film
/feelm/
movie
In Spanish, "film" refers to a movie or a cinema production.
film(noun)
movie
?cinema production
,film
?a motion picture
picture
?as in, 'going to the pictures'
📝 In Action
¿Qué film vamos a ver esta noche?
A2What movie are we going to watch tonight?
El director presentó su nuevo film en el festival.
B1The director presented his new film at the festival.
Es un film de terror muy bien hecho.
A2It's a very well-made horror movie.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Remember that 'film' is always a masculine noun, so you use 'el film' or 'un film,' even though 'película' (the common synonym) is feminine.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Gender
Mistake: "La film fue buena."
Correction: El film fue bueno. (The word is masculine, so the article 'el' and the adjective 'bueno' must match.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Use 'Película' Daily
While 'film' is perfectly correct, 'película' is the standard, everyday word for 'movie' in most Spanish-speaking regions. Use 'film' when talking about high-brow cinema, festivals, or art.
"Film" also translates to a thin layer or coating, such as plastic wrap or a protective layer.
film(noun)
film
?thin layer or coating
,celluloid
?photographic material
sheet
?thin plastic or material
📝 In Action
Puso un film protector sobre la pantalla del teléfono.
B2He put a protective film on the phone screen.
El técnico analizó el film de óxido que cubría la pieza.
C1The technician analyzed the film of oxide covering the part.
💡 Grammar Points
Technical Use
This meaning is often encountered in instructions, science, or when talking about photography equipment, referring to the actual physical material.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: film
Question 1 of 2
¿Cuál de estas oraciones usa el sinónimo más común de 'film'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'film' considered a standard Spanish word or a foreign loanword?
It is widely accepted and used, especially in formal or artistic contexts, but it is considered a direct borrowing from English. The Spanish Royal Academy (RAE) includes it, but often recommends 'película' for general use.
Why is 'film' masculine if 'película' is feminine?
Because 'film' is a foreign word adopted into Spanish. When Spanish adopts a foreign noun that doesn't clearly end in 'a' (which usually indicates feminine gender), it often defaults to masculine, hence 'el film'.