写真撮影
shashin satsuei
The English word photography can be translated into Japanese as 写真撮影 (shashin satsuei) or 写真術.
Meaning: art and technology of producing images on photosensitive surfaces (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 写真撮影 | shashin satsuei |
| 写真術 | shashinjutsu |
The term photography can be translated in two ways depending on whether you mean the act of taking pictures or the technical craft itself. 写真撮影 refers to the action or process of taking photographs. 写真術 refers to the art, technology or techniques used in photography.
What does it mean word for word?
写真撮影 is composed of 写真 (shashin), meaning 'photograph' and 撮影 (satsuei), meaning 'filming' or 'taking a shot'.
Which one should you use?
写真撮影 refers to the act or process of taking photographs, whereas 写真術 refers to the technical art or craft of photography.
How do you pronounce it?
shashin satsuei
Did you know?
- Japanese has a dedicated word 撮り鉄 (toritetsu) for 'railway photography enthusiasts', blending the word for 'shooting' from 撮影 with 'iron' to describe a specific subculture.
- While 写真術 (shashin-jutsu) refers to the art of photography, the suffix 術 (jutsu) is the same one found in 忍術 (ninjutsu), the 'art' or 'technique' of the ninja.
- The word 写真 (shashin) literally means 'copying' (写) a 'truth' or 'reality' (真). This defines photography not as an image, but as the act of duplicating the truth.
Examples in context
- 写真撮影に興味ある？Are you interested in photography?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has an interest in the action of 写真撮影.Tatoeba #8844984 by bunbuku, translation #6713260 by CK
- 写真撮影禁止。Photography is prohibited.This sentence is useful for stating that the action of 写真撮影 is prohibited.Tatoeba #5918783 by Sethlang, translation #5918697 by Sethlang
- 写真術や写真撮影についてお話できますか？Can we talk about photography and taking pictures?
- 最近、写真を撮るのにハマっているんだよね！Lately, I've been obsessed with taking photos!
- 写真撮影の技術は難しいです。shashin satsuei no gijutsu wa muzukashii desu.The technique of photography is difficult.
Example conversation
At a camera shop, discussing a hobby.
- 美咲 Misaki写真撮影のコツを教えてくれますか？shashin satsuei no kotsu o oshiete kuremasu ka?Can you teach me the tips for photography?
- 大翔 Hirotoもちろんです。まずは光を意識しましょう。mochiron desu. mazu wa hikari o ishiki shimashou.Of course. First, let's be conscious of the light.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんはいつも上手ですね。Hiroto-san wa itsumo jouzu desu ne.Hiroto, you are always so good at it.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲さんも練習すればすぐ慣れますよ。Misaki-san mo renshuu sureba sugu naremasu yo.Misaki, you'll get used to it soon if you practice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “photography” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
