How to say "photography" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 撮影さつえいnoun, suru verb, transitive verbCovers photography as the act of shooting, whether stills or motion pictures; it is the word for filming or shooting a scene, not for the finished photograph.
- 写真しゃしんnounChiefly a photograph — a photo or picture; as 'photography' it names the art or hobby of taking photos, so it fits photography as an interest rather than the act of shooting.
- 写真撮影しゃしんさつえいnoun, suru verbAn explicit compound meaning the taking of photographs; unlike 撮影 it does not cover filming, so it is the choice when you need to specify still photography.
Use 撮影 for the act of shooting stills or film, 写真 for photographs and for photography as a pursuit, and 写真撮影 when you want to say explicitly the taking of photographs.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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