Translation and Meaning of: 撮る - toru

The Japanese word 撮る[とる] is a verb that can cause some confusion for beginner students, especially due to its similarity to other that also mean "to take" or "to capture." In this article, we will explore its meaning, everyday usage, and some curiosities about how this word fits into the Japanese language. If you've ever wondered when and how to use 撮る correctly, this guide will clarify your doubts in a simple and straightforward manner.

In addition to explaining the basic meaning of 撮る, we will address its application in specific contexts, such as photography and visual recording. Suki Nihongo, the best online Japanese dictionary, provides practical examples to aid in learning, and here you will understand why this word is so useful in everyday life in Japan.

Meaning and use of 撮る

撮る is a Japanese verb that means "to take a photo" or "to film." Unlike other verbs such as 取る (to take) or 捕る (to catch), it is directly related to the act of capturing images. Its use is common in everyday situations, such as when someone asks to take a photo or when talking about recording a video.

An interesting feature is that 撮る is often used with objects like 写真 (shashin - photo) or ビデオ (bideo - video). For example, the phrase "写真を撮る" (shashin o toru) literally means "to take a photo". This verb is essential for anyone who wants to talk about photography or visual content production in Japanese.

Origin and writing of kanji

The kanji 撮 is composed of the radical 扌(てへん), which is related to manual actions, combined with the component 最 (which means "the most" or "extremity"). This combination suggests the idea of "capturing something with the hands," which makes sense when we think about holding a camera to take a photo. The origin of this kanji dates back to ancient Chinese, where it also had the meaning of collecting or grabbing.

It is worth noting that 撮る is not one of the oldest verbs in Japanese, but it gained popularity with the advancement of photographic technology. Its use consolidated in the 20th century, especially with the mass production of portable cameras. Today, it is an indispensable word in conversations about visual media.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to the meaning of 撮る is to associate it with concrete situations, such as the act of holding a camera. Since it is used almost exclusively for photos and videos, creating sentences like "スマホで写真を撮る" (take a photo with the cell phone) helps to cement the vocabulary. Another tip is to pay attention to animes or dramas where characters use cameras – it's common to hear this verb in such scenes.

It's important not to confuse 撮る with other similar verbs. While 取る (toru) means "to take" in a general sense, and 捕る (toru) refers to capturing animals, 撮る has a more specific use. Knowing this difference prevents embarrassing mistakes in communication. If you're in doubt, : if it involves a camera or visual recording, it’s likely 撮る.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Verb conjugation of 撮る

• 撮る - basic form
• 撮ります - polite form
• 撮るな - imperative form
• 撮らない - negative form
• 撮った - past form
• 撮れ - potential form

Synonyms and similar words

• 撮影する (satsuei suru) - Take notes on a recording, take photos.
• 取る (toru) - Take, grab, capture something.
• 写す (utsusu) - Copy or transfer an image, take a photo.
• 撮り (tori) - The continuous way of taking photos.
• 撮り取る (tori toru) - Capture and grab an image.
• 撮り直す (tori naosu) - Take a new photo, redo.
• 撮り出す (tori dasu) - Start taking photos, developing images.
• 撮り残す (tori nokosu) - Leave an uncaptured image.
• 撮り分ける (tori wakeru) - Separate images, classify photographs.
• 撮り下ろす (tori orosu) - Capture a new image, freshness.
• 撮り上げる (tori ageru) - Conclude or complete a photo session.
• 撮り込む (tori komu) - Incorporate an image, capture.
• 撮り方 (tori kata) - Photography method.
• 撮り手 (tori te) - Photographer, the person who takes photos.
• 撮り出し (tori dashi) - Process of taking and revealing photos.
• 撮り鉄 (tori tetsu) - Train photography enthusiast.
• 撮り歩き (tori aruki) - Walking while taking photos.
• 撮り師 (tori shi) - A specialist in taking photos.
• 撮り影 (tori kage) - Capturing shadows or silhouettes.
• 撮り出し機 (tori dashi ki) - Equipment for the photo development process.
• 撮り魂 (tori tamashii) - Spirit or ion for photography.
• 撮り方教室 (tori kata kyoushitsu) - Class about photography methods.
• 撮り方講座 (tori kata kouza) - Courses on photography techniques.
• 撮り方セミナー (tori kata seminaa) - Seminar on photography methods.
• 撮り方本 (tori kata hon) - Books on photography techniques.
• 撮り方ブログ (tori kata burogu) - Blog dedicated to photography methods and tips.