写真を撮る
shashin o toru
To take a picture in Japanese is 写真を撮る (shashin o toru).
This phrase is used to describe the act of capturing an image with a camera. While the verb 撮る (toru) can mean 'to take' in many different contexts, such as taking a seat or a bath, it specifically means to capture an image when it is paired with 写真 (shashin). To ask for permission to take a picture, you can use the form 写真を撮ってもいいですか？ (shashin o totte mo ii desu ka?).
Meaning: capture an image (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of shashin (photograph), the particle o (the object marker) and toru (to take/capture).
How does it change in a sentence?
In polite speech, the verb toru changes to its polite form 撮ります (torimasu).
How do you pronounce it?
shashin o toru
Did you know?
- The word 写真 (shashin) literally means 'copying light'. It is composed of the characters for 'copy' and 'light'.
- In some traditional Japanese contexts, such as certain temples or shrines, taking a picture is seen as 'stealing' the spirit or essence of the object.
- In Japanese, you can say 写真を撮られる (shashin o torareru) to express being 'taken a picture by someone', which is used both for a simple action and to express being photographed without consent.
Examples in context
- 外から写真を撮る分にはいいですよ。It's OK to take a picture from outside.Tatoeba #9443653 by bunbuku, translation #2034314 by CK
- 許可なく劇場内で写真を撮ることはできません。You cannot take a picture in the theater without permission.Tatoeba #182161 by bunbuku, translation #19386 by CC
- 写真を撮るには、このボタンを押せばいいだけですよ。You just need to press this button to take a picture.Tatoeba #11529831 by small_snow, translation #2054009 by AlanF_US
- すみません、写真を撮っていただけますか？Excuse me, can you take a picture (for me)?
- はい、もちろんお撮りします。Yes, of course, I will take a picture (for you).
- 写真を撮って！Take a picture!
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
