사진
sajin[sʰa̠d͡ʑin]
The English word "picture" is translated to Korean as 사진 (sajin).
사진 is the most common and widely used term for a picture in Korean, specifically referring to a photograph. If you want to say "to take a picture", you use the phrase 사진 찍다. To refer to a selfie, the specific term is 셀카.
Meaning: photograph (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 사진 refers specifically to a photograph, the word 그림 is used when you mean a drawing or a painting. If you are referring to a work of art, the term 미술작품 is used.
How do you pronounce it?
sajin
Did you know?
- The term 인생샷 refers to a 'life shot', which is a 사진 so perfect that it is considered the best photograph a person will ever take in their entire lifetime.
- When taking a group 사진, it is common for the photographer to shout 하나, 둘, 셋 (one, two, three) or the English loanword 'cheese', but they may also say 김치 (kimchi) to prompt a smile.
- The word 사진 literally translates to 'depicting the truth'.
Examples in context
- 제 프로필 사진 예뻐요?Is my profile picture beautiful?This sentence is useful for asking if a profile picture is beautiful.Tatoeba #8577707 by ssuss32, translation #7847180 by MisterBrown
- 이 사진 일주일 전에 찍었어.I took this picture a week ago.This sentence is useful for saying a picture was taken a week ago.Tatoeba #9696364 by Eunhee, translation #1104791 by jackloring
- 사진 갖고 있어?Do you have the picture?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a picture.Tatoeba #11107560 by intertime, translation #2645535 by CK
- 사진을 찍다to take a picture
- 이 미술작품은 정말 아름답습니다.This piece of artwork is truly beautiful.
- 그림을 보여주세요.Please show me the picture.
- 사진을 찍어주세요Please take a picture!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are looking at a photo album.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 이 사진은 누구예요?minjun ssi, i sajin-eun nuguyeyo?Min-jun, who is in this photograph?
- 민준 Min-jun제 고등학교 때 친구예요.je godeunghakgyo ttae chin-guyeyo.It is my friend from high school.
- 지은 Ji-eun사진 속의 모습이 아주 밝네요.sajin sogui moseubi aju balgneyo.The appearance in the photograph is very bright.
- 민준 Min-jun지은 씨도 사진 찍는 거 좋아해요?jieun ssi-do sajin jjikneun geo joahaeyo?Ji-eun, do you also like taking photographs?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “picture” translations and entries 사진, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 사진, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
