How to say "photo" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 写真しゃしんnounThe word for an actual photograph or picture, printed or digital; it also covers photography as an activity. Use it when talking about photos you took, shared, or asked someone to take.
- nounThe borrowed word for photo, mostly met in signs, menus, and service or app names rather than plain sentences; for an ordinary mention of a photograph, 写真 is the word you want.
Use 写真 for photographs, pictures, and photography in ordinary speech and writing; 「フォト」 is the borrowed word, met mainly in signs, menus, and service or app names rather than plain sentences.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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