Meaning
合影 means to take a photograph together with other people, or the resulting group photograph itself. The word literally combines '合' (together) and '影' (shadow/image), referring to capturing multiple people's images in one frame.
Usage
合影 is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts when people want to commemorate an event or gathering by taking a picture together. It's frequently used at weddings, graduations, conferences, and family reunions. Native speakers often say '我们合个影吧' (let's take a photo together) or '来张合影' (let's get a group shot).
Examples
- 01毕业典礼结束后，我们全班同学一起合影留念。, .After the graduation ceremony ended, our whole class took a group photo together as a keepsake.
- 02你能帮我们合个影吗？?Could you help us take a photo together?
Characters
Measure words
- 张一张合影
- 次合一次影
Common collocations
- 合影留念to take a group photo as a memento
- 合个影to take a quick photo together
- 集体合影group photo (of a collective)
- 全家合影family photo
Origin
The word combines 合 (together) with 影 (shadow/reflection/image), literally meaning 'combined images.' This reflects the traditional understanding of photography as capturing shadows or reflections of reality.