फ़ोटो
foṭo/foː.ʈoː/
The Hindi word for "photo" is फ़ोटो (foṭo).
फ़ोटो is a common loanword used to refer to a photograph. To express the action of taking a photograph, the phrase फ़ोटो खींचना is used.
Meaning: to take a photograph (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase फ़ोटो खींचना, the verb खींचना literally means "to pull" or "to stretch".
Which one should you use?
While फ़ोटो is widely used, the word तस्वीर is a more traditional or formal term for a picture or photograph. In casual speech, you may also hear the colloquial form फोटू.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word फ़ोटो is treated as a feminine noun in Hindi.
How do you pronounce it?
foṭo
Did you know?
- While फ़ोटो खींचना means 'to take a photo', the verb खींचना also describes the act of pulling a bowstring or tugging a rope. This reflects an older era of photography when physical mechanisms were 'pulled' to trigger the shutter.
- While फ़ोटो is a direct loan from English, the more formal term तस्वीर is actually an Arabic loanword that entered Hindi through Persian.
- Hindi has a distinct word for a portrait or a likeness called प्रतिमा, which is historically used for statues and divine images rather than casual snapshots.
Examples in context
- वह फ़ोटो मुझे दिखाओ।Show me that photo.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask to see a specific फ़ोटो.Tatoeba #10051981 by sabretou, translation #8400011 by Smoky
- फ़ोटो खींचनाTo take a photoThis phrase is useful for expressing the action of taking a फ़ोटो.
- क्या आप मेरे साथ एक फोटो ले सकते हैं?Can you take a photo with me?
- आपकी तस्वीर मुझे बहुत पसंद है।I really like your photo.
- ये फोटू बहुत मस्त है, इसे सबके साथ शेयर करें!This photo is awesome, share it with everyone!
Example conversation
Rahul and Priya are at a scenic viewpoint.
- प्रिया Priyaराहुल, क्या आप मेरी एक फ़ोटो लेंगे?Rahul, kya aap meri ek photo lenge?Rahul, will you take a photo of me?
- राहुल Rahulहाँ, बिल्कुल। मुस्कुराइए!Haan, bilkul. Muskuraiye!Yes, of course. Smile!
- प्रिया Priyaधन्यवाद, यह बहुत अच्छी आई है।Dhanyavad, yeh bahut achhi aayi hai.Thank you, this one came out very well.
- राहुल Rahulबहुत बढ़िया! आपकी फ़ोटो बहुत सुंदर है।Bahut badhiya! Aapki photo bahut sundar hai.Great! Your photo is very beautiful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry फ़ोटो, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
