合影

• Pinyin: hé yǐng
• Hanzi breakdown: 合 = 亼 + 口 — together; 影 = 景 (scenery/scene) + 彡 (rays/shadow strokes) — image/reflection/photo

Meaning

To take a group photo together; a group photograph. Covers both the act of posing for the photo and the resulting image.

A common social activity in Chinese culture at formal events, celebrations, graduation ceremonies, and tourist sites. Group photos serve as tangible commemorations of gatherings and mark significant moments. The word functions as both a verb (to pose together for a photo) and a noun (the group photo itself).

Examples

1. 毕业典礼结束后，同学们在校门前合影留念，记录下这段珍贵的青春岁月。 After the graduation ceremony, the classmates took a group photo in front of the school gate to commemorate these precious years of youth.
2. 领导人会见代表团成员后，双方在会议厅里合影，气氛友好而庄重。 After meeting with members of the delegation, the leaders took a group photo in the conference hall in a friendly yet solemn atmosphere.
3. 与知名作家合影是他这次文学节之行最难忘的收获之一。 Taking a photo with the famous writer was one of the most unforgettable highlights of his trip to the literary festival.

Usage Guide

Context: social events, ceremonies, tourism, celebrations

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 会议结束后，全体与会者在大厅合影留念，气氛融洽。(After the conference concluded, all attendees took a group photo in the hall as a memento, in a warm atmosphere.)
• 能否请您和我们合影一张，作为这次访问的纪念。(Could we ask you to take a group photo with us as a memento of this visit?)

Don't Say

• 合影 when referring to a solo portrait — use 照相 or 拍照 for general photography; 合影 specifically implies at least two people posing together

Origin & History

合 (together; jointly) + 影 (shadow; image; photograph)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal