estoy viendo una película
/estoi bjendo una pelikula/from spelling rules
To say "I am watching a movie" in Spanish, you say estoy viendo una película.
This phrase is used to state that you are currently in the process of viewing a film. While the verb ver is the most common way to express watching a movie, you may also see the verb mirar used to mean watching or looking at something.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, estoy viendo una película translates to "I am seeing a movie", using the verb ver (to see/watch).
Which one should you use?
The standard way to say this is estoy viendo una película, but you can also say estoy mirando una película to express the same idea. In casual conversation, you might replace the full word película with the abbreviation peli.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the present continuous construction, which combines the verb estar with a gerund, to express an action that is currently in progress.
Did you know?
- The word película comes from the Latin word for 'skin'. This refers to the thin strip of celluloid film used in early cinema.
- In many Spanish speaking countries, the word película can be used to describe a real life situation that is overly dramatic or exaggerated, much like saying 'this is like a movie' in English.
- While ver is used for movies, you cannot use it for people in the same way. To say 'I am looking at that person', you must use mirar because ver implies the act of seeing rather than focusing attention.
Examples in context
- Me encuentro viendo una película de suspensoI am watching a suspense movie
- Estoy viendo una película romántica en el cine con mi pareja.I am watching a romantic movie at the cinema with my partner.
- Estoy mirando una película de ciencia ficción en mi casa.I am watching a science fiction movie at my house.
- Me encuentro viendo una peli de terror en el cine.I am watching a horror movie at the cinema.
- Estoy viendo una película ahora mismo.I am watching a movie right now.
- No puedo hablar, estoy viendo una película.I cannot talk, I am watching a movie.
- ¡No me interrumpas, estoy viendo una película!Don't interrupt me, I am watching a movie!
Example conversation
Alejandro calls Sofía on the phone to invite her out.
- AlejandroHola Sofía, ¿quieres ir al cine?Hello Sofía, do you want to go to the cinema?
- SofíaNo puedo, estoy viendo una película en casa.I can't, I am watching a movie at home.
- AlejandroEstá bien, te llamaré más tarde.That's fine, I will call you later.
- SofíaGracias, Alejandro. ¡Adiós!Thanks, Alejandro. Goodbye!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries película, una, CC BY-SA 4.0.
