What is the difference between "とる" and "撮る"?

"とる" means "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" (N5), whereas "撮る" represents "to take (a photo/video)" (N4).

Kanji Homophone Battle

Pronunciation Trap: "とる (toru)"

Same sound, completely different Kanji! Choose the right conceptual writing.

Kanji Option A

とる (toru)

N5 / CEFR

Kanji Option B

とる (toru)

N4 / CEFR

In Japanese, many words share the exact same pronunciation "とる (toru)" but are written with different Kanji, changing the meaning entirely.

とる (Level: N5): Translates to "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" and is used when A versatile verb. Common N5 meanings include 'to take a photo'.
撮る (Level: N4): Maps to "to take (a photo/video)" and carries the nuance of Used specifically for capturing images or video.

Mixing these up can easily result in unnatural writing. Look at the bilingual context cards below to master the conceptual boundaries!

Bilingual Context for "とる"

公園で写真を撮ります。

I take photos in the park.

Bilingual Context for "撮る"

公園で友達と写真を撮りました。

I took pictures with my friends in the park.

Which Kanji perfectly fits this blank space?

Which Kanji perfectly fits the blank: "公園で写真を撮ります。" (Meaning: "I take photos in the park.")

🎉 Correct Answer!

Correct! "とる" is used for "to take (a photo), to pick up, to get (a holiday)" in the context: "I take photos in the park.".