documental
/dokumenˈtal/masculine
In Spanish, the word for documentary is documental.
The word documental is used as a noun to refer to a documentary film. It also functions as an adjective to describe something that is factual, objective or related to documents.
Meaning: documentary film (noun)
Which one should you use?
While documental is the standard noun for a documentary film, it is also the standard adjective meaning relating to documents or factual evidence.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a masculine noun, documental is used with masculine articles such as un (a) or el (the). For instance, you would say un documental.
How do you pronounce it?
/dokumenˈtal/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using documentario when you mean a documentary film. documental is the correct standard term for the noun.
Did you know?
- The word documental shares a deep linguistic ancestry with the English word 'teach', thanks to the Latin root 'docere', which means 'to teach' or 'to show'.
- In a Spanish court of law, a lawyer might describe evidence as documental to mean it consists of written records rather than witness testimony.
- While documental is the standard term for the film, the word documentario is often viewed as a 'barbarismo' or a linguistic error by purists.
Examples in context
- Ayer, vi un documental sobre la expansión del Imperio Romano.Yesterday I watched a documentary on the expansion of the Roman Empire.This sentence shows how to use documental when talking about watching a film.Tatoeba #4076911 by hayastan, translation #12221224 by Miktsoanit
- Ese documental acerca de la crisis medioambiental me hizo abrir los ojos.That documentary about the environmental crisis was a real eye-opener.This sentence illustrates using documental to describe a film about a specific topic.Tatoeba #672116 by Shishir, translation #671972 by darinmex
- Mary pasó dos años en el desierto de Namibia filmando un documental para la BBC.Mary spent two years in the Namibian desert shooting a documentary for the BBC.This sentence demonstrates the use of documental in the context of filming a production.Tatoeba #7949256 by Seael, translation #8995135 by Nylez
- Me encanta ver documentales sobre la naturaleza.I love watching documentaries about nature.
- Voy a asistir a un festival de películas documentales este fin de semana.I'm going to attend a festival of documentary films this weekend.
- Viste ese docu sobre los felinos en Netflix?Did you watch that doc about felines on Netflix?
- ¡Ese documentalito sobre los pingüinos es tan adorable!That little documentary about penguins is so adorable!
- Vi una cinta documental muy interesante en el cine.I watched a very interesting documentary film at the theater.
- El reportaje sobre la historia de la música en España fue muy completo.The documentary about the history of music in Spain was very comprehensive.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
María and Mateo are discussing what to watch on television.
- María¿Quieres ver un documental?Do you want to watch a documentary?
- MateoSí, me encantan los documentales de naturaleza.Yes, I love nature documentaries.
- MaríaHay uno muy bueno sobre los océanos.There is a very good one about the oceans.
- MateoPerfecto, pongamos ese documental ahora.Perfect, let's put that documentary on now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “documentary” translations and entries documental, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries documental, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
