Meaning
照片 means a photograph or picture taken with a camera. It's one of the most common everyday words for referring to photos, whether printed or digital. The word combines 照 (to shine, to photograph) and 片 (thin piece, slice), literally meaning 'a photographic piece.'
Usage
This is the standard, neutral term for 'photo' used in all contexts. Native speakers use it for both physical prints and digital images. It's equally common in casual conversation ('看照片' - look at photos) and formal settings. More colloquial alternatives include 相片 (xiàng piàn) in some regions, though 照片 is more universal.
Examples
- 01我想看看你的家人照片。.I'd like to see photos of your family.
- 02这张照片是去年在北京拍的。.This photo was taken in Beijing last year.
Characters
Measure words
- 张一张照片
- 幅一幅照片
Common collocations
- 拍照片to take a photo
- 看照片to look at photos
- 照片墙photo wall
- 一张照片a photo
Origin
The word emerged in the early 20th century with the introduction of photography to China. 照 originally meant 'to illuminate' or 'to shine upon,' which was extended to mean 'to photograph' as cameras use light. 片 refers to the thin, flat nature of photographic prints.