撮る

• Reading: とる
• Romaji: toru
• Kanji breakdown: 撮 (satsu/to) — to photograph, to film
• Pronunciation: /to.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To take (a photograph); to shoot (a video). Essential for everyday situations involving cameras and phones.

A Group 1 (godan) transitive verb conjugated with the る ending (撮って, 撮った, 撮ります). Distinct from 取る (to take/grab) — 撮る is specifically for photography and video. Commonly paired with 写真 (shashin — photograph) as 写真を撮る.

Examples

1. 友達と写真を撮りました。 I took a photo with my friends.
2. この景色を撮ってもいいですか。 Is it okay if I take a picture of this scenery?
3. スマホで動画を撮っています。 I'm shooting a video on my phone.

Usage Guide

Context: tourism, daily life, social media

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

The kanji 撮 combines 手 (hand radical) with 最 (most/utmost), suggesting the hand capturing the best moment — fitting for photography.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal