Meaning and Usage
"写真" (しゃしん) means "photo" or "picture" in Japanese. It refers to images captured by a camera or similar device. This word is very common in everyday conversation when talking about photography, memories, or sharing images.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "写真" used when discussing trips, events, or family moments. For example, "旅行の写真" (travel photos) or "家族の写真" (family photos).
Collocations and Patterns
- 写真を撮る (しゃしんをとる): to take a photo
- 写真を見る (しゃしんをみる): to look at photos
- 写真を見せる (しゃしんをみせる): to show photos
These phrases are very useful in daily conversation.
Register and Politeness
"写真" is neutral and polite enough for everyday use, formal situations, and casual talk.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "絵" (え, painting/drawing) with "写真". Remember, "写真" specifically means a photo taken by a camera, not a hand-drawn picture.