Capturing memories through photographs is a universal activity, and knowing how to talk about photos in Korean is essential whether you’re traveling, making friends, or simply sharing experiences. This guide covers the fundamental Korean word for “photo” and provides various practical expressions for taking, viewing, and discussing pictures in different situations.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 사진
Pronunciation: sa-jin
Meaning: Photo, picture
Basic Phrases
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Expression: 사진 찍다
Pronunciation: sa-jin jjik-da
Meaning: To take a photo -
Expression: 사진 보다
Pronunciation: sa-jin bo-da
Meaning: To look at a photo -
Expression: 사진 보여주다
Pronunciation: sa-jin bo-yeo-ju-da
Meaning: To show a photo -
Expression: 사진 인화하다
Pronunciation: sa-jin in-hwa-ha-da
Meaning: To print a photo -
Expression: 사진 보내다
Pronunciation: sa-jin bo-nae-da
Meaning: To send a photo -
Expression: 사진첩
Pronunciation: sa-jin-cheop
Meaning: Photo album -
Expression: 단체 사진
Pronunciation: dan-che sa-jin
Meaning: Group photo -
Expression: 증명 사진
Pronunciation: jeung-myeong sa-jin
Meaning: ID photo, passport photo -
Expression: 풍경 사진
Pronunciation: pung-gyeong sa-jin
Meaning: Landscape photo -
Expression: 셀카 (셀프 카메라)
Pronunciation: sel-ka (sel-peu ka-me-ra)
Meaning: Selfie (Self Camera) -
Expression: 사진 편집하다
Pronunciation: sa-jin pyeon-jip-ha-da
Meaning: To edit a photo -
Expression: 사진 공유하다
Pronunciation: sa-jin gong-yu-ha-da
Meaning: To share a photo
Asking for Photos
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Expression: 사진 좀 찍어 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin jom jji-geo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please take a picture for me/us? (Polite) -
Expression: 여기서 사진 찍어도 돼요?
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-seo sa-jin jji-geo-do dwae-yo?
Meaning: Is it okay to take pictures here? -
Expression: 같이 사진 찍어요!
Pronunciation: ga-chi sa-jin jji-geo-yo!
Meaning: Let’s take a picture together! -
Expression: 이 배경으로 사진 찍어 주세요.
Pronunciation: i bae-gyeong-eu-ro sa-jin jji-geo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please take a picture with this background. -
Expression: 사진 한 장만 더 찍어 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin han jang-man deo jji-geo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you take just one more picture? -
Expression: 찍은 사진 좀 보여주세요.
Pronunciation: jji-geun sa-jin jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please show me the picture(s) you took. -
Expression: 이 사진 저한테 보내줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: i sa-jin jeo-han-te bo-nae-jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Can you send this picture to me? -
Expression: 여행 사진 있어요?
Pronunciation: yeo-haeng sa-jin i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Do you have any travel photos? -
Expression: 카메라 좀 봐주세요.
Pronunciation: ka-me-ra jom bwa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please look at the camera. -
Expression: 하나, 둘, 셋! (사진 찍을 때)
Pronunciation: ha-na, dul, set! (sa-jin jji-geul ttae)
Meaning: One, two, three! (When taking a photo) -
Expression: 김치! (사진 찍을 때)
Pronunciation: gim-chi! (sa-jin jji-geul ttae)
Meaning: Kimchi! (Say cheese! – Common phrase when taking photos in Korea)
Describing and Commenting on Photos
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Expression: 사진 잘 나왔네요!
Pronunciation: sa-jin jal na-wan-ne-yo!
Meaning: The photo came out well! / You look good in the photo! -
Expression: 이 사진 마음에 들어요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin ma-eu-me deu-reo-yo.
Meaning: I like this photo. -
Expression: 이 사진은 어디서 찍었어요?
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-eun eo-di-seo jji-geo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Where was this photo taken? -
Expression: 이 사진 언제 찍었어요?
Pronunciation: i sa-jin eon-je jji-geo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: When was this photo taken? -
Expression: 사진 속 인물이 누구예요?
Pronunciation: sa-jin sok in-mu-ri nu-gu-ye-yo?
Meaning: Who is the person in the photo? -
Expression: 이 사진 정말 예쁘네요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin jeong-mal ye-ppeu-ne-yo.
Meaning: This photo is really pretty. -
Expression: 사진이 좀 흐릿하게 나왔어요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin-i jom heu-rit-ha-ge na-wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The photo came out a bit blurry. -
Expression: 이 사진은 추억이 많아요.
Pronunciation: i sa-jin-eun chu-eo-gi ma-na-yo.
Meaning: This photo holds many memories. -
Expression: 사진 보니까 그때 생각나네요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin bo-ni-kka geu-ttae saeng-gang-na-ne-yo.
Meaning: Looking at the photo reminds me of that time. -
Expression: 실물이 더 나아요.
Pronunciation: sil-mu-ri deo na-a-yo.
Meaning: You look better in person. (Often said jokingly or as a compliment when a photo doesn’t capture someone well) -
Expression: 사진발 잘 받네요.
Pronunciation: sa-jin-bal jal ban-ne-yo.
Meaning: You are photogenic. / You look good in photos.
Cultural Tips
Taking Photos for Others: When asked to take a photo in Korea (사진 좀 찍어 주세요 – sa-jin jom jji-geo ju-se-yo), it’s common courtesy to take several shots from slightly different angles or zooms to ensure the person gets a good picture. People often appreciate this extra effort.
“Kimchi!” Smile: Similar to saying “Cheese!” in English-speaking countries, Koreans often say “김치!” (gim-chi!) when posing for photos to help create a smiling expression.
Photo Booth Culture (인생네컷): Self-photo booths, particularly the brand “인생네컷” (in-saeng-ne-keot – literally “four cuts of life”), are incredibly popular, especially among younger generations. Friends and couples often visit these booths to take fun, stylized photo strips as keepsakes, often decorating them with props provided.
Sharing Photos: Sharing photos promptly after taking them together is common, usually via messaging apps like KakaoTalk. If someone takes a group photo, expect them to share it with the group soon after.
Complimenting Photos: Saying “사진 잘 나왔다” (sa-jin jal na-wat-da – The photo came out well) is a common and appreciated compliment when someone shows you a picture they are in.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Two friends, Minjun (A) and Sora (B), are looking at photos from Sora’s recent trip to Jeju Island.
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Expression: A: 소라 씨, 제주도 여행 사진 좀 보여주세요!
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi, je-ju-do yeo-haeng sa-jin jom bo-yeo-ju-se-yo!
Meaning: Sora, please show me your Jeju Island travel photos! -
Expression: B: 네, 여기 있어요. 이 사진은 성산일출봉에서 찍었어요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. i sa-jin-eun seong-san-il-chul-bong-e-seo jji-geo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Yes, here they are. This photo was taken at Seongsan Ilchulbong. -
Expression: A: 와, 풍경 사진 정말 멋지네요! 사진 잘 찍으셨어요.
Pronunciation: wa, pung-gyeong sa-jin jeong-mal meot-ji-ne-yo! sa-jin jal jji-geu-syeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Wow, the landscape photo is really cool! You took a great picture. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 이 사진은 친구가 찍어줬어요. 같이 사진 찍자고 해서요.
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. i sa-jin-eun chin-gu-ga jji-geo-jwo-sseo-yo. ga-chi sa-jin jjik-ja-go hae-seo-yo.
Meaning: Thank you. My friend took this picture for me. They suggested we take a picture together. -
Expression: A: 소라 씨도 사진 잘 나왔네요! 이 사진 저한테 보내줄 수 있어요?
Pronunciation: so-ra ssi-do sa-jin jal na-wan-ne-yo! i sa-jin jeo-han-te bo-nae-jul su i-sseo-yo?
Meaning: You came out well in the photo too, Sora! Can you send this picture to me? -
Expression: B: 그럼요. 바로 보내드릴게요. 다른 사진도 볼래요?
Pronunciation: geu-reom-yo. ba-ro bo-nae-deu-ril-ge-yo. da-reun sa-jin-do bol-lae-yo?
Meaning: Of course. I’ll send it right away. Do you want to see other photos too?
Practice Tips
Now you have a good collection of phrases related to 사진 (sa-jin)! Try using them in real life~ Ask a friend 같이 사진 찍어요! (ga-chi sa-jin jji-geo-yo!) or compliment someone’s photo with 사진 잘 나왔네요! (sa-jin jal na-wan-ne-yo!). The more you practice asking for, taking, and talking about photos, the more natural these expressions will become. Keep capturing memories and practicing your Korean! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
