fotos
/fotos/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'pictures' is translated into Spanish as fotos.
Fotos refers to images captured by a camera. To express the act of taking pictures, it is common to use the phrase sacar fotos, where the verb sacar literally means 'to take out' or 'to extract'.
What does it mean word for word?
Fotos is a shortened form of fotografías, which means 'photographs'.
Which one should you use?
Use fotos specifically for photographic images. If the picture is a drawing or sketch, use dibujos and if the picture is a work of art made with paint, use pinturas.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, fotos and imágenes are the most widely used terms in colloquial language.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word fotos is feminine, so when using the definite article 'the', you must use las fotos.
How do you pronounce it?
/fotos/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, the word foto is used slangily to describe someone who is very static or frozen in a situation, as in quedarse como una foto.
- The word fotografía shares its root with the English word 'photography', both coming from the Greek words phōs meaning 'light' and graphé meaning 'writing'.
- When referring to a 'photo op' or a staged picture, Spanish speakers often use the term foto de rigor, which literally means a 'photo of ritual' or 'mandatory photo'.
Examples in context
- Tom vio las fotos.Tom saw the pictures.This sentence shows how to use fotos to indicate seeing the pictures.Tatoeba #6760825 by swyter, translation #3308233 by CK
- Le gusta sacar fotos.She likes taking pictures.This sentence demonstrates the common phrase sacar fotos to mean taking pictures.Tatoeba #1835187 by Shishir, translation #859995 by piksea
- Me gusta sacar fotos.I enjoy taking pictures.This sentence also shows the use of sacar fotos for the act of taking pictures.Tatoeba #2789840 by marcelostockle, translation #265308 by CK
- La exposición de arte está compuesta por hermosas fotografías en blanco y negro.The art exhibition is composed of beautiful black and white photographs.
- En el museo, aprecié las impresionantes imágenes que retratan la historia del país.In the museum, I appreciated the impressive images that portray the history of the country.
- La exposición muestra bellas instantáneas de la naturaleza en su estado más puro.The exhibition shows beautiful snapshots of nature in its purest state.
- En mi último viaje, tomé muchas fotos de los paisajes impresionantes que visité.On my last trip, I took many photos of the impressive landscapes I visited.
- Mi amigo es un fotógrafo talentoso que se especializa en retratos en blanco y negro.My friend is a talented photographer who specializes in black and white portraits.
- 124 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are looking at a phone screen.
- MateoMira estas fotos del viaje.Look at these photos from the trip.
- Lucía¡Qué fotos tan bonitas!What beautiful photos!
- Mateo¿Quieres que te mande las fotos?Do you want me to send you the photos?
- LucíaSí, por favor, mándamelas.Yes, please, send them to me.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
