use 写真を撮ってもらえますでしょうか？, which translates to "Would it be possible for you to take a photo?" For a casual setting, you can use the informal 写真を撮ってもらえる？
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
写真を撮ってもらえますか？ is a polite and standard way to ask a stranger or an acquaintance for a favor. The form お写真をお撮りいただけますか is the formal way to express this request. If you are speaking with friends or people you are close to, use the informal 写真を撮ってもらえる？
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb is in the ~te moraemasu form, which is used to request a favor from someone else.
How do you pronounce it?
shashin o totte moraemasu ka?
Did you know?
- The word shashin literally means 'copying light'. This describes the physical process of photography rather than just the resulting image.
- If you want the photographer to take multiple shots to ensure a good one, you might add nanmai ka to the request. This specifically asks for 'several sheets' of photos, reflecting the language's history with physical film.
- While shashin refers to a photo, the verb used to take one is toru, which also means 'to hunt' or 'to harvest'. This suggests the act of capturing a moment from the environment.
Examples in context
- 写真を撮ってもらえますか？Shashin o totte moraemasu ka?Can you take a picture?
- ここで写真を撮ってもらえますか？Koko de shashin o totte moraemasu ka?Can you take a picture here?
- 家族の写真を撮ってもらえますか？Kazoku no shashin o totte moraemasu ka?Can you take a picture of my family?
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are visiting a famous landmark.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、写真を撮ってもらえますか？Yui, shashin o totte moraemasu ka?Yui, can you take a picture?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですよ。どこに立ちますか？Ii desu yo. Doko ni tachimasu ka?Sure. Where should you stand?
- 蓮 Renあそこの看板の前でお願いします。Asoko no kanban no mae de onegaishimasu.In front of that sign over there, please.
- 結衣 Yuiわかりました。撮りますね。Wakarimashita. Torimasu ne.Got it. I'll take it now.
