foto
/ˈfɔ.to/
The Italian word for photos is foto.
foto refers to images captured by a camera. If you want to say the specific action of taking a photo, use the phrase scattare una foto. You may also encounter immagini, which can refer to both photos and images in general.
Which one should you use?
While foto is the standard everyday term, fotografie is a formal version of the word. Additionally, immagini is more general, covering both photos and any type of image.
How does it change in a sentence?
foto is an invariable noun, which means the word itself does not change form whether you are talking about one photo or many photos. To indicate that you are talking about multiple photos, you change the article instead. For example, you use the feminine plural article le to form le foto (the photos).
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈfɔ.to/. The word has 2 syllables, and the stress is on the 1st syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not add an 's' to the end of foto to make it plural. In Italian, the word remains foto regardless of how many there are.
Did you know?
- The phrase scattare una foto literally translates to 'snapping a photo'. The verb scattare refers to the sharp, clicking sound of a mechanical trigger or a spring releasing.
- When Italians talk about 'taking a photo' of someone, they might say fare una foto, which literally means 'making a photo'. This suggests the act of creating an image rather than just capturing one.
- The word immagini can refer to photos but also describes spiritual visions or psychological images.
Examples in context
- Io ho molte foto.I have a lot of photos.This sentence uses foto to express possession.Tatoeba #3013745 by Guybrush88, translation #1215944 by Kristinka
- Ci mandi le foto.Send us the photos.This sentence uses foto to express a request to send something.Tatoeba #6857547 by Guybrush88, translation #4501397 by CK
- Mi piace fare foto.I like to take photos.This sentence uses foto to express a hobby or preference.Tatoeba #756441 by Guybrush88, translation #3126552 by lavenir
- Mi hai mostrato alcune delle tue immagini più belle.You showed me some of your most beautiful photos.
- Mi hai mandato le foto della festa? Eri bellissima!Did you send me the photos from the party? You looked beautiful!
- Ricordo ancora i bei tempi e gli scatti che abbiamo fatto insieme.I still remember the good times and the snapshots we took together.
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are looking at a digital album on a phone.
- GiuliaAlessandro, guarda queste foto!Alessandro, look at these photos!
- AlessandroSono foto stupende, Giulia.They are wonderful photos, Giulia.
- GiuliaLe ho scattate durante il viaggio.I took them during the trip.
- AlessandroHai un grande talento.You have a great talent.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry foto, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
