写 真 機(しゃしんき)

しゃしんき

noun

camera; photographic apparatus

1. camera; photographic apparatus

A device for taking photographs. An older or more formal word for camera, now largely replaced by カメラ in everyday speech.

古(ふる)い写真機(しゃしんき)を修理(しゅうり)した。

I repaired an old camera.

祖父(そふ)の写真機(しゃしんき)はまだ使(つか)える。

My grandfather's camera still works.

明治(めいじ)時代(じだい)に日本(にほん)に写真機(しゃしんき)が伝(つた)わった。

The camera was introduced to Japan in the Meiji era.

An older, more formal Japanese word for camera. While カメラ is the standard word in modern Japanese, 写真機(しゃしんき) still appears in historical, technical, or literary contexts.

Usage

Today 写真機(しゃしんき) is used mainly when:

Referring to vintage or antique cameras
Writing in a deliberately formal or historical style
Discussing the history of photography in Japan

Common collocations

写真機(しゃしんき)を構(かま)える: to hold up a camera
写真機(しゃしんき)店(てん): camera shop (dated)
小型(こがた)写真機(しゃしんき): compact camera

Similar words

カメラ: camera — the standard modern word used in everyday speech
撮影(さつえい)機材(きざい): photography equipment — broader term including lenses, tripods, etc.

Forms

写真(しゃしん) (photograph) + 機(き) (machine, device)

Related Words

Compare: カメラ (camera)

general

Added 2026.4.6 1:27 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

22000/22264_shashinki