How to Say "Picture" in Arabic

صُورَة

ṣūrafeminine

The English word "picture" is translated into Arabic as صُورَة (ṣūra). Wiktionary also lists صُورَة شَمْسِيَّة (ṣūra šamsiyya).

Meaning: photograph (noun)

Ways to say it

“picture” in Arabic
Arabic	Romanization (Wiktionary)	Note
صُورَة	ṣūra	feminine
صُورَة شَمْسِيَّة	ṣūra šamsiyya	feminine

The word صُورَة is a feminine noun used to refer to a photograph.

The word صُورَة literally means 'image', 'form' or 'shape'.

While صُورَة means any picture, صُورَة شَمْسِيَّة (literally 'solar picture') is the specific term used for a passport-sized photograph.

The plural form of صُورَة is صُوَر.

ṣūra

The root of صُورَة is related to the concept of 'shaping' or 'molding' an object. This connects the idea of a static photograph to the physical act of giving something a form.
The term صُورَة شَمْسِيَّة is used for passport photos because it refers to the way light and sun once helped develop film. It literally translates to 'solar picture'.
In classical Arabic literature, the term صُورَة is often used to describe the 'appearance' or 'essence' of a being, rather than just a visual image.

أريد أن ألتقط صورة للمعلمة في الحديقة.
I want to take a picture of the teacher in the park.
هل يُسمح بأخذ صورة للوحة الفنية؟
Is it allowed to take a picture of the artwork?
شوف صوري في الكاميرا!
Look at my pictures on the camera!
هَذِهِ صُورَةٌ جَمِيلَةٌ.
hadhihi suratun jamilatun.
This is a beautiful picture.

Mariam and Ahmed are looking at a photo album.

مريم Maryam

اُنْظُرْ إِلَى هَذِهِ الصُّورَةِ.
unzur ila hadhihi al-surati.
Look at this picture.
أحمد Ahmed

إنَّهَا صُورَةٌ رَائِعَةٌ يَا مَرْيَمُ.
innaha suratun ra'i'atun ya Mariyamu.
It is a wonderful picture, Mariam.
مريم Maryam

هِيَ صُورَةٌ قَدِيمَةٌ لِعَائِلَتِنَا.
hiya suratun qadimatu li-'a'ilatina.
It is an old picture of our family.
أحمد Ahmed

أَنَا أُحِبُّ هَذِهِ الصُّورَةَ كَثِيرًا.
ana uhibbu hadhihi al-surata kathiran.
I love this picture very much.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏