写真を撮る
shashin o toru
To say take a photo in Japanese, use 写真を撮る (shashin o toru).
写真を撮る means to take a picture with a camera or phone.
What does it mean word for word?
写真 means photo, を marks the object and 撮る (toru) means to take, used specifically for photos and videos.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The dictionary form 写真を撮る is used in casual speech and in writing. The polite form 写真を撮ります suits strangers and professional settings. Among friends, 写真を撮って。 means take a photo and 写真を撮るよ。 means I'll take a photo.
How does it change in a sentence?
The polite past, took a photo, is 写真を撮りました. To ask someone to take a photo for you, say 写真を撮ってください. To ask for permission, say 写真を撮ってもいいですか？
How do you pronounce it?
It is read shashin o toru.
When do people say it?
Before photographing someone, people often ask すみません、写真を撮ってもいいですか？, excuse me, may I take a photo.
Did you know?
- The word 写真 ('shashin') literally translates to 'copying truth'.
- In Japan, it is common to make a 'V' sign with your fingers when someone says 写真を撮る, a gesture that became a national cultural staple long before the digital age.
- The verb 撮る ('toru') used for photography is a homophone of the more common verb 取る ('toru'), which means 'to take' or 'to pick up' an object.
Examples in context
- ここで写真を撮る。koko de shashin o toru.I will take a photo here.
Example conversation
Yui and Ren are at a tourist spot.
- 結衣 Yui蓮くん、私の写真を撮ってくれる？Ren-kun, watashi no shashin o totte kureru?Ren, can you take a photo of me?
- 蓮 Renいいよ。どこに立ちたい？Ii yo. Doko ni tachitai?Sure. Where do you want to stand?
- 結衣 Yuiあの木の前に立つね。Ano ki no mae ni tatsu ne.I'll stand in front of that tree.
- 蓮 Renわかった。じゃあ、写真を撮るよ！Wakatta. Jaa, shashin o toru yo!Got it. Okay, I'll take the photo!
