tomar una foto
/tomaɾ una foto/from spelling rules
To take a picture in Spanish, you can use tomar una foto. Wiktionary also lists hacer una fotografía and sacar una foto.
Meaning: capture an image (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| tomar una foto | /tomaɾ una foto/ (from spelling rules) |
| hacer una fotografía | /aθeɾ una fotoɡɾafia/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /aseɾ una fotoɡɾafia/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
| sacar una foto | /sakaɾ una foto/ (from spelling rules) |
All provided forms are used to express the act of capturing an image.
Which one should you use?
Hacer una fotografía sounds more formal or professional than the more common versions like tomar or sacar.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, tomar una foto is more commonly used. In Spain, hacer una foto is often used instead of tomar una fotografía. In Colombia, sacar una foto is widely used and understood.
How do you pronounce it?
/tomaɾ una foto/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using the verb llevar (to carry or take something to a place) to mean taking a picture. Instead, use tomar or sacar.
Did you know?
- While tomar is used for taking a photo, it is also the primary verb used for drinking a beverage in many regions.
- The verb sacar used in 'take a picture' may have evolved from the Gothic word sakan, which meant 'to dispute' or 'to rebuke'.
- The word foto is a 'clipping', a linguistic term for a word created by shortening a longer word, in this case fotografía.
Examples in context
- ¿Me puede sacar una foto?Could you take a picture of me?This sentence shows how to ask someone to use the form sacar una foto to take a picture of you.Tatoeba #2949052 by wallebot, translation #3753006 by cromwellt
- ¿Te puedo tomar una foto?Can I take a picture of you?This sentence demonstrates asking permission to use the form tomar una foto to take a picture of someone.Tatoeba #4719497 by cueyayotl, translation #3494628 by Hybrid
- ¿Me puedes tomar una foto?Can you take a picture of me?This sentence is a way to ask someone to use the form tomar una foto to take a picture of you.Tatoeba #9672801 by stormy_clau, translation #9672461 by carlosalberto
- Disculpe, ¿podría tomar una fotografía por favor?Excuse me, could you take a picture, please?
- Señor, ¿podría sacar una foto, por favor?Sir, could you take a picture, please?
- Oye, ¿me puedes tomar una foto?Hey, could you take a picture of me?
- Chicos, ¿me pueden sacar una foto?Guys, could you take a picture of me?
- ¿Podría tomar una fotografía de nosotros, por favor?Could you please take a picture of us?
- Quiero tomarme una selfie.I want to take a selfie.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are visiting a beautiful park.
- ElenaEste paisaje es hermoso, quiero tomar una foto.This landscape is beautiful, I want to take a picture.
- JavierYo también. ¿Quieres salir en la imagen?Me too. Do you want to be in the image?
- ElenaSí, ¿puedes tomar una foto de nosotros dos?Yes, can you take a picture of the two of us?
- JavierClaro, Elena. ¡Sonrían!Of course, Elena. Smile!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “take a picture” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries foto, fotografía, hacer, sacar, tomar, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
