照片
zhàopiàn
The English word 'picture' is translated into Chinese as 照片 (zhàopiàn). Wiktionary also lists 相片 (xiàngpiàn).
Meaning: photograph (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 照片 | zhàopiàn |
| 相片 | xiàngpiàn |
When you are referring specifically to a photograph, use 照片 or 相片. If you are referring to a digital image, a graphic or a generic illustration rather than a photo, use 图片 (túpiàn). To say 'to take a picture', use the verb-object construction 拍照 (pāizhào).
Which one should you use?
照片 is the standard and most common term for a photograph in both spoken and written Chinese. In contrast, 图片 refers to a more generic 'picture' such as a graphic or an illustration.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong and Guangdong Province, people often use the term 相片 to refer to a 'picture' or 'photo.'
How does it change in a sentence?
The most common measure word used with 照片 is 张 (zhāng), which is used for flat objects such as paper or photos.
How do you pronounce it?
zhàopiàn
Did you know?
- The character 照 (zhào) in the word for 'photograph' is also found in 照妖镜 (zhào yāojìng), a mythical mirror from Chinese folklore used to reveal the true form of demons.
- While 照片 (zhàopiàn) is used for photos, a 'profile picture' on social media is called 头像 (tóuxiàng), which literally translates to 'head image'.
- The term 照片 (zhàopiàn) literally breaks down into 'light' and 'slice' or 'sheet', reflecting the way light hits a physical sheet of film to create an image.
Examples in context
- 汤姆看了看照片。Tom looked at the picture.This sentence shows someone looking at a 照片.Tatoeba #8839902 by crescat, translation #3122135 by CK
- 那是一張舊照片。That's an old picture.This sentence describes an old 照片.Tatoeba #13788187 by LeviHighway, translation #3308237 by CK
- 这张照片在哪儿照的？Where was this picture taken?This sentence asks where a 照片 was taken.Tatoeba #4887725 by musclegirlxyp, translation #1886607 by CK
- 请给我看一张你的照片。Please show me one of your pictures.
- 我最近拍了很多漂亮的图片。I recently took many beautiful pictures.
- 这是我在香港拍的相片。This is a picture I took in Hong Kong.
- 我们今天一起照相吧！Let's take a picture together today!
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at a phone together.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这张照片很漂亮。Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn hěn piàoliang.This photo is very beautiful.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也很喜欢这张照片。Wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān zhè zhāng zhàopiàn.I also like this photo very much.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这张照片是你拍的吗？Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn shì nǐ pāi de ma?Did you take this photo?
- 雨婷 Yuting不是，是朋友拍的。Bú shì, shì péngyou pāi de.No, a friend took it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “picture” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
