<p>A minor correction, it should be xiang4 instead of xiang2.</p>

<p>When we are talking about photography, 相 typically refers specifically to a photo, while 像 usually refers to visual representations in general (be it still, like 图像, or moving, like 录像).</p>

<p>摄 translates to "capture", and therefore 摄像机 is a device that capture images (that aren't necessarily photos). On the other hand, 照相 can only refer to taking photos. So 相机 (the abbreviation of 照相机) is a device that takes photos. The choice of words here mainly describes the main function that the device is designed for.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-23T18:06:32.290Z
2019-04-23T18:06:32.290Z
Tipping Octopus
<p>Why is "xiang4" in 摄<strong>像</strong> and 照<strong>相</strong> different from each other?</p>

<p>Other similar words are:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>相片、相框、录像、影像、相机、摄像机</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The xiang in each word seems have same meaning but with different form.</p>

<p>Is that because 像 refers to the animated one and 相 refers to still images？</p>

<characters>
Why is "xiang4" in 摄像 and 照相 different from each other?
# Why is "xiang4" in 摄像 and 照相 different from each other?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-04-23)

Why is "xiang4" in 摄**像** and 照**相** different from each other?

Other similar words are:

> 相片、相框、录像、影像、相机、摄像机

The xiang in each word seems have same meaning but with different form.

Is that because 像 refers to the animated one and 相 refers to still images？

**Tags:** characters

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2019-04-23. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

A minor correction, it should be xiang4 instead of xiang2.

When we are talking about photography, 相 typically refers specifically to a photo, while 像 usually refers to visual representations in general (be it still, like 图像, or moving, like 录像).

摄 translates to "capture", and therefore 摄像机 is a device that capture images (that aren't necessarily photos). On the other hand, 照相 can only refer to taking photos. So 相机 (the abbreviation of 照相机) is a device that takes photos. The choice of words here mainly describes the main function that the device is designed for.


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