Asking before a photo

拍照 · pāizhào. take a photograph.

A green teapot and two cups on a wooden tea tray
Etiquette拍照pāizhàotake a photograph

You want a photo of a person, a shop, or a cultural space.

What to do

Ask permission before photographing people or private spaces. Follow posted rules in museums, places of worship, and exhibition halls.

Context

A public location does not mean every person wants to be photographed. Respect a refusal and avoid interrupting a ceremony or someone's work.

Useful phrase

May I take a photo?

可以拍照吗?Kěyǐ pāizhào ma?