cinéma
/si.ne.ma/
The English phrase "movies" can be translated into French as cinéma.
In French, cinéma is used to refer to the art of making films or the activity of going to see them. To express the activity of going to see a film in a theater, the standard phrase is aller au cinéma.
Which one should you use?
While English speakers often use "movies" to refer to the films themselves, the French cinéma more commonly refers to the industry, the art form or the physical theater. To refer to a specific individual movie rather than the activity or the industry, use un film.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term les films is used in France, Belgium and Switzerland.
How do you pronounce it?
/si.ne.ma/
Did you know?
- The French phrase le septième art or 'the seventh art' is a common way to refer to cinéma because it follows painting, sculpture, architecture, music, poetry and dance.
- France is the birthplace of the first commercial movie theater, which opened in Paris in 1895.
- The full word for cinéma is cinématographe, a term coined by the Lumière brothers to describe their invention. This name highlights the machine's ability to both capture and project moving images.
Examples in context
- Allons au cinéma !Let’s go to the movies!This sentence is useful for suggesting a trip to the movies with cinéma.Tatoeba #1210011 by Sibelius, translation #872968 by espamatics
- J'aime aller au cinéma.I like going to the movies.This sentence is useful for expressing a liking for going to the movies with cinéma.Tatoeba #135945 by Aiji, translation #26444 by CK
- J’adore aller au cinéma.I love to go to the movies.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for going to the movies with cinéma.Tatoeba #9862 by zmoo, translation #483369 by adjusting
- J'adore le cinéma français.I love French movies.
- Je vais au cinéma ce soir.I am going to the movies tonight.
- Nous allons regarder les films primés au festival.We are going to watch the award-winning movies at the festival.
- Les films français sont très appréciés dans le monde entier.French movies are highly appreciated worldwide.
- Tu veux aller au ciné ce soir?Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
- J'ai vu un super film au ciné hier soir.I saw a great movie at the cinema last night.
- J'adore le cinoche, surtout les films d'action.I love movies, especially action films.
- J'aime les longs-métrages québécois.I love Quebecois movies.
- Les longs-métrages canadiens sont souvent très créatifs.Canadian movies are often very creative.
- 107 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Manon are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- HugoTu veux aller au cinéma ce soir ?Do you want to go to the movies tonight?
- ManonOui, c'est une excellente idée.Yes, that is an excellent idea.
- HugoQuel film veux-tu voir au cinéma ?Which movie do you want to see at the cinema?
- ManonLe nouveau film d'action me tente bien.The new action movie sounds good to me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cinéma, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cinéma, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
