foto
/ˈfoto/
The English word 'photo' is translated into Spanish as foto.
To express the action of taking a photo, Spanish speakers typically use the phrase sacar una foto (literally 'to take out a photo'), though tomar una foto is also used.
Meaning: to take a photograph (verb)
Which one should you use?
While foto is the common shortened form, fotografía is the full, more formal noun for photograph. If you are referring specifically to a snapshot or an instant photo, you should use instantánea. Additionally, fotito is a diminutive form used to add a playful and affectionate tone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun foto is feminine, so it takes the feminine article la (the photo) instead of the masculine el.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfoto/
Did you know?
- The word foto is a feminine noun even though it ends in o, which usually signals a masculine noun in Spanish.
- While sacar means 'to take', it literally means 'to pull out' or 'to extract', reflecting the old process of developing a photo from a negative.
- In many Latin American dialects, the phrase sacarse una foto (using the reflexive 'se') is used when the speaker is part of the photo, like a selfie.
Examples in context
- Él tuiteó esa foto.He tweeted that photo.This sentence shows how to use foto when discussing social media.Tatoeba #9980491 by manufrutos, translation #8398551 by Amastan
- ¿Dónde está su foto?Where's his photo?This sentence uses foto to ask about the location of a photograph.Tatoeba #2294380 by Shishir, translation #13089284 by araneo
- Me mandaste tu foto.You sent me your photo.This sentence uses foto to describe receiving a photograph.Tatoeba #4492406 by Shishir, translation #1589716 by trieuho
- Por favor, pase y admire las hermosas fotografías en esta exposición.Please come in and admire the beautiful photos in this exhibition.
- En el viaje, tomé varias instantáneas hermosas de paisajes impresionantes.During the trip, I took several beautiful snapshots of stunning landscapes.
- ¿Podría mostrarme la foto de su familia que mencionó anteriormente?Could you show me the photo of your family you mentioned earlier?
- Acuérdate de enviarme esa fotito que tomaste el otro día en la fiesta.Remember to send me that little photo you took the other day at the party.
- Chequea esto, ¿recuerdas la foto que te mencioné? ¡Es increíble!Check this out, remember the photo I told you about? It's amazing!
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A sunny park during a weekend walk.
- Sofía¡Mira, Alejandro! Sácame una foto.Look, Alejandro! Take a photo of me.
- AlejandroClaro, ¿quieres que sea una foto de cuerpo entero?Sure, do you want it to be a full-body photo?
- SofíaSí, por favor, quiero que se vea el paisaje.Yes, please, I want the landscape to show.
- AlejandroPerfecto, quédate quieta para la foto.Perfect, stay still for the photo.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry foto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
