cámara
/KA-ma-ra/
camera
Cámara means 'camera,' a device used for taking photos or videos.
cámara(Noun)
camera
?A device for taking photos or videos.
cam
?Informal, especially for webcams.
📝 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!'
💡 Grammar Points
It's a 'la' word
Cámara is a feminine word, so you'll always use 'la' or 'una' with it. For example, 'la cámara' (the camera) or 'una cámara' (a camera).
⭐ Usage Tips
Taking a picture
To say you're taking a picture, you can use 'sacar una foto' or 'hacer una foto'. Both are very common and mean the same thing!
Cámara can also refer to a 'chamber' or formal room, often used for legislative bodies.
cámara(Noun)
chamber
?A formal room or legislative body.
house
?As in a house of parliament, e.g., 'House of Representatives'.
,room
?Usually for a large or official room, like in a palace.
📝 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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Cámara' vs. 'Cuarto'
Mistake: "Using 'cámara' for a regular room in a house, like a bedroom."
Correction: Use 'cuarto' or 'habitación' for everyday rooms. 'Cámara' sounds very formal or historical, like a room in a castle or a government building.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Official'
When you see 'cámara' used to mean a room, think of official groups or special-purpose spaces, like a 'Cámara de Comercio' (Chamber of Commerce) or a 'cámara frigorífica' (cold storage chamber).
In vehicle contexts, cámara refers to the 'inner tube' of a tire, the part that holds the air.
cámara(Noun)
inner tube
?The rubber tube inside a tire that holds air.
air chamber
?A space filled with air.
📝 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.
❌ Common Pitfalls
'Cámara' vs. 'Llanta'
Mistake: "Confusing 'cámara' (the inside part) with 'llanta' or 'neumático' (the outer tire)."
Correction: Remember, the 'cámara' is the balloon-like tube inside. The 'llanta' or 'neumático' is the tough rubber part on the outside that touches the road.
✏️ 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
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.