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B1 verb 8 min read

फ़ोटो खींचना

photo khinchna
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips फ़ोटो खींचना in 30 Seconds
Explanation फ़ोटो खींचना in your Level:
At the A1 level, you should focus on the simplest form of the phrase: 'फ़ोटो खींचना' (to take a photo). Think of it as a single action word. At this stage, you don't need to worry about complex grammar. Just remember that if you want someone to take a photo of you, you can say 'मेरी फ़ोटो' (my photo) followed by 'खींचो' (take/pull). You will mostly use this in the present tense: 'मैं फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ' (I am taking a photo). It is a very useful phrase when you are a tourist in India and want to capture memories or ask a stranger for help. Focus on the sound of 'khīñchnā'—the 'kh' is aspirated (like 'k' with a puff of air), and the 'n' is nasalized. Practice saying 'Photo khīñchnā' five times until it feels natural. You can also learn the word 'कैमरा' (camera), which is the same as in English, to make sentences like 'कैमरे से फ़ोटो खींचना' (taking a photo with a camera). This level is about basic survival and social interaction.
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At the A2 level, you begin to use 'फ़ोटो खींचना' in more varied social contexts. You should be able to ask questions and give simple instructions. For example, 'क्या आप मेरी फ़ोटो खींच सकते हैं?' (Can you take my photo?). You also start to use the past tense, but remember the 'ne' rule: 'मैंने फ़ोटो खींची' (I took a photo). Notice that 'खींची' ends in 'ī' because 'फ़ोटो' is feminine. You can also describe your hobbies: 'मुझे फ़ोटो खींचना पसंद है' (I like taking photos). At this stage, you should also be aware of the word 'तस्वीर' (tasvīr) as a synonym for 'photo'. You might start to notice that people use 'खींच देना' instead of just 'खींचना' to make the request sound more polite or to imply a completed favor. Practice forming sentences about your daily life, such as 'मैं हर रोज़ अपने खाने की फ़ोटो खींचता हूँ' (I take a photo of my food every day). This level builds the foundation for more complex sentence structures.
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At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'फ़ोटो खींचना' with more grammatical accuracy and in more detailed descriptions. You should understand the difference between 'खींचना' (to take the photo yourself) and 'खिंचवाना' (to have your photo taken by someone else). This is the causative form. For example, 'मैंने अपनी फ़ोटो खिंचवाई' (I got my photo taken). You can now talk about the quality of photos: 'यह फ़ोटो अच्छी नहीं खिंची' (This photo didn't come out well). You should also be comfortable using conditional sentences: 'अगर रोशनी अच्छी होती, तो मैं बेहतर फ़ोटो खींचता' (If the light were good, I would have taken a better photo). At B1, you start to use the phrase in professional or hobbyist contexts, discussing things like 'एंगल' (angle), 'बैकग्राउंड' (background), and 'एडिटिंग' (editing). You are no longer just asking for a photo; you are discussing the process and the result. You also begin to recognize the phrase in media, such as news reports or social media captions, and understand the cultural importance of 'खींचना' as capturing a moment in time.
At the B2 level, you can use 'फ़ोटो खींचना' fluently and even metaphorically. You understand the nuances of compound verbs like 'खींच लेना' (to successfully capture) or 'खींच डालना' (to take a lot of photos quickly). You can engage in debates about photography as an art form: 'क्या फ़ोटो खींचना केवल एक तकनीक है या एक कला?' (Is taking a photo just a technique or an art?). Your grammar should be near-perfect, especially with the 'ne' marker and verb agreement. You can use the phrase in the passive voice: 'यहाँ फ़ोटो खींचना मना है' (Taking photos is prohibited here). You also start to use related vocabulary like 'दृश्य' (scene), 'अभिव्यक्ति' (expression), and 'लेंस' (lens) effortlessly. At this level, you can explain the technical aspects of how you took a particular shot, using 'खींचना' as the core verb. You are also able to understand subtle differences in register, knowing when to use 'तस्वीर उतारना' for a more poetic effect in a blog post or a letter.
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At the C1 level, you have a deep appreciation for the linguistic history and cultural weight of 'फ़ोटो खींचना'. You can use it in complex, abstract discussions about memory, time, and representation. You might use it in a sentence like, 'इतिहास को फ़ोटो के माध्यम से खींचना भविष्य के लिए एक दस्तावेज़ है' (Capturing history through photos is a document for the future). You are comfortable with all causative and compound variations. You can analyze literature or films where the act of 'खींचना' is a central theme. Your vocabulary is rich enough to replace 'फ़ोटो' with 'छायाचित्र' or 'प्रतिबिंब' (reflection) depending on the desired artistic effect. You understand the sociology of 'फ़ोटो खींचना' in India—how it relates to family structures, status, and the digital revolution. You can write long-form articles or give presentations on photography where 'खींचना' is used with precision and stylistic flair. You also grasp the idiomatic uses of 'खींचना' in other contexts (like 'ध्यान खींचना' - to draw attention) and can see the conceptual link between them.
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At the C2 level, you use 'फ़ोटो खींचना' with the mastery of a native speaker, including all its regional variations and subtle emotional undertones. You can play with the language, perhaps using the word 'खींचना' in a pun or a sophisticated joke. You can discuss the evolution of the Hindi language and how loanwords like 'फ़ोटो' have been seamlessly integrated with ancient verbs like 'खींचना'. You can critique professional photography at a high level, discussing composition, lighting, and the 'decisive moment' (the moment when the photo is 'खींचा' goes). You can navigate the most formal academic environments or the most colloquial street settings with equal ease. For you, 'फ़ोटो खींचना' is not just a verb phrase; it's a tool for expression that you can manipulate to convey the finest shades of meaning. You might even explore the philosophical implications of 'खींचना' (drawing/pulling) as an act of taking something from reality and making it permanent.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

फ़ोटो खींचना in 30 Seconds

  • फ़ोटो खींचना means 'to take a photo' in Hindi.
  • It uses the verb 'खींचना' which literally means 'to pull'.
  • It is a transitive verb requiring the 'ne' particle in past tense.
  • The word 'फ़ोटो' is usually treated as feminine in Hindi grammar.

The Hindi verb phrase फ़ोटो खींचना (Photo khīñchnā) is the primary and most common way to express the action of taking a photograph. While the word 'फ़ोटो' is a direct loanword from English, the verb 'खींचना' literally means 'to pull' or 'to draw.' This linguistic combination might seem unusual to English speakers, but it mirrors the historical process of 'drawing' an image or 'pulling' a lever on old-fashioned cameras. In modern Hindi, it is used across all registers, from casual street conversations to professional photography settings. Whether you are capturing a selfie with friends, taking a landscape shot on vacation, or working as a professional photojournalist, this is the essential phrase you will use.

Literal Meaning
To pull a photo. This originates from the mechanical action of early cameras or the concept of 'drawing' light onto a surface.
Modern Usage
Standard term for 'to take a picture' or 'to photograph.' It is used for digital cameras, smartphones, and traditional film cameras alike.

क्या आप मेरी एक फ़ोटो खींच सकते हैं? (Can you take a photo of me?)

A common request made by tourists in India.

Understanding the nuance of 'खींचना' is vital. In Hindi, verbs are often paired with nouns to create specific actions. While you might occasionally hear 'फ़ोटो लेना' (to take a photo), 'खींचना' is considered more idiomatic and 'native' in its feel. It evokes the sense of capturing or grabbing a moment out of time. When using this phrase, the object (the person or thing being photographed) is usually linked with the possessive marker 'की' (kī). For example, 'ताजमहल की फ़ोटो खींचना' means 'to take a photo of the Taj Mahal.'

वह अपनी नई कार के साथ फ़ोटो खींच रहा है। (He is taking a photo with his new car.)

In the age of social media, the phrase has extended to include 'सेल्फी खींचना' (taking a selfie). Even though the technology has changed from pulling physical film to tapping a glass screen, the verb 'खींचना' remains steadfastly attached to the concept of photography in the Hindi-speaking mind. It represents the active effort of the photographer to frame and capture the subject.

Register Note
Neutral to Informal. In highly formal or poetic Hindi, one might use 'चित्रण करना' (to portray) or 'छायाचित्र लेना' (to take a photograph), but 'फ़ोटो खींचना' is the king of daily life.

To use फ़ोटो खींचना correctly, you must master the conjugation of the verb 'खींचना' across different tenses and moods. Since it is a transitive verb, it follows specific rules in the perfective (past) tense regarding the subject marker 'ने' (ne). Let's explore the various ways this verb manifests in daily speech.

1. Present Continuous: Actions happening now

When you are currently in the act of taking a picture, you use the 'रहा/रही/रहे' construction. This is very common when describing what someone is doing in a scene or on a video call.

मैं पहाड़ों की फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ। (I am taking photos of the mountains.)

2. Past Tense: The 'ने' (ne) Rule

Because 'खींचना' is transitive, when you use the simple past or present perfect, the subject takes the 'ने' particle, and the verb agrees with 'फ़ोटो' (which is feminine in Hindi). Wait—actually, 'फ़ोटो' is usually treated as feminine (e.g., अच्छी फ़ोटो), but in many dialects, it is treated as masculine. For standard learners, treating it as feminine is safest: 'खींची'.

उसने मेरी बहुत सारी फ़ोटो खींचीं। (He/She took many photos of me.)

Imperative (Requests)
To ask someone to take a photo, use: 'मेरी फ़ोटो खींचिए' (Formal) or 'मेरी फ़ोटो खींचो' (Informal).

3. Future Tense: Planning to take photos

If you are planning a trip and intend to take photos, you use the future markers '-ऊँगा/ओगे/एगा'.

हम कल शादी में ढेर सारी फ़ोटो खींचेंगे। (We will take a lot of photos at the wedding tomorrow.)

Finally, consider the use of compound verbs like 'खींच लेना' (to take/capture). Adding 'लेना' implies that the action was done for one's own benefit or successfully completed. 'मैंने उसकी फ़ोटो खींच ली' sounds more complete than just 'मैंने उसकी फ़ोटो खींची'.

In the bustling streets of India, from the narrow lanes of Old Delhi to the high-tech hubs of Bangalore, फ़ोटो खींचना is a phrase you will hear constantly. Its presence is pervasive because photography is deeply embedded in Indian social culture. Whether it is a religious festival, a family wedding, or just a group of friends hanging out at a café, the desire to 'capture the moment' is universal.

1. Tourist Landmarks

At places like the Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, or the Gateway of India, you will hear tourists asking each other or professional photographers asking them: 'सर, फ़ोटो खींचनी है?' (Sir, do you want a photo taken?). You will also hear friends debating about angles: 'यहाँ से अच्छी फ़ोटो नहीं खिंचेगी' (A good photo won't be captured from here).

भैया, एक फ़ोटो खींच दो न! (Brother, please take a photo!)

A polite, informal way to ask a stranger for help.

2. Family Events and Weddings

Indian weddings are marathon events for photographers. You will hear elders commanding the younger generation: 'सबको साथ खड़ा करो, फ़ोटो खींचनी है' (Make everyone stand together, we need to take a photo). Here, 'खींचना' becomes a collective activity that marks the importance of the event.

Social Media Slang
On Instagram or Facebook, people might comment: 'मस्त फ़ोटो खींची है!' (You've taken a great photo!). The verb is used to compliment the skill of the photographer.

3. Professional Settings

In a studio, a photographer might say: 'सीधे देखिये, मैं फ़ोटो खींचने वाला हूँ' (Look straight, I am about to take the photo). Even in professional journalism, 'फ़ोटो खींचना' is the standard way to describe the act of reporting through images.

You will also encounter this in Bollywood movies or songs, where taking a photo is often a metaphor for keeping a memory alive. The sound of the shutter is often followed by the realization of the phrase 'फ़ोटो खींच ली' (The photo has been taken).

Learning to use फ़ोटो खींचना involves avoiding several pitfalls that English speakers often fall into due to direct translation. Here are the most frequent errors and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using 'करना' (karnā) instead of 'खींचना'
Many learners say 'फ़ोटो करना' (to do photo). While 'click karna' is acceptable in Hinglish, 'photo karna' is incorrect and sounds very unnatural. Always use 'खींचना'.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the 'की' (kī) marker
In English, we say 'take a photo of John.' In Hindi, it's 'John kī photo khīñchnā.' Forgetting the 'kī' makes the sentence 'John photo khīñchnā,' which sounds like John is the one taking the photo, not the subject of it.

❌ गलत (Wrong): मैं तुम फ़ोटो खींचूँगा।
✅ सही (Right): मैं तुम्हारी फ़ोटो खींचूँगा।

Another common error is regarding the gender of the word 'फ़ोटो'. While loanwords can be tricky, 'फ़ोटो' is predominantly treated as feminine because the native Hindi word for picture, 'तस्वीर' (tasvīr), is feminine. Therefore, adjectives and verbs should reflect this. Say 'अच्छी फ़ोटो' (good photo), not 'अच्छा फ़ोटो'.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 'खींचना' (to pull/take photo) with 'खिंचवाना' (to have a photo taken). If you are the person standing in front of the camera, you are 'फ़ोटो खिंचवा रहे हैं' (getting your photo taken), not 'फ़ोटो खींच रहे हैं' (taking the photo yourself).

वह अपनी फ़ोटो खिंचवा रही है। (She is getting her photo taken.)

While फ़ोटो खींचना is the standard, Hindi offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the specific context. Understanding these will help you sound more like a native speaker and allow you to navigate different social environments.

तस्वीर लेना (Tasvīr Lenā)
'तस्वीर' is the Urdu-derived word for picture. Using 'लेना' (to take) with 'तस्वीर' is very common and sounds slightly more elegant than the English loanword 'photo'.
क्लिक करना (Click Karnā)
Pure Hinglish. Very common among the youth and in urban settings. 'एक फोटो क्लिक करो' (Click a photo) is used frequently in casual settings.
छायाचित्र लेना (Chhāyāchitra Lenā)
Very formal/Sanskritized Hindi. You might see this in government documents, photography competitions, or high-level academic texts. 'Chhāyā' means shadow/light, and 'chitra' means picture.

तुलना (Comparison):
1. फ़ोटो खींचना: Everyday, natural.
2. तस्वीर उतारना: Poetic, slightly old-fashioned.
3. शूट करना: Professional (used for video or fashion shoots).

There is also the term 'सेल्फी लेना' or 'सेल्फी खींचना'. While 'सेल्फी' is a new addition to the vocabulary, it follows the same grammatical rules. If you are using a professional camera, you might use 'शॉट लेना' (to take a shot).

Another interesting alternative is 'कैद करना' (to capture/imprison). In poetic or journalistic Hindi, you might hear 'यादों को कैमरे में कैद करना' (to capture memories in a camera). This adds a layer of emotional depth to the simple act of taking a photo.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The use of 'khīñchnā' (to pull) for taking photos likely stems from the fact that early camera shutters were operated by pulling a cord or lever, or because the process was seen as 'drawing' with light.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈfəʊ.təʊ ˈkʰiːnt͡ʃ.nɑː/
US /ˈfoʊ.toʊ ˈkʰiːnt͡ʃ.nɑː/
Primary stress on 'Pho' and 'khīñch'.
Rhymes With
सींचना (sīñchnā - to irrigate) भींचना (bhīñchnā - to squeeze) पीसना (pīsnā - to grind) खीझना (khījhnā - to be annoyed) रीझना (rījhnā - to be charmed) दीखना (dīkhnā - to be visible) चीखना (chīkhnā - to scream) लिखना (likhnā - to write)
Common Errors
  • Pronouncing 'kh' as a hard 'k' without aspiration.
  • Forgetting the nasal 'ñ' sound in 'khīñchnā'.
  • Pronouncing 'photo' with a hard 'p' instead of 'f'.
  • Treating 'khīñchnā' as two separate words without a flow.
  • Misplacing the stress on the final 'nā'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize because of the English word 'Photo'.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the 'ne' rule in past tense.

Speaking 2/5

Phrases are short and very common in daily use.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sounds make it easy to hear in a crowd.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

फ़ोटो खींचना कैमरा देखना पसंद

Learn Next

खिंचवाना तस्वीर नज़ारा यादें मुस्कुराना

Advanced

छायाचित्रण प्रतिबिंब दृष्टिकोण अभिव्यक्ति प्रदर्शनी

Grammar to Know

Transitive Verb 'ne' Rule

मैंने (Subject + ne) फ़ोटो खींची।

Causative Verbs

खिंचवाना (To cause someone to take a photo).

Feminine Gender of 'Photo'

अच्छी फ़ोटो (Good photo).

Compound Verbs with 'lenā'

फ़ोटो खींच ली (Action completed).

Oblique Infinitive before Postpositions

फ़ोटो खींचने के लिए (For taking a photo).

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Examples by Level

1

मैं फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ।

I am taking a photo.

Present continuous tense: Subject + photo + khīñch + rahā/rahī + hūñ.

2

मेरी फ़ोटो खींचो।

Take my photo.

Imperative (informal): 'kheecho' is the command form.

3

क्या आप फ़ोटो खींचेंगे?

Will you take a photo?

Future tense question.

4

यह एक अच्छी फ़ोटो है।

This is a good photo.

'Photo' is treated as feminine, so 'acchī' is used.

5

वह फ़ोटो खींचती है।

She takes photos.

Present simple tense for habits.

6

चलो, फ़ोटो खींचते हैं।

Let's take a photo.

'Chalo' + verb in present plural form for suggestions.

7

यहाँ फ़ोटो मत खींचो।

Don't take a photo here.

Negative imperative using 'mat'.

8

मेरे पास कैमरा है, मैं फ़ोटो खींचूँगा।

I have a camera, I will take a photo.

Future tense 'khīñchūñgā' for 'I will pull/take'.

1

मैंने कल बहुत सारी फ़ोटो खींचीं।

I took many photos yesterday.

Past tense with 'ne'. Verb 'khīñchīñ' agrees with 'photo' (fem. plural).

2

क्या मैं आपकी फ़ोटो खींच सकता हूँ?

Can I take your photo?

Modal verb 'saktā hūñ' for permission.

3

उसे फ़ोटो खींचना बहुत पसंद है।

He/She likes taking photos very much.

Using 'pasand honā' with the infinitive.

4

मेरी माँ मेरी फ़ोटो खींच रही थी।

My mother was taking my photo.

Past continuous tense.

5

फ़ोटो खींचने के बाद मुझे दिखाना।

Show me after taking the photo.

'Ke baad' (after) requires the oblique infinitive 'khīñchne'.

6

उसने अपनी नई कार की फ़ोटो खींची।

He took a photo of his new car.

Possessive 'kī' connects the object to 'photo'.

7

हम साथ में एक फ़ोटो खींचेंगे।

We will take a photo together.

'Saath mein' means together.

8

क्या तुमने ताजमहल की फ़ोटो खींची?

Did you take a photo of the Taj Mahal?

Past tense question with 'ne'.

1

अगर तुम कहो, तो मैं तुम्हारी फ़ोटो खींच दूँ।

If you say so, I'll take your photo (for you).

Conditional sentence with compound verb 'khīñch dūñ'.

2

वह पेशेवर तरीके से फ़ोटो खींचना सीख रहा है।

He is learning to take photos professionally.

Adverbial phrase 'peshevar tarīke se'.

3

मैंने अपनी बहन से अपनी फ़ोटो खिंचवाई।

I got my photo taken by my sister.

Causative verb 'khīñchvānā'.

4

फ़ोटो खींचते समय हिलना मत।

Don't move while the photo is being taken.

'V-te samay' means 'while doing V'.

5

उसने अंधेरे में भी अच्छी फ़ोटो खींची।

He took a good photo even in the dark.

'Bhi' adds emphasis (even).

6

मुझे पुरानी इमारतों की फ़ोटो खींचने का शौक है।

I have a hobby of taking photos of old buildings.

'X ka shauk honā' means 'to have a hobby of X'.

7

जैसे ही मैंने फ़ोटो खींची, पक्षी उड़ गया।

As soon as I took the photo, the bird flew away.

'Jaise hi... vaise hi' construction.

8

क्या आपने कभी किसी मशहूर व्यक्ति की फ़ोटो खींची है?

Have you ever taken a photo of a famous person?

Present perfect tense with 'kabhī' (ever).

1

यहाँ फ़ोटो खींचना सख्त वर्जित है।

Taking photos here is strictly prohibited.

Formal vocabulary: 'sakht varjit' (strictly prohibited).

2

उसने इस तरह फ़ोटो खींची कि पूरा नज़ारा कैद हो गया।

He took the photo in such a way that the whole view was captured.

'Is tarah... ki' (in such a way that).

3

बिना अनुमति के किसी की फ़ोटो खींचना गलत है।

It is wrong to take someone's photo without permission.

Gerundial use of the infinitive 'khīñchnā'.

4

आजकल हर कोई सेल्फी खींचने में व्यस्त रहता है।

Nowadays, everyone stays busy taking selfies.

'Vyast rahnā' (to remain busy).

5

उसने अपनी यात्रा की यादें फ़ोटो खींचकर सहेज लीं।

He preserved the memories of his trip by taking photos.

Conjunctive participle 'khīñchkar' (by taking).

6

कैमरे के लेंस को साफ करो, वरना फ़ोटो धुंधली खिंचेगी।

Clean the camera lens, otherwise the photo will be captured blurry.

Future passive sense 'khīñchegī' (will be pulled/taken).

7

वह घंटों तक सही रोशनी का इंतज़ार करता है ताकि अच्छी फ़ोटो खींच सके।

He waits for hours for the right light so that he can take a good photo.

'Tāki' (so that) with subjunctive 'sake'.

8

डिजिटल कैमरों ने फ़ोटो खींचने का तरीका ही बदल दिया है।

Digital cameras have changed the very way of taking photos.

Emphasis particle 'hi'.

1

युद्ध के दौरान फ़ोटो खींचना एक साहसी और जोखिम भरा काम है।

Taking photos during a war is a courageous and risky task.

Complex adjectives: 'sāhasī' (courageous) and 'jokhim bharā' (risky).

2

उसने अपनी कला के माध्यम से समाज की कड़वी सच्चाई की फ़ोटो खींची।

He took a photo of society's bitter truth through his art.

Metaphorical use of 'khīñchnā'.

3

एक अच्छी फ़ोटो खींचने के लिए केवल तकनीक नहीं, बल्कि नज़रिया भी चाहिए।

To take a good photo, you don't just need technique, but also a perspective.

'Na keval... balki' (not only... but also).

4

उसकी खींची हुई फ़ोटोज़ ने उसे अंतरराष्ट्रीय ख्याति दिलाई।

The photos taken by him brought him international fame.

Past participle 'khīñchī huī' used as an adjective.

5

निर्वाण की उस अवस्था को शब्दों में नहीं, बस फ़ोटो में ही खींचा जा सकता था।

That state of nirvana could not be captured in words, only in a photo.

Passive voice 'khīñchā jā saktā thā'.

6

वहाँ की संस्कृति को बारीकी से समझने के लिए उसने हज़ारों फ़ोटो खींचीं।

To understand the culture there in detail, he took thousands of photos.

Adverbial 'bārīkī se' (in detail/minutely).

7

फ़ोटो खींचना वक्त के एक लम्हे को अमर कर देने जैसा है।

Taking a photo is like making a moment of time immortal.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

8

आज की डिजिटल दुनिया में फ़ोटो खींचना एक लोकतांत्रिक प्रक्रिया बन गई है।

In today's digital world, taking photos has become a democratic process.

Sociological context and advanced vocabulary.

1

उसकी फोटोग्राफी में एक ऐसी रूहानियत है जैसे वह आत्मा की फ़ोटो खींच रहा हो।

There is such a spirituality in his photography as if he were taking a photo of the soul.

Subjunctive 'māno... rahā ho' (as if... were).

2

फ़ोटो खींचने की कला में शून्यता और पूर्णता का अद्भुत संतुलन होना चाहिए।

In the art of taking photos, there must be a wonderful balance of emptiness and fullness.

Philosophical vocabulary: 'shūnyatā' (emptiness), 'pūrṇatā' (fullness).

3

उसने जिस नज़ाकत से उस ढलते सूरज की फ़ोटो खींची, वह अविस्मरणीय है।

The delicacy with which he took that photo of the setting sun is unforgettable.

Relative-correlative 'jis... vah' construction.

4

क्या फ़ोटो खींचना वास्तविकता का प्रतिबिंब है या उसका विरूपण?

Is taking a photo a reflection of reality or its distortion?

Abstract nouns: 'pratibimb' (reflection), 'virūpaṇ' (distortion).

5

उसने अपनी तस्वीरों के ज़रिए उस लुप्त होती सभ्यता की फ़ोटो खींच ली जो अब इतिहास बन चुकी है।

Through his pictures, he captured a photo of that vanishing civilization which has now become history.

Complex relative clause and compound verb.

6

कैमरे का शटर गिरते ही वह क्षण ब्रह्मांड की स्मृति में सदा के लिए खिंच जाता है।

The moment the camera shutter falls, that instant is pulled/captured forever in the memory of the universe.

Passive 'khīñch jātā hai' with poetic intent.

7

वह केवल दृश्य की फ़ोटो नहीं खींचता, बल्कि उस पल की खामोशी को भी शब्दों में पिरो देता है।

He doesn't just take a photo of the scene, but also weaves the silence of that moment into words.

Advanced metaphorical phrasing.

8

फ़ोटो खींचने की इस होड़ ने हमें वर्तमान का आनंद लेने से वंचित कर दिया है।

This race to take photos has deprived us of enjoying the present.

Critique of modern behavior using 'vañchit karnā' (to deprive).

Synonyms

तस्वीर लेना फोटो क्लिक करना चित्र खींचना छायाचित्र लेना स्नैप लेना तस्वीर उतारना कैद करना शूट करना

Antonyms

फ़ोटो मिटाना फ़ोटो नष्ट करना अनदेखा करना छिपाना

Common Collocations

अच्छी फ़ोटो खींचना
सेल्फी खींचना
चुपके से फ़ोटो खींचना
कैमरे से फ़ोटो खींचना
मोबाइल से फ़ोटो खींचना
ग्रुप फ़ोटो खींचना
शादी की फ़ोटो खींचना
धुंधली फ़ोटो खींचना
मुस्कुराते हुए फ़ोटो खींचना
लगातार फ़ोटो खींचना

Common Phrases

एक फ़ोटो खींच दो

— A polite request to take a photo.

भैया, हमारी एक फ़ोटो खींच दो।

फ़ोटो खींचना मना है

— Photography is prohibited.

इस मंदिर में फ़ोटो खींचना मना है।

जबरदस्ती फ़ोटो खींचना

— Taking a photo against someone's will.

किसी की जबरदस्ती फ़ोटो खींचना गलत है।

फ़ोटो खींचने का शौक

— A passion for photography.

बचपन से ही मुझे फ़ोटो खींचने का शौक है।

फ़ोटो खींचने का तरीका

— The method or style of taking photos.

उसका फ़ोटो खींचने का तरीका अलग है।

फ़ोटो खींचने वाली मशीन

— A casual/childish way to say camera.

यह फ़ोटो खींचने वाली मशीन बहुत महंगी है।

फ़ोटो खींचने के लिए रुकना

— Stopping specifically to take a photo.

हम रास्ते में फ़ोटो खींचने के लिए रुके।

फ़ोटो खींचने का मौका

— An opportunity to take a photo.

मुझे बाघ की फ़ोटो खींचने का मौका मिला।

फ़ोटो खींचने की अनुमति

— Permission to take photos.

क्या मुझे यहाँ फ़ोटो खींचने की अनुमति है?

फ़ोटो खींचने में माहिर

— Expert at taking photos.

वह पोर्ट्रेट फ़ोटो खींचने में माहिर है।

Often Confused With

फ़ोटो खींचना vs फ़ोटो लेना

Similar, but 'खींचना' is more idiomatic in Hindi.

फ़ोटो खींचना vs चित्र बनाना

This means to draw or paint a picture, not take a photo.

फ़ोटो खींचना vs खींचना (general)

The verb alone means 'to pull', like pulling a rope.

Idioms & Expressions

"तस्वीर खींच देना"

— To describe something so vividly it's like a picture.

उसने अपनी बातों से गाँव की तस्वीर खींच दी।

Literary
"यादों को कैद करना"

— To preserve memories through photos.

फ़ोटो खींचकर हम अपनी यादों को कैद कर लेते हैं।

Poetic
"नज़र में तस्वीर खींचना"

— To memorize someone's face perfectly.

मैंने उसकी तस्वीर अपनी नज़रों में खींच ली है।

Romantic
"एक ही फ्रेम में आना"

— To be associated or seen together.

दोनों नेता पहली बार एक ही फ्रेम में आए।

Journalistic
"फ्रेम में जड़ना"

— To make something permanent or immortal.

उस पल को उसने अपनी यादों के फ्रेम में जड़ लिया।

Literary
"चेहरा उतर जाना"

— To look sad (often noticed in a photo).

फ़ोटो में उसका चेहरा उतरा हुआ लग रहा है।

Colloquial
"रंग भर देना"

— To make a photo/scene lively.

उसकी मुस्कान ने फ़ोटो में रंग भर दिए।

Common
"नज़रें खींचना"

— To draw attention (related to the verb root).

उस सुंदर फ़ोटो ने सबका ध्यान खींचा।

Neutral
"पल को थाम लेना"

— To stop time (metaphor for photography).

फ़ोटो खींचना जैसे उस पल को थाम लेना है।

Poetic
"साये की तरह रहना"

— To be always together (like a person and their photo).

वह हमेशा उसकी फ़ोटो के साये की तरह रहता है।

Emotional

Easily Confused

फ़ोटो खींचना vs खींचना vs खिंचवाना

Both look similar.

Khīñchnā is taking the photo; Khīñchvānā is having someone else take your photo.

मैं फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ (I am taking) vs मैं फ़ोटो खिंचवा रहा हूँ (I am being photographed).

फ़ोटो खींचना vs फ़ोटो vs तस्वीर

Both mean picture.

Photo is English loanword; Tasvīr is Urdu origin. Photo is more casual.

यह मेरी फ़ोटो है vs यह मेरी तस्वीर है।

फ़ोटो खींचना vs खींचना vs उतारना

Both used with pictures.

Khīñchnā is for cameras; Utārnā is more poetic or for sketching.

फ़ोटो खींचना vs तस्वीर उतारना।

फ़ोटो खींचना vs खींचना vs पकड़ना

Both involve hands.

Khīñchnā is pull; Pakaṛnā is catch/hold.

फ़ोटो खींचना vs कैमरा पकड़ना (hold the camera).

फ़ोटो खींचना vs खींचना vs भरना

Both used in technical contexts.

Khīñchnā is take; Bharnā is fill (like filling colors).

फ़ोटो खींचना vs रंग भरना।

Sentence Patterns

A1

मैं [Object] की फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ।

मैं फूल की फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ।

A2

क्या आप [Object] की फ़ोटो खींच सकते हैं?

क्या आप मेरी फ़ोटो खींच सकते हैं?

B1

मुझे [Object] की फ़ोटो खींचना पसंद है।

मुझे प्रकृति की फ़ोटो खींचना पसंद है।

B2

[Object] की फ़ोटो खींचना मना है।

यहाँ फ़ोटो खींचना मना है।

C1

उसने [Manner] से फ़ोटो खींची।

उसने बहुत ही खूबसूरती से फ़ोटो खींची।

C2

फ़ोटो खींचना [Metaphor] जैसा है।

फ़ोटो खींचना यादों को अमर करने जैसा है।

A2

मैंने [Object] की फ़ोटो खींची।

मैंने कल अपनी फ़ोटो खींची।

B1

फ़ोटो खींचते समय [Instruction]!

फ़ोटो खींचते समय मुस्कुराओ!

Word Family

Nouns

फ़ोटोग्राफ़र (Photographer)
फ़ोटोग्राफी (Photography)
खींच (Pull/Tension)

Verbs

खींचना (To pull/take photo)
खिंचवाना (To have a photo taken)
खिंचना (To be pulled/taken)

Adjectives

खींचा हुआ (Pulled/Taken)
फ़ोटोजेनिक (Photogenic)

Related

कैमरा
लेंस
तस्वीर
चित्र
रील
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How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes
  • मैं फ़ोटो कर रहा हूँ। → मैं फ़ोटो खींच रहा हूँ।

    You cannot 'do' a photo in Hindi; you must 'pull/take' it.

  • मैंने फ़ोटो खींचा। → मैंने फ़ोटो खींची।

    'Photo' is feminine, so the past tense verb must end in 'ī'.

  • तुम फ़ोटो खींचो। → तुम्हारी फ़ोटो खींचो। (or) मेरी फ़ोटो खींचो।

    You need a possessive marker to show whose photo is being taken.

  • वह फ़ोटो खींच रहा है। (when he is posing) → वह फ़ोटो खिंचवा रहा है।

    Use the causative form if the person is the subject of the photo, not the photographer.

  • फ़ोटो खींचना के लिए → फ़ोटो खींचने के लिए

    The infinitive changes to 'ne' before postpositions like 'ke liye'.

Tips

Agreement

Remember that the verb agrees with 'photo' in the past tense. Since 'photo' is feminine, use 'khīñchī'.

Politeness

When asking someone to take a photo, add 'ek' (one) like 'ek photo khīñch do' to make it sound like a small, easy favor.

Synonyms

Switch between 'photo' and 'tasvīr' to vary your vocabulary and sound more advanced.

Aspiration

The 'kh' in khīñchnā is aspirated. Imagine blowing out a candle while saying 'k'.

Group Photos

In India, people love group photos. Use 'sab saath mein' (everyone together) when organizing one.

Causative

Use 'khīñchvānā' if you are the one posing for the photo. It shows you are having it done.

Literal Meaning

Think of 'pulling' the image out of the camera to remember the verb 'khīñchnā'.

Smartphones

Even with smartphones, 'khīñchnā' is used. It's not just for old cameras.

Museums

Look for signs saying 'फ़ोटो खींचना मना है' in museums or temples.

Metaphors

Use 'yaadon ko qaid karna' (capturing memories) in birthday cards or social media captions.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine you are 'pulling' (khīñchnā) the light from the air and putting it into your 'photo' frame.

Visual Association

Picture a classic old camera with a string you have to pull to make the shutter click.

Word Web

Camera Lens Smile Memory Shutter Flash Click Album

Challenge

Try to ask three different people today to take your photo using 'मेरी फ़ोटो खींच दीजिये'.

Word Origin

A hybrid phrase consisting of 'Photo' (English) and 'khīñchnā' (Hindi). 'Khīñchnā' comes from the Prakrit 'khichchai', which is related to the Sanskrit 'kṛṣ' (to draw or drag).

Original meaning: The act of drawing or pulling an image.

Indo-European (Hindi part) and Indo-European/Greek (Photo part).

Cultural Context

Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in religious sites or of women in conservative areas.

In English, we 'take' or 'snap' a photo. In Hindi, the 'pulling' aspect is unique.

The song 'Khaike Paan Banaras Wala' mentions capturing moments. Bollywood movie 'Photograph' (2019) revolves around a street photographer. The phrase 'Smile please!' is almost always said before 'खींचना'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At a tourist spot

  • यहाँ से अच्छी फ़ोटो आएगी।
  • क्या आप हमारी एक फ़ोटो खींच देंगे?
  • एक और फ़ोटो खींचो!
  • लाइट कम है।

With friends

  • सेल्फी खींचते हैं!
  • मेरी फ़ोटो खराब खींची है।
  • इसे इंस्टाग्राम पर डालेंगे।
  • सब मुस्कुराओ!

Professional Studio

  • पासपोर्ट साइज़ फ़ोटो खींचनी है।
  • सीधे बैठिये।
  • आँखें खुली रखिये।
  • फ़ोटो कल मिलेगी।

Family Gathering

  • पूरी फैमिली की फ़ोटो खींचो।
  • दादी के साथ फ़ोटो खिंचवाओ।
  • कैमरा कहाँ है?
  • अच्छी यादें हैं।

Nature/Hobby

  • मैं पक्षियों की फ़ोटो खींचता हूँ।
  • सूर्यास्त की फ़ोटो बहुत सुंदर है।
  • नया लेंस खरीदा है।
  • वाइल्डलाइफ फोटोग्राफी।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको फ़ोटो खींचना पसंद है?"

"आपका पसंदीदा कैमरा कौन सा है?"

"क्या मैं इस इमारत की फ़ोटो खींच सकता हूँ?"

"आपने सबसे अच्छी फ़ोटो कहाँ खींची थी?"

"क्या आप मेरी एक फ़ोटो खींचने में मदद करेंगे?"

Journal Prompts

आज आपने किस चीज़ की फ़ोटो खींची और क्यों?

फ़ोटो खींचना आपके लिए क्यों महत्वपूर्ण है?

एक ऐसी फ़ोटो के बारे में लिखें जो आपने खींची और आपको बहुत पसंद है।

क्या आपको लगता है कि फ़ोटो खींचने से हम पल का आनंद कम लेते हैं?

अगर आपको दुनिया की सिर्फ एक फ़ोटो खींचनी हो, तो वह क्या होगी?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

In standard Hindi, 'Photo' is feminine (e.g., अच्छी फ़ोटो). However, in some regions, people may treat it as masculine. For learners, feminine is the correct standard.

Yes, 'Photo Lena' is understood and used, but 'Photo Khīñchnā' is much more common and sounds more like a native speaker.

You can say: 'भैया/बहनजी, क्या आप मेरी एक फ़ोटो खींच देंगे?' (Brother/Sister, will you take a photo of me?)

For 'I took a photo,' say 'मैंने फ़ोटो खींची' (Maine photo khīñchī). For multiple photos, say 'मैंने फ़ोटो खींचीं' (Maine photo khīñchīñ).

Yes, 'सेल्फी खींचना' is very common, although 'सेल्फी लेना' is also used.

It literally means 'to pull' or 'to draw.' It's like 'drawing' an image with a camera.

You can say 'फ़ोटो मत खींचो' (informal) or 'फ़ोटो मत खींचिए' (formal).

Yes, 'Photo click karna' is very common Hinglish, especially among young people in cities.

A photographer is called 'फ़ोटोग्राफ़र' (loanword) or 'छायाकार' (formal Hindi).

No, for videos we use 'वीडियो बनाना' (Video banānā) or 'शूट करना' (Shoot karnā).

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