फोटो खींचना
To take a photograph.
फोटो खींचना em 30 segundos
- Standard Hindi for 'to take a photo'.
- Uses the verb 'kheenchana' (to pull/draw).
- Transitive verb; requires 'ne' in past tense.
- Common in all social and professional contexts.
The phrase फोटो खींचना (photo kheenchana) is the standard, most idiomatic way to express the act of taking a photograph in Hindi. While a literal translation of the English 'to take a photo' might lead a learner to say 'फोटो लेना' (photo lena), which is understood, it lacks the native flavor that 'खींचना' provides. The verb खींचना primarily means 'to pull,' 'to draw,' or 'to stretch.' Historically, this usage stems from the idea of 'drawing' an image or perhaps the physical action involved in operating older camera shutters or pulling out film. In modern Hindi, it encompasses everything from professional DSLR photography to the ubiquitous act of taking a selfie.
- Literal Meaning
- To pull or draw a photograph.
- Grammatical Category
- Compound Transitive Verb (सकर्मक क्रिया).
- Usage Frequency
- Extremely high in daily conversation, social media, and journalism.
"क्या आप मेरी एक फोटो खींच सकते हैं?" (Can you take a photo of me?)
Understanding the nuance of 'खींचना' is vital for achieving fluency. It suggests a more active 'capturing' of a moment. When you use this verb, you are aligning yourself with how native speakers perceive the interaction between the photographer, the camera, and the subject. It is not merely 'receiving' an image (taking), but 'extracting' or 'drawing' it from reality. This concept mirrors the English phrase 'to draw a portrait,' where the artist pulls the likeness from the subject onto the canvas. In the digital age, even though there is no physical pulling involved, the linguistic habit remains deeply rooted in the Hindi psyche.
"शादी में फोटोग्राफर ने हज़ारों फोटो खींचीं।" (The photographer took thousands of photos at the wedding.)
Furthermore, the verb is highly versatile. It can be used for landscape photography, portraits, or candid shots. It also adapts to modern technology; for instance, 'सेल्फी खींचना' (taking a selfie) is now a standard part of the lexicon. The transitive nature of the verb means that in the past tense, the subject will be followed by the postposition 'ने' (ne), and the verb will agree with the object 'फोटो' (which is feminine in Hindi).
"उसने अपनी नई कार के साथ एक फोटो खींची।" (He took a photo with his new car.)
"प्रकृति की फोटो खींचना मेरा शौक है।" (Taking photos of nature is my hobby.)
- Synonym Note
- 'तस्वीर खींचना' (Tasveer kheenchana) is more formal and poetic than 'फोटो खींचना'.
- Antonym Note
- There is no direct opposite verb, but 'फोटो मिटाना' (to delete/erase a photo) is the functional opposite.
"क्या मैं आपकी फोटो खींच सकता हूँ?" (May I take your photo?)
Using फोटो खींचना correctly requires an understanding of Hindi verb conjugation and the 'ne' (ने) rule. Since 'खींचना' is a transitive verb, its behavior changes significantly between the present, future, and past tenses. In the present and future, the verb agrees with the subject. In the perfective (past) tense, the subject takes 'ने', and the verb agrees with the object, 'फोटो'. Crucially, 'फोटो' is treated as a feminine noun in most standard Hindi contexts, though some speakers treat it as masculine. For learners, treating it as feminine (खींची) is generally considered more correct.
1. Present Tense (Habitual/Continuous)
To say 'I take photos' or 'I am taking a photo':
- Habitual: मैं फोटो खींचता हूँ (Maim photo kheenchta hoon - Masc.) / मैं फोटो खींचती हूँ (Fem.)
- Continuous: वह फोटो खींच रहा है (He is taking a photo) / वह फोटो खींच रही है (She is taking a photo).
2. Past Tense (The 'Ne' Rule)
This is where most learners struggle. Because 'खींचना' is transitive, the past tense follows the object:
- Correct: मैंने फोटो खींची (Maine photo kheenchi) - 'I took a photo'. Here, 'kheenchi' is feminine to match 'photo'.
- Plural: हमने बहुत सारी फोटो खींचीं (Hamne bahut saari photo kheenchin) - 'We took many photos'. Note the nasalization at the end of 'kheenchin' for plural feminine.
3. Imperative (Giving Commands/Requests)
When asking someone to take a photo:
- Formal: कृपया मेरी फोटो खींचिए (Kripya meri photo kheenchiye).
- Neutral/Standard: मेरी फोटो खींचो (Meri photo kheencho).
- Intimate: मेरी फोटो खींच (Meri photo kheench).
4. Future Tense
Simple future follows the subject:
- मैं कल तुम्हारी फोटो खींचूँगा (I will take your photo tomorrow - Masc.) / खींचूँगी (Fem.).
Beyond simple grammar, consider the context of the object. You can 'खींचना' a 'तस्वीर' (tasveer - picture), a 'सेल्फी' (selfie), or even a 'नज़ारा' (nazaara - view/scene). The verb remains the same, providing a consistent way to describe capturing visual media.
You will encounter फोटो खींचना in a wide variety of social and professional settings in India. It is a ubiquitous phrase that transcends class and region. Here are the primary contexts where you are likely to hear it:
1. Tourism and Landmarks
At places like the Taj Mahal or the Ghats of Varanasi, you will constantly hear tourists asking locals or each other: "भैया, एक फोटो खींच देंगे?" (Brother, will you take a photo?). It is the standard phrase for seeking help with a camera.
2. Family Gatherings and Weddings
Indian weddings are marathons of photography. You'll hear elders commanding the youth: "सबकी साथ में फोटो खींचो!" (Take a photo of everyone together!). The professional photographer (फोटोग्राफर) will also use it: "मैडम, थोड़ा मुस्कुराइए, फोटो खींच रहा हूँ।" (Madam, please smile a bit, I am taking a photo).
3. Social Media and Youth Culture
Among younger generations, the phrase is often paired with 'Instagram' or 'Selfie'. You might hear: "यह जगह बहुत अच्छी है, यहाँ एक फोटो खींचनी तो बनती है!" (This place is great, taking a photo here is a must!).
4. News and Journalism
In news reports, journalists might say: "पुलिस ने अपराधी की फोटो खींची।" (The police took a photo of the criminal). In this formal context, it remains the standard verb, though 'तस्वीर लेना' might occasionally be used for variety.
5. Hobbies and Art
In photography clubs or workshops, enthusiasts discuss techniques: "कम रोशनी में फोटो कैसे खींचें?" (How to take photos in low light?). Here, the focus is on the technical skill of 'खींचना'.
Learners of Hindi often make predictable errors when trying to translate the concept of taking a photo. Avoiding these will make your Hindi sound much more natural and native-like.
1. Using 'लेना' (To Take)
The most common mistake is saying "फोटो लेना" (Photo lena). While literal and understandable, it sounds 'translated.' Native speakers almost always prefer "खींचना". Using 'लेना' makes you sound like a beginner or someone who is thinking in English and translating word-for-word.
2. Gender Mismatch in Past Tense
As mentioned, 'फोटो' is feminine. Many learners say "मैंने फोटो खींचा" (Maine photo kheencha - Masculine). While some regional dialects might accept this, in standard Hindi, it should be "मैंने फोटो खींची" (Maine photo kheenchi). Remember: the verb agrees with the photo, not the person taking it!
3. Forgetting the 'ने' (Ne)
In the past tense, learners often say "मैं फोटो खींची" (Main photo kheenchi). This is grammatically incorrect. Because 'खींचना' is transitive, you must use 'ने' with the subject: "मैंने फोटो खींची".
4. Confusion with 'बनाना' (To Make)
Some learners use "फोटो बनाना" (Photo banana). This actually means 'to create/edit a photo' or 'to draw a picture'. It does not mean the act of capturing a photo with a camera. Use 'खींचना' for the capture and 'बनाना' for the editing or artistic creation.
5. Misusing 'खींचना' for Videos
You cannot 'खींचना' a video. For videos, the correct verb is "बनाना" (to make) or "रिकॉर्ड करना" (to record). Saying "वीडियो खींचना" sounds very strange to a native ear.
While फोटो खींचना is the standard term, Hindi offers several synonyms and related expressions depending on the level of formality and the specific context.
1. तस्वीर खींचना (Tasveer Kheenchana)
'तस्वीर' (Tasveer) is the Urdu-origin word for picture or photo. It is slightly more formal and elegant than the English loanword 'फोटो'. You will hear this in literature, formal speeches, and older Bollywood songs. Example: "आपकी तस्वीर बहुत सुंदर खींची गई है।"
2. क्लिक करना (Click Karna)
This is a modern 'Hinglish' expression used frequently by urban youth. It refers to the sound of the shutter. Example: "एक फोटो क्लिक करो न!" (Click a photo, won't you!). It is very casual.
3. चित्र लेना (Chitra Lena)
'चित्र' (Chitra) is a Sanskrit-origin word. Using 'चित्र लेना' is very formal and somewhat archaic in the context of modern photography. It is more likely to be used in a textbook or a high-register artistic discussion. Example: "वन्यजीवों के चित्र लेना कठिन कार्य है।"
4. उतारना (Utaarna)
Sometimes, people use 'फोटो उतारना' (to bring down/copy a photo). This is common in certain regional dialects (like in parts of Bihar or UP) and implies 'capturing' the likeness onto the film/sensor. It sounds a bit more traditional.
5. कैद करना (Qaid Karna)
Literally 'to imprison' or 'to capture'. This is used metaphorically in photography to mean capturing a moment forever. Example: "उसने यादों को कैमरे में कैद कर लिया।" (He captured the memories in the camera).
How Formal Is It?
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Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
Exemplos por nível
मेरी फोटो खींचो।
Take my photo.
Imperative form (informal/neutral).
क्या मैं फोटो खींचूँ?
Should I take a photo?
First-person subjunctive for asking permission.
यहाँ फोटो खींचना मना है।
Taking photos is forbidden here.
Gerundial use of the verb.
वह फोटो खींच रहा है।
He is taking a photo.
Present continuous tense.
एक अच्छी फोटो खींचो।
Take a good photo.
Adjective 'achhi' (good) modifying 'photo'.
नमस्ते, क्या आप मेरी फोटो खींच सकते हैं?
Hello, can you take my photo?
Polite request using 'sakna' (can).
मुझे फोटो खींचना पसंद है।
I like taking photos.
Verb used as an infinitive object of 'pasand' (like).
यह मेरी फोटो है।
This is my photo.
Possessive pronoun 'meri' (my) used with 'photo'.
मैं रोज़ नई फोटो खींचता हूँ।
I take new photos every day.
Present habitual tense (Masculine).
क्या आपने मेरी फोटो खींची?
Did you take my photo?
Simple past with 'ne' and feminine agreement.
हम साथ में फोटो खींचेंगे।
We will take a photo together.
Future tense (Plural).
मेरी माँ बहुत अच्छी फोटो खींचती हैं।
My mother takes very good photos.
Respectful plural verb form for mother.
उसने अपने फोन से फोटो खींची।
He/She took a photo with his/her phone.
Instrumental case with 'se' (with/from).
चलो, एक सेल्फी खींचते हैं!
Come on, let's take a selfie!
Hortative 'chalo' with present habitual.
आपको फोटो खींचना आता है?
Do you know how to take photos?
Use of 'aana' (to come/know) for skills.
यहाँ की फोटो खींचना ज़रूरी है।
It is necessary to take a photo of this place.
Adjective 'zaroori' (necessary) with infinitive.
जब मैं पहाड़ों में था, मैंने बहुत सारी फोटो खींचीं।
When I was in the mountains, I took a lot of photos.
Past tense with plural feminine object agreement.
क्या तुम मेरी एक फोटो खींच दोगे?
Will you take a photo for me?
Compound verb 'kheench dena' indicating a favor.
मैंने कल रात चाँद की फोटो खींचने की कोशिश की।
I tried to take a photo of the moon last night.
Infinitive with 'ki koshish karna' (to try).
वह बिना पूछे किसी की फोटो नहीं खींचता।
He doesn't take anyone's photo without asking.
Negative habitual with 'bina poochhe' (without asking).
अगर तुम कहो, तो मैं तुम्हारी फोटो खींच लूँ?
If you say so, should I take your photo?
Conditional 'agar...to' with 'kheench lena'.
फोटो खींचते समय हिलना मत।
Don't move while the photo is being taken.
Adverbial participle 'kheenchte samay' (while taking).
मैंने अपनी पुरानी फोटो खींची हुई देखी।
I saw an old photo of mine that had been taken.
Perfective participle used as an adjective.
क्या आप जानते हैं कि फोटो कैसे खींची जाती है?
Do you know how a photo is taken?
Passive voice 'kheenchi jaati hai'.
फोटोग्राफर ने मॉडल की बहुत ही खूबसूरत फोटो खींची।
The photographer took a very beautiful photo of the model.
Emphatic particle 'hi' with adjective.
सूरज ढलते समय फोटो खींचना सबसे अच्छा होता है।
It is best to take photos during sunset.
Superlative 'sabse achha' with infinitive.
उसने चोरी-छिपे मेरी फोटो खींच ली।
He/She stealthily took my photo.
Adverb 'chori-chhipe' (stealthily) and compound verb 'kheench lena'.
डिजिटल कैमरे से फोटो खींचना अब बहुत आसान हो गया है।
Taking photos with digital cameras has become very easy now.
Present perfect 'ho gaya hai'.
क्या तुमने कभी किसी मशहूर हस्ती की फोटो खींची है?
Have you ever taken a photo of a famous celebrity?
Present perfect with 'kabhi' (ever).
फोटो खींचने से पहले लेंस साफ़ कर लेना चाहिए।
One should clean the lens before taking a photo.
Obligatory 'chahiye' with 'se pehle' (before).
उसने अपनी यात्रा की हर छोटी बात की फोटो खींची।
He took a photo of every small detail of his journey.
Universal quantifier 'har' (every).
फोटो खींचना सिर्फ एक क्लिक नहीं, एक कला है।
Taking a photo is not just a click, it's an art.
Contrastive 'sirf...nahin, ...hai'.
उसने उस ऐतिहासिक पल की फोटो खींचकर उसे अमर कर दिया।
By taking a photo of that historical moment, he made it immortal.
Conjunctive participle 'kheenchkar' (having taken).
बिना अनुमति के किसी की फोटो खींचना निजता का उल्लंघन है।
Taking someone's photo without permission is a violation of privacy.
Formal vocabulary like 'nijta' (privacy) and 'ullanghan' (violation).
युद्ध के दौरान फोटो खींचना एक खतरनाक काम हो सकता है।
Taking photos during a war can be a dangerous job.
Possibility 'ho sakta hai' with complex subject.
उसने अपनी आँखों से जो देखा, उसे कैमरे से खींचना नामुमकिन था।
It was impossible to capture with a camera what he saw with his eyes.
Relative-correlative 'jo...use'.
आजकल हर कोई फोटो खींचने में व्यस्त है, पल को जीने में नहीं।
Nowadays everyone is busy taking photos, not living the moment.
Contrastive structure with 'vyast' (busy).
उसने अपनी कला के ज़रिए समाज की कड़वी सच्चाई की फोटो खींची।
Through his art, he captured (took a photo of) the bitter reality of society.
Metaphorical use of 'photo kheenchana'.
ब्लैक एंड व्हाइट में फोटो खींचने का अपना ही एक अलग मज़ा है।
Taking photos in black and white has its own unique charm.
Idiomatic 'apna hi ek alag maza' (its own unique fun).
जैसे ही उसने फोटो खींची, कैमरा खराब हो गया।
As soon as he took the photo, the camera broke down.
Correlative 'jaise hi...waise hi' (implied).
फोटोग्राफी का सार केवल फोटो खींचना नहीं, बल्कि भावना को पकड़ना है।
The essence of photography is not just taking a photo, but catching the emotion.
Philosophical 'saar' (essence) and 'balki' (but rather).
उसने समय की धारा को एक फोटो खींचकर मानो स्थिर कर दिया हो।
It was as if he froze the flow of time by taking a single photo.
Subjunctive 'maano...ho' (as if).
किसी की आत्मा की फोटो खींचना किसी भी लेंस के लिए एक चुनौती है।
Capturing the soul in a photo is a challenge for any lens.
Abstract subject 'aatma ki photo' (photo of the soul).
उसने अपनी यादों की धुंधली परतों से एक पुरानी फोटो खींच निकाली।
He pulled out (metaphorically took) an old photo from the misty layers of his memories.
Metaphorical extension of 'kheench nikaalna'.
क्या एक फोटो खींचना वास्तविकता को प्रतिबिंबित करता है या उसे विकृत करता है?
Does taking a photo reflect reality or distort it?
Philosophical inquiry using 'pratibimbit' (reflect) and 'vikrit' (distort).
उसने प्रकृति के रौद्र रूप की फोटो खींचने का साहस दिखाया।
He showed the courage to take a photo of nature's fierce form.
High-register 'raudra roop' (fierce form).
फोटो खींचने की तकनीक तो सीखी जा सकती है, पर दृष्टि जन्मजात होती है।
The technique of taking photos can be learned, but vision is innate.
Passive potential 'seekhi ja sakti hai'.
उसकी खींची हुई हर फोटो एक अनकही कहानी बयां करती है।
Every photo taken by him narrates an untold story.
Participial adjective 'kheenchi hui' (taken).
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
फोटो खींचना मना है
एक फोटो हो जाए?
फोटो खींचने का शौक
फोटो खींचने वाला
फोटो खींचने की जगह
जबरदस्ती फोटो खींचना
चोरी से फोटो खींचना
साफ़ फोटो खींचना
धुंधली फोटो खींचना
यादगार फोटो खींचना
Frequentemente confundido com
Expressões idiomáticas
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Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
Using 'खींच दीजिए' is more polite than 'खींचो'.
'Snap' (स्नैप) is becoming popular among Gen Z in urban areas.
In some parts of North India, 'फोटो उतारना' is used instead of 'खींचना'.
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Missing 'ne' and incorrect gender agreement.
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While not 'wrong', it's less idiomatic than 'kheenchana'.
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The verb 'kheenchana' is only for still photos.
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'Banana' means to create or edit, not to take a picture.
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Incorrect gender agreement; 'photo' is feminine.
Dicas
Agreement
Always remember that the verb 'खींची' agrees with 'फोटो', which is feminine. Even if a man is speaking, he says 'मैंने फोटो खींची'.
Asking Favors
When asking a stranger, use the compound verb 'खींच देना' to sound more natural and polite. It implies you are asking for a small favor.
Formal Contexts
In formal writing or speeches, use 'तस्वीर खींचना' to sound more sophisticated and educated.
Aspiration
The 'kh' in 'kheenchana' is aspirated. Make sure to release a puff of air when saying it to distinguish it from 'k'.
Selfies
Don't be afraid to use English words like 'selfie' or 'click'. Hindi speakers use them all the time: 'Selfie kheenchana' is perfectly fine.
Photography Etiquette
In many religious sites in India, 'photo kheenchana' is strictly prohibited. Look for signs that say 'फोटो खींचना मना है'.
Past Plural
If you took many photos, the verb becomes 'खींचीं' (kheenchin) with a nasal sound at the end. 'मैंने बहुत सारी फोटो खींचीं'.
Metaphors
You can use 'तस्वीर खींचना' metaphorically to mean 'to describe something vividly'. It's a great way to enhance your creative writing.
Detecting 'Ne'
When listening to native speakers, the 'ne' after the subject is your cue that they are talking about a photo they *already* took.
Root Word
Remembering that 'kheenchana' means 'to pull' can help you remember other related words like 'kheencha-taani' (tussle/pulling each other).
Memorize
Origem da palavra
Contexto cultural
While generally open, it's polite to ask 'क्या मैं फोटो खींच सकता हूँ?' before taking photos of people, especially women or in religious sites.
India has one of the highest rates of selfie-taking in the world.
Photography is often the most expensive part of an Indian wedding.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"क्या आप मेरी एक फोटो खींच सकते हैं?"
"आपको फोटो खींचना पसंद है?"
"यहाँ फोटो खींचना मना है क्या?"
"आपकी खींची हुई फोटो बहुत अच्छी है।"
"क्या हम साथ में एक फोटो खींचें?"
Temas para diário
आज आपने किस चीज़ की फोटो खींची और क्यों?
क्या आपको लगता है कि फोटो खींचना यादों को सहेजने का सबसे अच्छा तरीका है?
अपने पसंदीदा फोटोग्राफ के बारे में लिखें जिसे आपने खींचा हो।
अगर आपको दुनिया की सिर्फ एक फोटो खींचनी हो, तो वह क्या होगी?
डिजिटल फोटोग्राफी के आने से फोटो खींचने का अनुभव कैसे बदल गया है?
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasIn standard Hindi, 'photo' is treated as a feminine noun. Therefore, you say 'photo kheenchi' (took a photo) or 'achhi photo' (good photo). However, in some casual dialects, it is occasionally treated as masculine, but feminine is the safer and more correct choice for learners.
Yes, you can say it and everyone will understand you. However, it sounds like a direct translation from English. To sound more like a native speaker, you should use 'photo kheenchana'.
You should say, 'Kripya, kya aap meri ek photo kheench denge?' (Please, would you take a photo of me?). Using 'denge' makes it a polite request for a favor.
'Photo' is the English loanword and is used in everyday conversation. 'Tasveer' is an Urdu-origin word that means 'picture' or 'image'. It is slightly more formal and can refer to paintings as well as photographs.
You say 'selfie kheenchana'. For example, 'Chalo, ek selfie kheenchte hain' (Let's take a selfie).
The origin is likely related to the historical act of 'drawing' a likeness or the physical mechanics of early cameras. Over time, it became the standard idiomatic verb for photography.
Yes, it is used for everything from casual phone snaps to professional studio work. A professional might also use 'shoot karna' (Hinglish), but 'photo kheenchana' remains the basic Hindi term.
Because it's a transitive verb, you use the 'ne' rule. For 'I took a photo', you say 'Maine photo kheenchi'. For 'He took a photo', you say 'Usne photo kheenchi'.
No, 'kheenchana' is specifically for still images. For videos, use 'video banana' or 'video record karna'.
You can say 'Meri photo mat kheencho' (informal) or 'Meri photo mat kheenchiye' (formal/polite).
Teste-se 179 perguntas
/ 179 correct
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Summary
Always use 'खींचना' (kheenchana) instead of 'लेना' (lena) when talking about taking photos in Hindi to sound like a native speaker. Remember that 'photo' is feminine, so say 'photo kheenchi' in the past tense.
- Standard Hindi for 'to take a photo'.
- Uses the verb 'kheenchana' (to pull/draw).
- Transitive verb; requires 'ne' in past tense.
- Common in all social and professional contexts.
Agreement
Always remember that the verb 'खींची' agrees with 'फोटो', which is feminine. Even if a man is speaking, he says 'मैंने फोटो खींची'.
Asking Favors
When asking a stranger, use the compound verb 'खींच देना' to sound more natural and polite. It implies you are asking for a small favor.
Formal Contexts
In formal writing or speeches, use 'तस्वीर खींचना' to sound more sophisticated and educated.
Aspiration
The 'kh' in 'kheenchana' is aspirated. Make sure to release a puff of air when saying it to distinguish it from 'k'.
Exemplo
उसने अपनी दोस्त की एक फोटो खींची।
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