una obra de teatro
/una obɾa de teatɾo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, "a play" is una obra de teatro.
The phrase una obra de teatro refers to a dramatic work written to be performed by actors on a stage. You can also use the term Drama interchangeably to refer specifically to a dramatic play, or una pieza teatral to mean "a theatrical piece". While representación is related, it emphasizes the performance aspect of a production and can refer to both theater and film.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "a work of theater".
Which one should you use?
You may sometimes hear the shorter phrase una obra, which can mean "a play" depending on the context. However, una obra more broadly means "a work" (such as a work of art or literature), so adding de teatro is the best way to specify that you are talking about a dramatic play. For the performance itself, rather than the written work, you might use representación.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term función is frequently used when referring to a theatrical performance.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the noun obra is feminine, the indefinite article must be the feminine form una.
How do you pronounce it?
/una obɾa de teatɾo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, obra can refer to a play but also to a construction site or roadworks.
- The word obra is a doublet of the word ópera, meaning they both share the same Latin root opus, which refers to a 'work' or 'creation'.
- Depending on the country, referring to a play as una pieza can sound more like a musical composition than a dramatic work.
Examples in context
- Están viendo una obra de teatro.They are watching a play.This sentence is useful for describing the action of watching una obra de teatro.Tatoeba #463171 by lukaszpp, translation #463170 by lukaszpp
- Nunca ha visto una obra de teatro.He's never seen a play.This sentence is useful for expressing that someone has never seen una obra de teatro.Tatoeba #8799117 by carlosalberto, translation #8799107 by carlosalberto
- Hoy voy a ver una obra de teatro muy interesante.Today I'm going to see a very interesting play.
- Ayer disfruté de una función teatral increíble.Yesterday, I enjoyed an incredible theatrical performance.
- Los niños van a representar una obrita de teatro en el colegio.The children are going to perform a little play at school.
- Mañana iremos a ver una obra de teatro.Tomorrow we will go see a play.
Example conversation
Alejandro and María are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- Alejandro¿Quieres ir al centro hoy?Do you want to go downtown today?
- MaríaSí, me gustaría ver una obra de teatro.Yes, I would like to see a play.
- AlejandroEs una excelente idea, María.That is an excellent idea, María.
- MaríaEntonces, busquemos los boletos.Then, let's look for the tickets.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, obra, teatro, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
