Translation guide
The English word "picture" covers several distinct concepts in Japanese. The most common equivalents are 写真 for photographs, 絵 for drawings/paintings, and 画像 for digital images. The right choice depends on what kind of picture you mean.
A picture taken with a camera, printed or digital.
The standard word for a photograph. Covers both printed and digital photos.
この写真、いつ撮ったの？
When did you take this picture?
旅行の写真を見せてください。
Please show me the pictures from your trip.
Refers to a digital image, often on a screen. Can be a photo, graphic, or screenshot.
この画像をクリックしてください。
Please click on this picture.
A picture created by hand or digitally, not a photograph.
General word for a drawing, painting, or illustration. Covers both physical and digital art.
子供が壁に絵を描いた。
The child drew a picture on the wall.
この絵は誰が描いたの？
Who painted this picture?
Short for illustration. Often used for digital or commercial illustrations, manga-style art, etc.
Used for diagrams, figures, or charts in textbooks or documents.
図1を参照してください。
Please refer to picture 1.
A picture shown on a TV, computer, or phone screen.
The most common word for a digital image on a screen.
画像がぼやけている。
The picture is blurry.
Refers to moving images or video, but can also mean the picture quality of a display.
A picture in your mind; an idea or memory of how something looks.
Used for a mental image, impression, or concept. Very common in Japanese.
彼のことはあまりイメージがわかない。
I can't really picture him. (lit. I can't form a mental picture of him.)
Verb meaning 'to imagine' or 'to picture'. Often used when asking someone to visualize something.
ちょっと想像してみて。
Just picture it for a moment.
A picture meaning the overall situation or state of affairs.
Means 'situation' or 'state of affairs'. Used in phrases like 'the big picture' or 'get the picture'.
全体の状況を把握する必要がある。
We need to understand the big picture.
Literally 'whole picture', used for the overall image or complete view of something.
まだ全体像が見えていない。
I still don't see the big picture.
A picture meaning a motion picture or film.
The standard word for a movie or film. 'Picture' in this sense is somewhat old-fashioned in English, but 映画 is the direct equivalent.
今夜は映画を見に行かない？
How about going to see a picture tonight?
写真 is specifically a photograph. 絵 is a hand-drawn or painted picture. 画像 is a digital image, which can be a photo or graphic. If you're talking about a photo on your phone, both 写真 and 画像 are possible, but 写真 emphasizes it's a photograph, while 画像 is more technical/neutral.
The loanword ピクチャー is rarely used in natural Japanese. It might appear in technical contexts (like 'picture-in-picture') but is not a general translation for 'picture'.
写真を撮ってもいいですか？
Can I take a picture?
彼女は猫の絵を描いた。
She drew a picture of a cat.
画面の画像が暗すぎる。
The picture on the screen is too dark.
このイラスト、かわいいね。
This picture is cute, isn't it?
このテレビは映像がきれいだ。
This TV has a beautiful picture.