How to Say “Take a Photo” in German – The Correct Way
- Sarah
- Aug 29
- 3 min read
At GermanMind, we believe that learning German should be clear, correct and natural – just like in our new Instagram series: Sag es richtig!
Many English learners of German translate word by word and end up saying “Ich nehme ein Foto.” It feels logical because in English we say “to take a photo.” But here’s the important truth: in German, this phrase is not correct and sounds unnatural.
So, how do you say it the right way? Let’s dive in.
How to Say “Take a Photo” in German – The Correct Way
The Correct Expression: “Ich mache ein Foto”
The natural German phrase is:
Ich mache ein Foto. = I take a photo.
Why machen?
Because in German, photos are something you “make” rather than “take.” The idea is closer to creating or producing a photo, not just taking it.
Other Natural Alternatives
Depending on the context, Germans also use other expressions:
Ich schieße ein Foto. = I shoot a photo. (informal, often used casually)
Ich fotografiere. = I photograph. (short, formal, or technical)
Ich mache ein Bild. = I take a picture. (common in spoken language)
All of these are correct. But the safest and most common phrase is always Ich mache ein Foto.
Why “Ich nehme ein Foto” Is Wrong
“nehmen” in German literally means “to take” (to grab, to pick up, to accept). You can say:
Ich nehme den Bus. = I take the bus.
Ich nehme ein Stück Kuchen. = I take a piece of cake.
But with photos, German does not use nehmen. Saying Ich nehme ein Foto is a typical learner mistake and instantly sounds non-native.
Quick Vocabulary Boost
ein Foto machen = to take a photo
ein Foto schießen = to shoot a photo
fotografieren = to photograph
ein Bild machen = to take a picture
Tip: If you’re not sure, always go with machen. It works in every context.
Example Sentences
Ich mache ein Foto von dir. = I take a photo of you.
Kannst du bitte ein Foto machen? = Can you take a photo, please?
Gestern habe ich viele Fotos gemacht. = Yesterday I took many photos.
Er schießt immer Fotos, wenn wir reisen. = He always takes photos when we travel.
Common Mistake to Avoid
❌ Ich nehme ein Foto.
✅ Ich mache ein Foto.
Remember: English and German are similar in many ways, but direct translation often creates mistakes. This is one of the most common “false friends” for beginners.
Final Tip
If you want to sound natural in German, always use machen when talking about photos.
You can also impress your German friends by sometimes saying schießen or fotografieren, but Ich mache ein Foto is the most standard and safest choice.
What’s Next?
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