私たちの写真を撮っていただけますか？
watashitachi no shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?
“Can you take a picture of us?” in Japanese is 私たちの写真を撮っていただけますか？ (watashitachi no shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?)
This phrase is a polite request used when asking someone to use a camera to photograph a group of people. You can also use the variation Koko de shashin o totte itadakemasu ka? if you want to specify, “Could you please take a picture of us here?”
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to “Could I receive the favor of you taking our photo?”
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 私たちの写真を撮っていただけますか？ is a formal and respectful way to make the request. If you want a more standard polite version, you can use 写真を撮ってもらえますか？
How do you pronounce it?
watashitachi no shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?
When do people say it?
When you hand a camera to someone after making your request, it is natural to say 一枚、お願いします。 (One photo, please) to indicate you want a single shot. If the person agrees to help you, they will often respond with はい、いいですよ。 (Yes, sure.).
Did you know?
- While English speakers might say 'Cheese!', Japanese people often say はい、チーズ！ (Hai, chīzu!) or はい、キムチ！ (Hai, kimchi!) to get people to smile for the camera.
- In very formal settings, instead of using the word for 'us' or 'we', a person might refer to themselves as こちら (kochira), which translates to 'this way' or 'this side'.
- The word for photo, 写真 (shashin), literally means 'copying light'. It combines the characters for 'copy' and 'light', reflecting the scientific nature of photography.
Examples in context
- 記念に私たちの写真を撮っていただけますか？Kinen ni watashitachi no shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?Can you take a picture of us for a souvenir?
Example conversation
Misaki and Hiroto are tourists at a scenic lookout.
- 美咲 Misakiすみません、私たちの写真を撮っていただけますか？sumimasen, watashitachi no shashin o totte itadakemasu ka?Excuse me, can you take a picture of us?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、いいですよ。お願いします。hai, ii desu yo. onegaishimasu.Yes, I can. Please go ahead.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとうございます。お願いします！arigatou gozaimasu. onegaishimasu!Thank you very much. Please do!
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、チーズ！hai, chiizu!Say cheese!
