映画
eiga[e̞ːɡa̠]
The Japanese word for movie is 映画 (eiga).
映画 refers to a motion picture. While 映画 describes the film itself, you should use 映画館 when referring to the physical movie theater. If you are speaking in an artistic or creative context, you might also use the word 作品, which means a work or piece, to describe a movie.
Meaning: motion picture (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 映画 is composed of two parts: 映, meaning to project or reflect and 画, meaning a picture or drawing.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to watch a movie', you combine 映画 with the verb 見る to form 映画を見る.
How do you pronounce it?
eiga
Did you know?
- In the context of film credits, the word for 'director' is often expressed through the term 監督 (kantoku), which is also the word used for a sports coach.
- In Japanese, the word 映画 shares its characters with the word for 'glory' or 'splendor'. While the pronunciation differs, the characters imply a 'shining image'.
- Japanese cinema has a unique genre called 特撮 (tokusatsu), which refers to movies using heavy special effects. This term is so distinct that it is used as a noun to describe an entire style of filmmaking like Godzilla.
Examples in context
- 映画に行くの？You're going to a movie?This sentence shows how to ask if someone is going to a movie using 映画.Tatoeba #189331 by bunbuku, translation #26480 by timmartin
- いい映画だね。It's a good movie.This sentence uses 映画 to describe a movie as being good.Tatoeba #10614723 by small_snow, translation #5222651 by AlanF_US
- あの映画、最低！That movie stinks!This sentence uses 映画 to express that a movie stinks.Tatoeba #231211 by bunbuku, translation #68577 by CK
- 今日は友達と映画を見に行く予定です。I'm planning to go watch a movie with my friend today.
- 最新のムービーはすごく面白そうだよね。The latest movie seems really interesting, doesn't it?
- 彼女は映画の作品について詳しいんだよ。She knows a lot about movie works.
- 今日は映画館で何を観るか決めましょう。Let's decide what to watch at the cinema today.
- 352 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their weekend plans at a cafe.
- 蓮 Ren週末、新しい映画を見に行く？Shuumatsu, atarashii eiga o mi ni iku?Are you going to see a new movie this weekend?
- 美咲 Misakiうん、その映画を観る予定だよ。Un, sono eiga o miru yotei da yo.Yeah, I plan to watch that movie.
- 蓮 Ren面白そうだね！Omoshirosou da ne!That sounds interesting!
- 美咲 Misaki一緒に行く？Issho ni iku?Do you want to go together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “movie” translations and entries 映画, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
