Say cheese!
in Spanish¡Sonríe!
/sohn-REE-eh/
This is the most direct and universally understood way to ask someone to smile for a photo. It literally means "Smile!" and works in any context, formal or informal.
Getting ready to capture a happy moment? Phrases like '¡Di whisky!' or '¡Sonríe!' are your key to getting great smiles.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¡Di whisky!
/dee WEE-skee/
This is the most common equivalent to "Say cheese!" in many Latin American countries. The 'ee' sound at the end of 'whisky' naturally pulls your mouth into a smile.
¡Di patata!
/dee pah-TAH-tah/
The classic phrase used exclusively in Spain. The repeated 'ah-tah-tah' sound pulls the lips back into a smile shape, similar to how 'cheese' works in English.
¡Digan cheese!
/DEE-gahn CHEESE/
A very common Spanglish version where the English word "cheese" is simply adopted. It's widely understood everywhere, especially among younger people or in areas with English influence.
¡Una sonrisa!
/OO-nah sohn-REE-sah/
A simple and polite request that means "A smile!". It's a slightly softer, less direct command than '¡Sonríe!'.
¡Miren al pajarito!
/MEE-rehn al pah-hah-REE-toh/
This charming phrase means "Look at the little bird!". It's a classic, slightly old-fashioned saying that references an old photography trick to get subjects' attention, especially children.
¡Foto, foto!
/FOH-toh, FOH-toh/
A simple, energetic way to get everyone ready for a picture, meaning "Photo, photo!". While not a direct command to smile, it serves the same purpose of getting everyone's attention and excitement up.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick comparison of the most common ways to ask someone to smile for a photo in Spanish.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¡Sonríe! | Neutral | Any situation, as it's a direct and clear instruction. | Never wrong, but can feel less playful than other options. |
| ¡Di patata! | Casual | Informal photos with friends and family in Spain. | Anywhere outside of Spain, as it will likely cause confusion. |
| ¡Di whisky! | Casual | Informal photos with friends and family in Latin America. | In Spain, where 'patata' is the standard. |
| ¡Digan cheese! | Casual | Informal settings anywhere, especially with younger people. | Very formal situations or with older individuals who might prefer a purely Spanish phrase. |
| ¡Miren al pajarito! | Casual | Taking photos of children or for a playful, nostalgic effect. | A serious or professional photo session. |
📈Difficulty Level
The words 'patata', 'whisky', and 'sonríe' are generally easy for English speakers to pronounce.
The main challenge is remembering to use the plural command 'digan' or 'decid' for groups instead of the singular 'di' or 'decí'.
The high rating is due to the strong regional differences. Using the correct phrase in the right country is key to sounding natural.
Key Challenges:
- Remembering which region uses which phrase ('patata' vs. 'whisky').
- Switching between singular ('di') and plural ('digan') commands.
💡Examples in Action
El fotógrafo nos dijo: "¡Acérquense todos y digan whisky!"
The photographer told us: "Everyone get closer and say whisky!"
¡Venga, una foto de la familia! Abuela, ¡di patata!
Come on, a family photo! Grandma, say patata!
Antes de tomar la foto, les pedí a los niños: "¡Miren al pajarito!".
Before taking the photo, I asked the children: "Look at the little bird!".
Un momento, por favor. Miren a la cámara y... ¡sonrían!
One moment, please. Look at the camera and... smile!
🌍Cultural Context
The 'Magic Word' Trick
Just like "cheese" in English, the phrases "di patata" and "di whisky" are chosen because the vowel sounds physically force your mouth into a smile shape. The concept is universal, but the specific 'magic word' is a fun cultural marker that changes by region.
Direct vs. Playful
There's a difference between directly asking someone to "¡Sonríe!" (Smile!) and using a playful trick like "¡di whisky!". The direct command is clear and works everywhere. The playful phrases are more common in casual, fun settings with friends and family.
The Story of the 'Little Bird'
The phrase "¡Miren al pajarito!" (Look at the little bird!) comes from the early days of photography. Photographers would use a prop, sometimes a brass bird on the camera, to capture the attention of their subjects, especially children, to keep them still for long exposures.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Error
Mistake: "Saying "Di queso" or "Digan queso"."
Correction: Use a regional equivalent like "Di patata" (Spain) or "Di whisky" (Latin America).
Using the Wrong Phrase for the Region
Mistake: "Yelling "¡Di patata!" at a group in Mexico."
Correction: Say "¡Digan whisky!" in Mexico.
Forgetting the Plural Command
Mistake: "Telling a group of people "Di whisky"."
Correction: Tell a group "Digan whisky".
💡Pro Tips
When in Doubt, Go Direct
If you can't remember the local phrase for 'say cheese', don't panic. Simply saying "¡Sonríe!" (Smile!) or "¡Una sonrisa!" (A smile!) is universally understood and works perfectly in any situation.
Match the Energy
Your tone of voice is key. These phrases are meant to capture a happy moment. Say them with a bit of energy and a smile on your own face to encourage genuine smiles from others.
Listen and Learn
The best way to learn the most natural phrase is to listen. When you're in a Spanish-speaking country, pay attention to what locals say when they take pictures. You'll quickly pick up on the most common and current expression.
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
The use of 'patata' is almost exclusive to Spain. For groups, you'll hear 'decid patata', which is the 'vosotros' command form used for informal groups, a feature unique to Spanish from Spain.
Mexico
'Whisky' is the undisputed standard here. Due to proximity to the U.S., 'cheese' is also extremely common and understood by virtually everyone, making it a safe and natural-sounding alternative.
Argentina
The most notable feature is the use of 'voseo', where the informal singular command is 'decí' instead of 'di' and 'sonreí' instead of 'sonríe'. This is a hallmark of Argentinian Spanish.
Colombia
Like much of Latin America, 'whisky' is the standard. You might hear the uniquely Colombian 'pues' added to phrases for emphasis, as in '¡Sonría pues!' (Smile, then!). The classic 'pajarito' is also still heard, especially in family settings.
💬What Comes Next?
After you've taken the photo
¿Cómo salió?
How did it come out?
¡Salió genial! Miren.
It came out great! Look.
If someone wasn't ready and wants another shot
¡Otra, otra! No estaba listo/a.
Another one, another one! I wasn't ready.
¡Claro que sí! A la de tres. Uno, dos...
Of course! On the count of three. One, two...
After they see the picture and like it
¡Qué buena foto! ¿Me la pasas?
What a great photo! Can you send it to me?
Sí, ahora mismo te la envío.
Yes, I'll send it to you right now.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the word 'patata' to its country of use, Spain, through a well-known cultural item.
This links the word to a social, happy context, which is when you'd be taking photos, and reinforces the phonetic reason for the word's use.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference from English is the specific 'magic word' used. While English speakers say 'cheese' to stretch their lips into a smile with the 'ee' sound, Spanish speakers achieve the same result with different words. In Latin America, 'whisky' provides the same 'ee' sound, while in Spain, 'patata' uses the 'ah-tah-tah' sounds to pull the lips back.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: A direct translation to 'di queso' is incorrect because the word 'queso' (keh-so) doesn't phonetically create a smile. The purpose of the phrase is the physical shape it makes your mouth, not the meaning of the word.
Use instead: Use the culturally appropriate equivalent: 'di whisky' in Latin America or 'di patata' in Spain.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to ask someone to take your picture
This is what you need to say right before you might tell someone to 'say cheese'.
What a great photo!
A natural compliment to give after someone takes a good picture of you or your group.
Tag me in the photo.
In the age of social media, this is the logical next step after taking a group photo.
Let's take a selfie.
Another very common action related to taking pictures in a social context.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Say cheese!
Question 1 of 3
You're taking a photo of your new friends in Madrid. What's the most natural thing to say?
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I use 'patata' in Mexico or 'whisky' in Spain?
Don't worry, you won't offend anyone! People will almost certainly understand what you mean from the context of you holding a camera. However, it will immediately mark you as a foreigner, and you might get a friendly correction or a confused smile.
Is '¡Sonríe!' too bossy or formal?
Not at all! '¡Sonríe!' is a neutral, direct command. Its formality depends entirely on your tone of voice. Said with a warm tone, it's perfectly friendly for any situation. It's actually the safest and most universal option if you're ever unsure.
What's the difference between 'di', 'decí', 'diga', and 'digan'?
These are all command forms of the verb 'decir' (to say). 'Di' is for one friend (tú). 'Decí' is the equivalent in countries like Argentina that use 'vos'. 'Diga' is formal for one person (usted). 'Digan' is for a group (ustedes). For photos, you'll mostly use the informal 'di/decí' or the group 'digan'.
Do people really say '¡Digan cheese!'?
Yes, absolutely. In many parts of Latin America and even among younger people in Spain, this Spanglish phrase is very common. English is influential, and 'cheese' is universally known in this context, making it a popular and easy choice.
Is it weird to use 'Miren al pajarito' with adults?
It can be, depending on the group. It's generally used for children. However, with a playful group of friends, using it can be a funny, charming, and nostalgic way to get them to smile. Just read the room before you use it.
Are there any other words used besides 'patata' or 'whisky'?
Yes, though they are less common. In some regions, you might hear other silly words. For example, in Chile, some people playfully say 'diga 'once'' (say eleven) or 'miércoles' (Wednesday). However, 'whisky' and 'patata' are by far the most widespread standards.
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