Translation and Meaning of: 写真 - shashin
If you are learning Japanese or are curious about Japanese culture, you have probably come across the word 写真[しゃしん]. It is common in everyday life and appears in various contexts, from informal conversations to more formal situations. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of this word, along with tips for memorizing it and interesting facts about its presence in Japanese society.
Understanding how 写真 [しゃしん] is used can help not only in language learning but also in understanding cultural aspects related to photography in Japan. We will cover everything from its writing in kanji to practical examples of how it appears in everyday life. If you want to know more about this word and how to apply it correctly, keep reading!
Meaning and origin of 写真[しゃしん]
The word 写真[しゃしん] means "photography" or "photo" in Japanese. It is composed of two kanji: 写 (which can mean "to copy" or "to reproduce") and 真 (which carries the meaning of "truth" or "reality"). Together, these characters form the idea of "reproducing reality," which makes perfect sense when we think about the concept of photography.
The origin of the word dates back to the Meiji period (1868-1912), when photography was introduced in Japan. At that time, the term was created to describe this new technology that captured real images. Before that, the Japanese used borrowed words from Dutch or longer descriptions to refer to portraits and images.
Everyday use and cultural importance
In Japan, 写真[しゃしん] is an extremely common word, especially in a society that values the visual documentation of important moments. It appears in contexts such as tourism (to ask someone to take a photo), in commercial establishments (such as on "no photography" signs), and even in traditional ceremonies.
A cultural curiosity is that the Japanese often say 写真を撮る[しゃしんをとる] (take a photo) quite frequently, especially during trips and events. The act of photographing is seen not just as a record but as part of the experience itself. In temples and historical sites, it's common to see signs indicating where 写真撮影[しゃしんさつえい] (photography) is allowed or not.
Tips for memorizing and using correctly
To memorize 写真[しゃしん], an effective technique is to associate the kanjis with their meaning. Think of 写 as "copy" and 真 as "truth" - together, they form the idea of "copying the truth," which is essentially what a photograph does. Another tip is to practice with simple sentences like 写真を撮ってもいいですか？[しゃしんをとってもいいですか？] ("May I take a photo?"), very useful for tourists.
It is important to note that 写真[しゃしん] specifically refers to photographs, not images in general (for that, one would use 画像[がぞう]). It is also worth remembering that, although it is a word of Chinese origin (like many Japanese terms), its pronunciation is the on'yomi reading, typical of words composed of kanji in modern Japanese.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 写真画 (Shashinga) - Photographic painting
- フォト (Foto) - Photo, abbreviation for photography
- フォトグラフ (Fotogurafu) - Photography
- 写真像 (Shashinzō) - Photographic image
- 写真写 (Shashinsha) - Photographic reproduction
- 写真撮影 (Shashinsatsuei) - Photography capture
- 写真画像 (Shashingazō) - Imagem de foto
- 写真撮り (Shashintori) - Take photos
- 写真撮影作品 (Shashinsatsuei sakuhin) - Photography work
- 写真撮影技術 (Shashinsatsuei gijutsu) - Photography capture technology
- 写真撮影者 (Shashinsatsueisha) - Photographer
- 写真撮影用品 (Shashinsatsuei yōhin) - Photography equipment
- 写真撮影機 (Shashinsatsuei ki) - Specific photography equipment
- 写真撮影業 (Shashinsatsuei gyō) - Photography industry
- 写真撮影道具 (Shashinsatsuei dōgu) - Photography tools
- 写真撮影館 (Shashinsatsuekkan) - Photography studio
- 写真撮影集 (Shashinsatsuishū) - Collection of photographs
Romaji: shashin
Kana: しゃしん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: Photography
Meaning in English: photograph
Definition: Videos and images taken with a camera, etc.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (写真) shashin
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (写真) shashin:
Example Sentences - (写真) shashin
See below some example sentences:
Genzō wa shashin o insatsu suru tame ni hitsuyōna purosesu desu
Development is a necessary process for printing photos.
Development is the process required to print photos.
- 現像 - revelation process
- 写真 - Photography
- 印刷 - Print
- する - verb "to do"
- ために - for
- 必要な - necessary
- プロセス - process
- です - verb to be"
Shashin wo torimasu
I take pictures.
take a picture.
- 写真 (shashin) - Photography
- を (wo) - Direct object particle
- 撮ります (torimasu) - Take/make a photo
Shashin ga boyakeru
The photo is blurry.
The photo is blurred.
- 写真 - Photography
- が - Subject particle
- ぼやける - Blur, blur
Kamera de shashin o torimashita
I took a picture with the camera.
I took a picture with the camera.
- カメラ (kamera) - câmera
- で (de) - with
- 写真 (shashin) - Photograph
- を (wo) - direct object
- 撮りました (torimashita) - took (past)
Kono shashin o kakudai shite mite mimashou
Let's zoom in on this photo and take a look.
Let's expand this photo.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- 写真 - noun meaning "photo"
- を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
- 拡大 - verb meaning "to enlarge"
- して - particle indicating complementary action
- 見て - verb meaning "to see"
- みましょう - polite form of the verb indicating "let's do it"
Kono shashin no shōten wa nan desu ka?
What is the focus of this photo?
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 写真 - noun meaning "photograph" or "image"
- の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words
- 焦点 - noun meaning "focal point" or "focus"
- は - particle indicating the theme or subject of the sentence
- 何 - interrogative pronoun that means "what"
- です - Verb to be/estar in the present
- か - Particle that indicates a question
Kono shashin wa totemo haeru
This photo is very beautiful.
This picture shines a lot.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- 写真 - noun meaning "photo"
- は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this photo"
- とても - adverb meaning "very"
- 映える - verb meaning "to shine" or "to stand out"
Kono shashin wa insutaguramu ni noru beki da
This photo should be posted on Instagram.
This photo should be on Instagram.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- 写真 - noun meaning "photo"
- は - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- インスタグラム - noun meaning "Instagram"
- に - particle indicating where something is being posted
- 載る - verb meaning "to be posted"
- べき - Suffix indicating obligation or duty
- だ - auxiliary verb indicating affirmative
Sutorobo wo tsukatte shashin wo torimashita
I took a photo using the flash.
I took a picture using a strobe light.
- ストロボ (sutorobo) - flash
- を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto do verbo
- 使って (tsukatte) - using
- 写真 (shashin) - fotografia
- を (wo) - partícula que indica o objeto do verbo
- 撮りました (torimashita) - tirou (uma fotografia)
Shashin ni utsuru
Be captured in a photo.
In the photo.
- 写真 (shashin) - Photography
- に (ni) - particle indicating the object or place of action
- 写る (utsuru) - be reflected, be captured in a photograph
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
