사진을 보다

You use 사진을 as the object of the sentence. Then you add the verb 보다. For a casual vibe with friends, say 사진 봐. To be polite to elders, use 사진을 봐요. If you are currently in the act, use 사진을 보고 있어요. It is simple, direct, and very flexible. You can add adverbs like 같이 to mean 'look together'. Or use 잠깐 to mean 'look for a second'. It fits into almost any sentence structure easily.

Use it when showing a friend a funny meme. Use it when scrolling through your travel memories. Use it when your mom shows you embarrassing baby pictures. It works perfectly for digital and physical photos. It is great for social media contexts too. If you are checking a friend's new post, this is it. It is also used in professional settings. For example, showing a designer a reference image. It is a versatile tool for your vocabulary.

Don't use it to mean 'taking' a photo. That is 사진을 찍다, and it's a common mistake. Don't use it for watching movies or TV shows. Those use 영화를 보다 or 드라마를 보다. Also, avoid it if you are 'staring' creepily at someone's profile. That would require a more specific, intense verb. It is for looking, not for creating or filming. If you are 'developing' film, use 현상하다. Keep it strictly for the act of viewing images.

Korea is famous for its vibrant 'Selca' (selfie) culture. People take photos of almost every meal they eat. Sharing these photos is a major social ritual. Looking at someone's photos shows you are interested. It is a great way to start a conversation. In Korea, 'looking at photos' often leads to 'eating together'. It is the bridge between digital life and real life. Everyone from kids to grandmas does this daily. It is a core part of modern Korean social etiquette.

You might hear 사진 구경하다 very often. This means 'to browse' or 'look around' photos. It feels a bit more casual and fun. It implies you are enjoying the view. You can also say 사진첩을 보다. This specifically means looking at a photo album. If you are 'checking' a photo for details, use 확인하다. For 'showing' someone a photo, use 사진을 보여주다. Each variation adds a tiny bit of extra flavor.