If you spend time on social media, you’ve probably seen people use the words plandid and candid when posting photos. These words sound similar, which is why many people get confused about what they really mean. Some think they are the same. Others use them the wrong way, especially in captions and comments.
This guide will make everything super easy to understand, even if you are a complete beginner or studying in grade 4. You will learn the meaning, difference, and correct usage of plandid vs candid, along with examples, simple explanations, and memory tricks.
By the end, you’ll know exactly which word to use, how to use it in daily life, and how to avoid common mistakes. Let’s make these two confusing photography words simple and fun!
What Does Each Word Mean?
What Does “Candid” Mean?
Candid is a real English word. It describes a photo taken naturally, without the person posing. The person doesn’t know the picture is being taken. The moment is real and unplanned.
Part of speech: Adjective (a describing word)
Easy meaning:
A candid photo is a picture taken naturally — no fake smile, no posing, no planning.
3 Easy Examples of “Candid”
- I took a candid photo of my friend laughing during lunch.
- She loves candid moments because they look real.
- This candid shot shows how happy the kids were.
Mini Story:
Imagine your friend is eating an ice cream and laughing. You quickly take a photo without telling them. That is a candid photo.
What Does “Plandid” Mean?
Plandid is a modern internet slang word, not a traditional dictionary word. It combines:
- Plan
- Candid
A plandid is a photo that looks natural and unplanned, but in reality, it was planned. The person poses as if the moment just happened.
Part of speech: Slang adjective/noun used in social media
Easy meaning:
A plandid photo is a picture that pretends to be candid but is secretly planned.
3 Easy Examples of “Plandid”
- She practiced her “looking away” face for the perfect plandid.
- The photo looks natural, but trust me — it’s a plandid.
- Influencers often post plandid pictures to look effortless.
Mini Story:
You tell your friend, “Take a photo when I pretend to look at the sky.” You act natural, but you are posing. That is a plandid.
The Key Difference Between Plandid and Candid
People often mix these two because the photos look similar. But their meanings are very different.
Here is a clear and simple comparison:
| Feature | Candid | Plandid |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Natural, real, unposed | Planned to look natural |
| Awareness | Person does not know | Person knows and poses |
| Real or Fake? | 100% real moment | Made to look real |
| Common Use | Photography, journalism, real-life moments | Instagram, influencers, travel posts |
| Sentence Example | “This candid picture shows her true smile.” | “This plandid looks like I wasn’t posing!” |
Quick Tip to Remember
- Candid = Real
- Plandid = Fake-but-cute
Or think of it like this:
Candid = caught naturally.
Plandid = posed naturally.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
❌ Mistake 1: Calling a posed photo “candid.”
Incorrect:
“This is my candid selfie.”
Correct:
“This is my plandid selfie.”
Why:
Selfies are almost always planned. So they are plandid, not candid.
❌ Mistake 2: Calling a random unplanned moment “plandid.”
Incorrect:
“I took a plandid of my sister running.”
Correct:
“I took a candid of my sister running.”
Why:
Your sister didn’t pose. The moment was natural.
❌ Mistake 3: Thinking both words mean “natural-looking photo.”
Fact:
- Candid = natural
- Plandid = pretending to be natural
Learning this one difference solves 90% of confusion!
When to Use “Candid”
Use candid when the photo is natural, unplanned, and the person is not posing.
You should use “candid” when:
- Someone is laughing naturally
- Kids are playing freely
- A friend is busy doing something
- A moment happens on its own
- The person doesn’t know the camera is on
Example Sentences
- I love this candid moment from our family lunch.
- The photographer captured beautiful candids at the wedding.
- This candid shot shows her true personality.
- He took a candid picture of me reading a book.
- These candid photos look more real than my posed ones.
Simple Rule:
If the moment is real, it’s candid.
When to Use “Plandid”
Use plandid when the person acts natural on purpose, trying to create a “casual” look.
You should use “plandid” when:
- You pretend to look away
- You fix your hair or clothes before the shot
- You ask someone, “Take my photo when I laugh.”
- You practice a pose that looks natural
- The photo is planned to look unplanned
Example Sentences
- She posted a cute plandid while pretending to walk.
- My travel pictures are mostly plandid shots.
- This looks natural, but it’s a total plandid.
- He set up a plandid for Instagram.
- We took a plandid while acting surprised.
Memory Hack
Plandid = PLAN + CANDID
If the photo is planned → plandid.
Quick Recap: Plandid vs Candid
- Candid:
- Natural
- Unposed
- Real moment
- Plandid:
- Planned
- Posed to look natural
- Fake-but-stylish moment
- If it just happened, use candid.
- If you planned it, use plandid.
Advanced Tips
1. Word Origin
- Candid comes from Latin “candidus,” meaning “pure” or “truthful.”
- Plandid is a modern social-media slang made by combining “plan” and “candid.”
2. Formal Writing Usage
- “Candid” is acceptable in essays and professional writing.
- “Plandid” is casual slang; avoid it in academic or office writing.
3. Usage in Social Media
Candid photos feel more real and emotional, but plandids are popular among influencers who want a stylish “effortless” look.
4. Misuse in Texting
Typing “candid” instead of “plandid” can change the meaning completely, so choose carefully.
Mini Quiz: Test Yourself!
Fill in the blanks with candid or plandid:
- She didn’t know I was taking the photo, so it’s a ____________.
- He practiced the pose to look natural — a perfect ____________.
- This ____________ shot shows her real smile.
- The influencer posted a travel ____________.
- Kids make the best ____________ pictures.
- I asked my friend to take a ____________ of me looking away.
- The photographer captured beautiful ____________ moments.
(Answers: candid, plandid, candid, plandid, candid, plandid, candid)
FAQs
1. What is the main difference between plandid and candid?
A candid photo is natural and unposed. A plandid photo is planned to look natural.
2. Is “plandid” a real English word?
It’s modern slang used on social media, not a traditional dictionary word.
3. Which one is better — plandid or candid?
Both are fine. Candid is real; plandid is stylish. It depends on your purpose.
4. Can you use “plandid” in formal writing?
No. Use it only in casual or social media contexts.
5. Are selfies candid or plandid?
Most selfies are plandid because you plan, pose, and prepare them.
Conclusion
Now you clearly understand the difference between plandid and candid. One shows real, natural moments, while the other is planned to look natural. Both are fun styles of photography — you just need to use the right word at the right time.
Keep practicing these words in your captions, school writing, and daily English. The more you use them correctly, the more confident you’ll become.
You’re already improving your English — keep going!
English novelist and poet Thomas Hardy (1840–1928) explored human struggles, social constraints, and tragic love with deep realism and vivid storytelling.
