Photography

10 phrases · Spanish with romanization, English and audio

  1. ¿Me puede tomar una foto?

    Could you take a photo of me?

    Usage

    Used to ask a stranger to take your photo at a tourist spot

    Grammar Note

    "¿Me puede + infinitive?" is a polite request using usted. "¿Me puedes...?" is the informal tú version

  2. ¿Puedo sacar fotos aquí?

    Can I take photos here?

    Usage

    Used to ask permission before taking photos in museums, temples, or restricted areas

    Grammar Note

    Both "sacar fotos" and "tomar fotos" mean "to take photos." Usage varies by region across Spanish-speaking countries

  3. ¿Le importa si le tomo una foto?

    Do you mind if I take your photo?

    Usage

    Formal way to ask someone's permission before photographing them

    Grammar Note

    "¿Le importa si...?" is a very polite way to ask permission. "Importar" means "to matter/to mind"

  4. La luz es perfecta para fotos.

    The light is perfect for photos.

    Usage

    Used when commenting on ideal lighting conditions for photography

    Grammar Note

    "Perfecta" agrees in gender with "luz" (feminine). Spanish adjectives must agree with the gender and number of the noun

  5. ¿Puede sonreír, por favor?

    Can you smile, please?

    Usage

    Used when asking someone to smile for a photo

    Grammar Note

    "Sonreír" is irregular. Imperative forms: "Sonría" (usted/formal) or "Sonríe" (tú/informal). ¿Puede...? is polite

  6. Se me olvidó la tarjeta de memoria.

    I forgot the memory card.

    Usage

    Used to express that you accidentally forgot your memory card or other camera accessory

    Grammar Note

    "Se me olvidó" implies accidental forgetting (the thing "slipped away from me"). More natural than "Olvidé"

  7. Necesito cargar la batería de la cámara.

    I need to charge the camera battery.

    Usage

    Used when your camera battery is dead and you need to charge it

    Grammar Note

    "Necesito + infinitive" expresses necessity. "Necesitar" is a regular -ar verb meaning "to need"

  8. ¿Puede enviarme las fotos?

    Can you send me the photos?

    Usage

    Used to ask someone to send you photos they took of you

    Grammar Note

    "Me" is an indirect object pronoun attached to the infinitive (enviarme). It can also be placed before: "¿Me puede enviar las fotos?"

  9. ¿Dónde puedo revelar fotos?

    Where can I get photos developed/printed?

    Usage

    Used to ask where to find a photo printing or film development shop

    Grammar Note

    "Revelar" means "to develop" film but is also used for printing digital photos. "Imprimir fotos" is another option

  10. Esta foto salió muy bien.

    This photo came out really well.

    Usage

    Used to compliment the result of a photo or comment on how well it turned out

    Grammar Note

    "Salir bien" means "to come out well / to turn out nicely." Opposite: "salir mal" (to come out badly)

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