foto
everyday, Mexico
In Mexican Spanish "photo" is foto in everyday speech. The full word is fotografía, used in writing and formal situations.
Meaning: photograph (noun)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| foto | everyday, Mexico |
| fotografía | formal |
Foto is feminine even though it ends in o: la foto, una foto. It is short for fotografía.
Which one should you use?
People say tomar una foto or sacar una foto for "take a photo". Fotografía appears in exhibitions, documents and art classes.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because foto is feminine, adjectives agree with it: una foto bonita, not un foto bonito.
Did you know?
- Because foto is short for fotografía and keeps its feminine gender, the plural is las fotos.
Examples in context
- ¿Me tomas una foto?Can you take a photo of me?
- Mándame las fotos por WhatsApp.Send me the photos on WhatsApp.
- La fotografía es de 1950.The photograph is from 1950.
Example conversation
Lupe and a stranger are at the Zócalo in Mexico City.
- LupeDisculpe, ¿me toma una foto, por favor?Excuse me, could you take a photo of me, please?
- DesconocidoClaro. ¿Así está bien?Of course. Is this fine?
- LupePerfecto, muchas gracias.Perfect, thank you very much.
