📸🏚️🏪🏙️

How to Say ‘I'm taking photos of old shops in the town.’ in Japanese

町の古いお店の写真を撮っています。

machi no furui o mise no shashin o totsu te i masu

[mah-chee noh foo-ROO-ee o mee-seh noh shah-sheen oh tot te ee mahs]

💬 Usage Tip: の can chain several nouns, with each one describing the next: 町 → 古いお店 → 写真. Read it from left to right as "town's old shop's photos".

Phrase Breakdown

町の古いお店の

machi no furui o mise no

of the town's old shops

町 (machi) means 'town'. の links nouns like 'of'. 古いお店 means 'old shops'.

Example

町の古いお店が好きです。

I like the town's old shops.

Words in this phrase

町

machi

[mah-chee]

town; city (small/medium)

Pronounced まち (machi). Refers to a town or neighborhood area. Common in place names too.

Example

町に駅があります。

There is a station in the town.

の

[noh]

A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.

Example

前の方が見やすいです。

The front area is easier to see from.

古い

furui

[foo-ROO-ee]

old

An i-adjective for things (not people) that are old or used.

Example

古い車です。

It's an old car.

お

[o]

polite prefix

Prefix added for politeness.

Example

お名前は？

What is your name?

店

mise

[mee-seh]

shop; restaurant

Refers to the store or restaurant.

Example

店の横に駐車場があります。

There is a parking lot next to the restaurant.

の

[noh]

A linking particle connecting nouns, like 'of' or showing description.

Example

前の方が見やすいです。

The front area is easier to see from.

写真を

shashin o

photos (as the object)

写真 (shashin) means 'photo'. を marks the object.

Example

写真を送ります。

I'll send the photos.

Words in this phrase

写真

shashin

[shah-sheen]

photograph; photo

A picture taken by camera; often used when asking about museum photography.

Example

写真を見せてください。

Please show me the photo.

を

[oh]

object marker

The particle を marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

チケットを二枚ください。

Two tickets, please.

撮っています。

totsu te i masu

am taking

An ongoing action in the ～ています form. Pause slightly on the small っ.

Example

友だちが写真を撮っています。

My friend is taking photos.

Words in this phrase

撮っ

totsu

[tot]

take (photo) / snap (stem)

From 撮る, meaning to take a photo; this stem appears in the te-form.

Example

写真を撮ってください。

Please take a photo.

て

[te]

te-form ending

Connects actions in sequence, like 'and' or 'then'.

Example

ドアが開いて、入ります。

The door opens, and then I go in.

い

[ee]

to be; ongoing state

Part of the progressive or current-state expression.

Example

空いていますかを確認します。

I will check whether they are available.

ます

masu

[mahs]

polite verb ending

A standard polite ending added to verbs, often used in customer service and formal speech.

Example

予約を確認します。

I will confirm the reservation.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered feedback on what you say out loud

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Lessons for Your Situation

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Teaching in Osaka and I wanted to connect with my students beyond the classroom. The everyday conversation made my Japanese feel natural, not textbook-y.”

Mia S., 25, English Teacher

“I hop cities every few months and this is the only app that actually prepares me for living somewhere, not just visiting. Tokyo was the real test — passed with flying colors.”

James O., 28, Remote Worker

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager