照 (zhào) — to take a photo / to shine

照 (zhào)

照 is a versatile verb with several core meanings centered on light and reflection. It means to take a photograph, to shine light on something, to reflect, and in compounds to look after. 照片 (photograph) comes from this character.

Meanings

1. [verb] To take a photo; to photograph.
2. [verb] To shine on; to illuminate.
3. [verb] To reflect (in a mirror).
4. [verb] To follow or accord with (in compounds like 按照, 照常).

Example Sentences

我们在长城照了很多相。 Wǒmen zài Chángchéng zhào le hěn duō xiàng. We took many photos at the Great Wall.

阳光照在水面上，非常美丽。 Yángguāng zhào zài shuǐmiàn shàng, fēicháng měilì. The sunlight shines on the water surface, which is very beautiful.

她对着镜子照了照。 Tā duìzhe jìngzi zhào le zhào. She looked at herself in the mirror.

这张照片拍得真好看。 Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn pāi de zhēn hǎokàn. This photograph turned out really beautiful.

Collocations

Memory Hook

照 has 火 (fire) at the bottom and a sun-like top. Light shines downward, illuminating everything below, like the sun burning and casting its rays on the world. Shining light captures images, which is how photos work.