1.
how something appears in a photograph; photographic quality
The way a subject looks when captured in a photograph. Refers to whether someone or something looks good or bad in pictures.
この写真は写りがいい。
This photo turned out well.
彼女は写りが悪いだけで、実物はもっときれいだ。
She just doesn't photograph well — she looks much prettier in person.
このカメラはレンズがいいから、写りが全然違う。
This camera has a good lens, so the photo quality is completely different.
Derived from the verb 写る (to be photographed). Commonly used to discuss how flattering or unflattering photos are. Very common in everyday conversation about photography and selfies.
FORMATION:
Noun form of 写る (to be photographed, to appear in a photo).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 写りがいい: to look good in photos; to photograph well
- 写りが悪い: to look bad in photos; not photogenic
- 写りを気にする: to worry about how one looks in photos
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 映り: how something looks on screen (TV, video) — different kanji for video/screen contexts
- 写真写り: specifically how one looks in photographs
USAGE NOTE:
The expression 写りがいい/わるい is one of the most common ways to talk about being photogenic or not in Japanese.