escena
“escena” means “scene” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
scene
Also: part, sequence
📝 In Action
Mi escena favorita es cuando los protagonistas se conocen.
A2My favorite scene is when the main characters meet.
El director decidió cortar la última escena de la película.
B1The director decided to cut the last scene of the movie.
scene
Also: fuss, spectacle
📝 In Action
Por favor, no hagas una escena aquí en el restaurante.
B1Please, don't make a scene here in the restaurant.
Mi hermano pequeño montó una escena en el supermercado porque quería un dulce.
B1My little brother made a scene in the supermarket because he wanted a candy.
scene
Also: world, milieu
📝 In Action
La escena musical de Madrid en los años 80 fue increíble.
B2The Madrid music scene in the 80s was incredible.
Es una figura importante en la escena política internacional.
C1He is an important figure on the international political scene.
scene
Also: location, site
📝 In Action
La policía llegó a la escena del crimen para investigar.
B1The police arrived at the crime scene to investigate.
Los paramédicos fueron los primeros en llegar a la escena del accidente.
B2The paramedics were the first to arrive at the scene of the accident.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: escena
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'escena' to talk about a dramatic public argument?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word 'scaena', which itself is from the Greek 'skēnḗ'. Originally, 'skēnḗ' meant 'tent' or 'hut,' and it referred to the building behind the stage in ancient Greek theaters where actors would change.
First recorded: 15th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'escena' and 'escenario'?
Great question! Think of it this way: 'escena' is what happens *on* the stage (a scene in a play), while 'escenario' *is* the stage itself (the physical place). 'Escenario' can also mean 'scenario' or 'setting' more broadly, like 'un escenario político complicado' (a complicated political scenario).
How do I know if 'escena' means a movie scene or a real-life argument?
It's all about the other words in the sentence! If you see verbs like 'ver' (to see), 'filmar' (to film), or words like 'película' (movie) or 'libro' (book), it's a story scene. If you see verbs like 'hacer' (to make) or 'montar' (to put on), it's almost always about a real-life dramatic argument.