cámara
“cámara” means “camera” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
camera
Also: cam
📝 In Action
Por favor, sonríe para la cámara.
A1Please, smile for the camera.
Mi teléfono tiene una cámara muy buena.
A2My phone has a very good camera.
El director de cine gritó: '¡Cámara y acción!'
B1The film director shouted: 'Camera and action!'
chamber
Also: house, room
📝 In Action
La Cámara de Representantes votará la nueva ley mañana.
B2The House of Representatives will vote on the new law tomorrow.
El juicio se celebró en una cámara cerrada al público.
C1The trial was held in a chamber closed to the public.
La Cámara de Comercio ayuda a los negocios locales.
B1The Chamber of Commerce helps local businesses.
inner tube
Also: air chamber
📝 In Action
Se me pinchó la cámara de la bicicleta y tuve que caminar.
B1I got a flat on my bicycle's inner tube and had to walk.
Hay que cambiar la cámara del neumático trasero.
B2We have to change the inner tube of the back tire.
Vocabulary Collections
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cámara
Question 1 of 1
Your friend says, '¡Ayuda! Se pinchó la cámara de mi bici.' What does she need help with?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'camera', which meant 'vault' or 'arched room'. This itself came from the Greek 'kamára'. The modern meaning of a photo device comes from 'camera obscura', which is Latin for 'dark chamber'—an early device that projected images into a dark room.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'cámara' and 'cuarto' or 'habitación'?
'Cuarto' and 'habitación' are the everyday words for a room in a house, like a bedroom or living room. 'Cámara' is much more formal and specific. You use it for official spaces like a government 'chamber' ('Cámara de Diputados') or for technical spaces like a 'cold chamber' ('cámara frigorífica').
I heard someone in Mexico shout '¡Cámara!'. What did they mean?
That's a fun slang use! In Mexico, shouting '¡Cámara!' can be a way of saying 'Okay!', 'Deal!', 'Right on!', or 'Let's go!'. It's an informal way to agree with someone or get things moving.