escena
/es-SEH-nah/
scene
This illustrates an escena (scene) as a distinct part or sequence of a play or film.
escena(Noun)
scene
?in a movie, play, or book
part
?a section of a story
,sequence
?a series of events in a film
📝 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.
💡 Grammar Points
Feminine Noun
Even though 'escena' doesn't end in '-a' like many feminine nouns, it always uses feminine words like 'la' and 'una'. For example, 'la escena fue larga' (the scene was long).
⭐ Usage Tips
Piece of the Story
Think of an 'escena' as one small part of a bigger story, like a single chapter in a book or one song on an album. It's a self-contained moment within a larger work.
Here, escena refers to making a public fuss or dramatic display of emotion, often translated as 'making a scene'.
escena(Noun)
scene
?a public outburst or display of emotion
fuss
?an unnecessary commotion
,spectacle
?an embarrassing public display
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
Key Verbs: 'Hacer' and 'Montar'
This meaning is almost always paired with the verbs 'hacer' (to make/do) or 'montar' (to put on/mount). If you hear 'hacer una escena', it's about real-life drama, not a movie.
This image represents the escena (scene) as a specific social or cultural environment, like the local music scene.
escena(Noun)
scene
?a particular social or cultural environment
world
?e.g., the art world
,milieu
?the social setting
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
The 'Stage' for an Activity
Think of this as the figurative 'stage' where a certain activity happens. The 'music scene' is the world where musicians perform and create, just like actors perform on a real stage.
Escena is often used formally to mean the site or location of an incident, such as the scene of a crime.
📝 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.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Specific Phrase
This meaning is most often found in the set phrase 'la escena del crimen'. While you can talk about the 'escena' of an accident, the crime context is the most frequent.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: escena
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'escena' to talk about a dramatic public argument?
📚 More Resources
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.