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How to Say "filming" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “filming” is “grabando” — use this when referring to the general act of recording any kind of audio or video, from a simple message to a professional movie..

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grabando

grah-BAHN-doh/ɡɾaˈban̪d̪o/

Verb (Gerund)A1General
Use this when referring to the general act of recording any kind of audio or video, from a simple message to a professional movie.
A colorful illustration showing a person recording vocals into a studio microphone, with an engineer monitoring the sound.

Examples

Estamos grabando un mensaje para mi abuela.

We are recording a message for my grandmother.

¿Estás grabando el concierto con tu celular?

Are you filming the concert with your cell phone?

La cámara de seguridad estuvo grabando toda la noche.

The security camera was recording all night.

Continuous Action

The word 'grabando' is the '-ing' form of 'grabar.' It is almost always used right after the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that an action is happening right now: 'Estoy grabando' (I am recording).

Implied Action

You can sometimes use 'grabando' alone, like an adverb, to describe how someone is doing something: 'Aprendió español viendo y grabando películas' (He learned Spanish by watching and recording movies).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy grabando.”

Correction: Estoy grabando. Remember, the continuous action form (the -ing form) always uses the temporary verb 'estar', not the permanent verb 'ser'.

filmando

/feel-MAHN-doh//filˈmando/

VerbA2General
This specifically refers to the act of recording for cinema or video production, often implying a more professional context than 'grabando'.
A person holding a professional video camera on their shoulder, pointing it toward a colorful scene.

Examples

Estamos filmando un video para YouTube.

We are filming a video for YouTube.

Ellos pasaron todo el día filmando en el parque.

They spent the whole day filming in the park.

¿Qué estás filmando con tu teléfono?

What are you filming with your phone?

The '-ing' action form

Words ending in '-ando' are like English '-ing' words. Use them with the verb 'estar' (to be) to say what is happening right this second.

Missing the helper verb

Mistake: “Yo filmando un video.”

Correction: Yo estoy filmando un video. In Spanish, you almost always need 'estar' (am/is/are) before the '-ando' word.

rodando

/ro-DAN-do//roˈðando/

VerbB1General
Use this when referring to the ongoing process of shooting a movie or TV show, emphasizing that the production is actively in progress.
A professional movie camera on a tripod pointed toward a beautiful outdoor scene.

Examples

Están rodando una escena de acción en el centro.

They are filming an action scene downtown.

Professional Jargon

In professional movie sets, 'rodar' is preferred over 'filmar'.

rodaje

/rro-DA-khe//roˈðaxe/

NounB1General
This refers to the entire period or process of making a film or show, focusing on the production as a whole rather than the moment of recording.
A professional movie camera on a tripod positioned on a film set with bright studio lights.

Examples

El rodaje de la película duró seis meses.

The filming of the movie lasted six months.

Tuvimos que detener el rodaje por la lluvia.

We had to stop shooting because of the rain.

Always Masculine

This word is always masculine ('el rodaje'), even if you are talking about a movie with a feminine name.

Verb vs. Noun for 'Filming'

The most common mistake is confusing the verb forms ('grabando', 'filmando', 'rodando') with the noun 'rodaje'. Remember that 'rodaje' refers to the entire production process, while the others describe the act of recording.

Related Translations

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