To say “to film” with a camera in Japanese depends on the nuance you want to convey, but the most common and versatile translation is 撮影する (satsuei suru), which means “to photograph” or “to film.” This verb can be used in a wide variety of contexts, from professional filmmaking to casual home videos.
Understanding the Nuances of “To Film” in Japanese
While 撮影する (satsuei suru) is the go-to phrase, Japanese, like any language, offers a spectrum of expressions that capture the act of filming with varying degrees of formality and specificity. Understanding these nuances will allow you to communicate your intentions with greater precision and cultural sensitivity. The key is to consider the context: are you referring to a professional production, a documentary, or just capturing some vacation memories?
The Core Meaning: 撮影する (satsuei suru)
撮影する (satsuei suru) combines the noun 撮影 (satsuei), meaning “photography” or “filming,” with the verb する (suru), meaning “to do.” This combination creates a verb that directly translates to “to do photography/filming.” It’s a formal yet widely understood expression, perfect for professional settings and general conversations.
Alternative Expressions: From Casual to Specific
Beyond 撮影する (satsuei suru), several other phrases can be used to express the act of filming:
- 撮る (toru): This is the most casual way to say “to take (a picture/video).” It’s suitable for informal conversations and situations where the focus is on simply capturing an image or video. For example, you might say “ちょっと撮ってもらえますか? (chotto totte moraemasu ka?)” which means “Could you take a picture/video for me quickly?”
- ビデオを撮る (bideo o toru): This literally translates to “to take a video.” It’s more specific than just 撮る (toru) and is commonly used when referring to recording video content.
- 映画を撮る (eiga o toru): This translates to “to make a movie” or “to shoot a film.” This phrase is reserved for situations involving actual movie production.
- 記録する (kiroku suru): This means “to record” or “to document.” It’s a suitable option for describing the act of filming for archival or informational purposes, such as recording a lecture or a historical event.
- 回す (mawasu): While primarily meaning “to turn” or “to rotate,” in the context of a camera, especially older film cameras, 回す (mawasu) can imply “to roll (film)” or “to film.” Think of physically winding a film reel. It’s a slightly archaic usage but still understood.
Choosing the Right Phrase for the Right Situation
The best phrase to use depends heavily on the context:
- For professional filming environments or formal discussions: 撮影する (satsuei suru) is the safest and most appropriate choice.
- For casual snapshots or home videos: 撮る (toru) or ビデオを撮る (bideo o toru) are perfectly acceptable.
- For describing documentary filmmaking or recording events: 記録する (kiroku suru) might be more fitting.
- For discussing movie production: 映画を撮る (eiga o toru) is the correct option.
Practical Examples: Using “To Film” in Japanese Sentences
To solidify your understanding, let’s look at some practical examples:
- この映画は京都で撮影されました。(Kono eiga wa Kyoto de satsuei saremashita.) This film was shot in Kyoto.
- ちょっとビデオを撮ってもらえますか？(Chotto bideo o totte moraemasu ka?) Could you take a short video for me?
- ドキュメンタリーを記録するために、カメラを使いました。(Dokyumentari o kiroku suru tame ni, kamera o tsukaimashita.) I used a camera to record the documentary.
- 明日、公園で撮影する予定です。(Asu, kouen de satsuei suru yotei desu.) We are planning to film in the park tomorrow.
- 彼は映画を撮るために、ハリウッドへ行きました。(Kare wa eiga o toru tame ni, hariuddo e ikimashita.) He went to Hollywood to make a movie.
FAQs: Diving Deeper into Filming Terminology in Japanese
Below are frequently asked questions regarding filming with a camera in the Japanese Language
1. How do I say “camera” in Japanese?
The most common word for “camera” in Japanese is カメラ (kamera), which is a direct borrowing from the English word. Another option is 写真機 (shashinki) which literally means “picture machine” but is less frequently used.
2. How do you say “film crew” in Japanese?
A “film crew” is typically referred to as 撮影クルー (satsuei kuruu) or 撮影スタッフ (satsuei sutaffu). Both utilize the word 撮影 (satsuei), meaning “filming,” combined with either the borrowed English word “crew” or “staff,” respectively.
3. What’s the Japanese word for “director” (as in, a film director)?
The Japanese word for “director” in the film context is 監督 (kantoku). This term is used for both film and theater directors.
4. How do I say “action!” (the director’s command) in Japanese?
The most common way to say “action!” in Japanese is スタート! (sutaato!) This is a direct borrowing from the English word “start.” Alternatively, some directors might use 本番! (honban!) which means “the real thing” or “official take”.
5. What is the term for “scene” in Japanese filmmaking?
The Japanese word for “scene” in a film is シーン (shiin), again borrowed directly from English.
6. How do you say “cut!” (to stop filming) in Japanese?
Similar to “action,” the most common way to say “cut!” in Japanese is カット! (katto!). This is also a borrowing from English.
7. What’s the Japanese equivalent of “location scouting”?
“Location scouting” is referred to as ロケハン (rokehan) in Japanese, which is a shortened version of “ロケーション・ハンティング (rokeeshon hantingu),” a direct borrowing from “location hunting.”
8. How do I express “to edit a film” in Japanese?
“To edit a film” is 編集する (henshuu suru) in Japanese. 編集 (henshuu) means “editing,” and する (suru) means “to do.”
9. Is there a difference between filming with a film camera versus a digital camera in Japanese?
Not really. The verb 撮影する (satsuei suru) is generally used for filming regardless of the type of camera. However, you might specify the type of camera being used, for example, フィルムカメラで撮影する (firumu kamera de satsuei suru) for “to film with a film camera” or デジタルカメラで撮影する (dejitaru kamera de satsuei suru) for “to film with a digital camera.”
10. How can I say “behind the scenes” in Japanese related to filming?
The phrase “behind the scenes” in Japanese filmmaking is typically translated as 舞台裏 (butaiura), which literally means “behind the stage.” It can also be expressed as 撮影の裏側 (satsuei no uragawa), meaning “the other side of filming.”
11. How do you say “screenplay” or “script” in Japanese?
The Japanese word for “screenplay” or “script” is 脚本 (kyakuhon).
12. What is the term for “filming permit” in Japanese?
A “filming permit” is generally called 撮影許可 (satsuei kyoka). 撮影 (satsuei) means “filming” and 許可 (kyoka) means “permission” or “permit.” You might also see ロケーション許可 (rokeeshon kyoka), “location permit” used in some cases.
By mastering these phrases and understanding the nuances of 撮影する (satsuei suru) and its alternatives, you’ll be well-equipped to discuss filming in Japanese with confidence and accuracy, whether you’re on a professional set or simply capturing memories with friends. Remember to consider the context and choose the phrase that best reflects your intended meaning.