相机

• Pinyin: xiàng jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 相 = 木 (wood) + 目 (eye), to look/observe; 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small table), simplified from 機

Meaning

Camera. A device used for taking photographs.

Short for 照相机 (zhàoxiàngjī). In modern usage, 相机 can refer to both traditional film cameras and digital cameras. For phone cameras, Chinese typically uses 手机相机 or just 拍照 (to take a photo). Related words include 摄影 (photography) and 拍照 (to take a photo).

Examples

1. 我买了一个新相机。 I bought a new camera.
2. 你能用相机帮我拍张照片吗？ Can you take a photo for me with the camera?
3. 这个相机拍的照片很清楚。 The photos taken by this camera are very clear.

Usage Guide

Context: photography, travel, shopping

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你的相机是什么牌子的？(What brand is your camera?)
• 别忘了带相机去旅行。(Don't forget to bring the camera on the trip.)

Don't Say

• 我用相机打电话 (Don't confuse 相机 with 手机 — 相机 is specifically a camera, not a phone; say 手机 for mobile phone)

Origin & History

相 (xiàng, appearance/image) + 机 (jī, machine). Literally 'image machine' — a machine that captures images. Shortened from 照相机 (photo-taking machine).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal