Photography Phrases in Chinese

So, you find yourself in China (it could happen) – and you know no photography phrases in China. Your camera batteries are all charged, your CF card empty and waiting, but none of the interesting and colorful people understand what you say. Your “Say Cheese!” is greeted with blank stares (welcome to my world).

Fear not! Below is a list of useful photography phrases in Chinese. For a translated camera gear list see: how do you say camera in Chinese?

May I take your picture? 可以讓我拍一張照片嗎?keyi rangwo pai yizhang zhaopian ma?
One more, please. 再來一張, (可以嗎?)
zailai yizhang (keyima ?)
Please be natural. / Feel free to be yourself. 要自然一點 / 不必太約束
yao ziran yidian /buyao tai jusu
Don’t need to smile / no smile necessary. 可以不用笑
keyi buyong xiao
Don’t mind me [as I take your picture]. 不必留意我
bubi liuy iwo
No peace sign, please. 请不要做V形手势. Qing buyao zuo V xing shoushi

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5 Comments Add yours

  1. Ron in L.A. says:

    That’s a pretty tame list Stevo… 🙂

    R(etc… )

    Ron in L.A.´s last blog post..The Time of the Season

  2. Josh says:

    I like it. I’ll probably be using some of this in the near future, so thanks.

    I find it so difficult to get Chinese people to pose for a picture without flashing the peace sign. It looks terrible. Thankfully most of the rural area people and minorities aren’t keen on doing this.

    Josh´s last blog post..Celebrating Corban in Xinjiang, China (Eid al-Adha)

  3. truce says:

    Yes, what is it with the peace sign anyway? Everyone West of Australia and East of India seems to be at it…

  4. Quickroute says:

    Good to know – I may be in HK in Feb

    Quickroute´s last blog post..High School Reunion – 25 Years Later

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