照相

• Pinyin: zhào xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 照 = 日 (sun) + 召 (summon) + 灬 (fire); 相 = 木 (tree) + 目 (eye)

Meaning

To take a photograph; to have one's picture taken. The act of photography.

A slightly more traditional way to say 'take a photo' compared to the more colloquial 拍照. Often appears in compound words like 照相机 (camera). Can refer to both taking photos of others and having one's own photo taken.

Examples

1. 我们在天安门前照相了。 We took photos in front of Tiananmen.
2. 他喜欢用手机照相。 He likes using his phone to take photos.
3. 照相的时候请大家笑一笑。 When taking the photo, please everyone smile.

Usage Guide

Context: travel, social

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 我们一起照相吧！(Let's take a photo together!)
• 这个地方很适合照相。(This place is great for taking photos.)

Don't Say

• 我照相了这本书。(Don't use 照相 as a transitive verb with an object — say 我给这本书拍了照片 instead.)

Origin & History

Compound of 照 (to illuminate, to reflect) and 相 (appearance/image), literally 'to capture an image.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal