Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| foto | /ˈfɔ.to/ | feminine |
| fotografia | /fo.to.ɡraˈfi.a/ | feminine |
The term refers specifically to a photograph. While you might use scatto to refer informally to a specific shot or snap, or immagine to refer to a general image or representation, foto is the standard term for a photo. If you are talking about the object a picture sits in, use cornice for a picture frame. To say 'to take a picture', Italians use the expression fare una foto, literally using the verb 'to make' rather than 'to take'.
Which one should you use?
foto is the most common way to refer to a picture in everyday conversation. In contrast, fotografia is the full form and is more formal, typically used in professional, artistic or technical contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both foto and fotografia are feminine nouns. While the plural of the formal fotografia is fotografie, the plural of the shortened foto remains foto.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables, with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈfɔ.to/.
Did you know?
- The word fotografia is built from two Greek roots, where grafia means 'writing', suggesting that a photo is a way of 'writing with light'.
- The word scatto is used to mean a 'shot' or a 'snap' in photography, but it is also the same word used for a 'sprint' in athletics or a 'kick' in sports.
- The word cornice refers to the frame around a 'picture', but in a broader sense, it can also be used to describe the 'setting' or 'background' of a situation.
Examples in context
- Lei ha una foto.She has a picture.This sentence shows how to use foto to indicate possession.Tatoeba #1137561 by Guybrush88, translation #314801 by CK
- Ha una mia foto?Do you have a picture of me?This sentence shows how to use foto to ask if someone possesses a specific picture.Tatoeba #8818898 by Guybrush88, translation #3911588 by CH
- Le feci una foto.I took a picture of her.This sentence demonstrates the use of the verb 'fare' in the context of foto.Tatoeba #1295877 by Guybrush88, translation #309363 by CK
- Ho scattato una fotografia meravigliosa durante il mio viaggioI took a wonderful picture during my trip.
- Ho appeso un ritratto di famiglia nella salaI hung a family picture in the living room.
- Ho scattato una foto della spiaggiaI took a picture of the beach.
- Ho fatto uno scatto fantastico durante la festaI took a fantastic shot during the party.
- Hai visto l'immagine che ho postato su Instagram?Did you see the picture I uploaded on Instagram?
- Ho comprato una bellissima cornice per l'immagineI bought a beautiful frame for the picture.
- 557 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Alessandro are looking at a smartphone.
- SofiaGuarda questa foto di Alessandro.Look at this photo of Alessandro.
- AlessandroSì, è una bella foto.Yes, it is a nice photo.
- SofiaTi piace la mia foto?Do you like my photo?
- AlessandroSì, la foto è fantastica.Yes, the photo is fantastic.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “picture” translations and entries foto, fotografia, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries foto, fotografia, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
