电影
diànyǐng
The Chinese word for movies is 电影 (diànyǐng).
电影 refers to stories told using moving images and sound that are shown in a cinema or on a screen. It is the most common and widely used word for movies in Chinese.
What does it mean word for word?
The second character 电影 (diànyǐng) literally means 'shadow' or 'image'.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting movies, use the classifier 部 (bù) instead of a general measure word.
How do you pronounce it?
diànyǐng
Did you know?
- While 电影 is the general term, Chinese has a specific word for a 'blockbuster' movie, which is 大片 (dàpiàn), literally meaning 'big piece'.
- The word 电影 (diànyǐng) literally translates to 'electric shadow'.
- While you use 部 (bù) to count movies, you use 场 (chǎng) to count the number of movie screenings or times a film is shown.
Examples in context
- 我对电影感兴趣。I am interested in movies.This sentence is useful for expressing an interest in 电影.Tatoeba #3378035 by GlossaMatik, translation #3378036 by Jesse
- 我们去看电影吧！Let’s go to the movies!This sentence is useful for suggesting going to see 电影.Tatoeba #7774577 by jiangche, translation #872968 by espamatics
- 我讨厌无声电影。I hate silent movies.This sentence is useful for expressing a dislike for silent 电影.Tatoeba #8809757 by crescat, translation #2665328 by meerkat
- 我昨天去电影院看了一部好电影。I went to the cinema yesterday to watch a good movie.
- 你喜欢看什么类型的影片？What genre of movies do you like to watch?
- 咱们一起去看片子吧！Let's go watch a movie together!
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a coffee shop, a man and a woman are discussing their weekend plans.
- 浩然 Haoran你周末想看电影吗？Nǐ zhōumò xiǎng kàn diànyǐng ma?Do you want to watch a movie this weekend?
- 雨婷 Yuting好啊，我想看那部新电影。Hǎo a, wǒ xiǎng kàn nà bù xīn diànyǐng.Sure, I want to see that new movie.
- 浩然 Haoran那我们几点去？Nà wǒmen jǐ diǎn qù?Then what time shall we go?
- 雨婷 Yuting下午三点可以吗？Xiàwǔ sān diǎn kěyǐ ma?Is three in the afternoon okay?
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
