映画
eiga[e̞ːɡa̠]
The English phrase "movies" is translated into Japanese as 映画 (eiga).
映画 is used to refer to movies or films, which are stories told through moving images shown on a screen or in a cinema. When you want to refer to the physical building of a movie theater, use 映画館.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 映画 is composed of the characters for "shadow" (影) and "image/picture" (画).
How do you pronounce it?
eiga
Did you know?
- Japanese cinema history is defined by the 時代劇 ('jidaigeki') genre, which refers to period dramas specifically set in the Edo period.
- The word 映画 is used in the term 映画化 ('eigaka'), which refers to the specific process of turning a manga or light novel into a film.
- Japanese movie posters often feature a 'catchphrase' written in large, poetic calligraphy that summarizes the mood rather than the plot.
Examples in context
- 好きな映画は何？What are your favorite movies?This sentence is useful for asking about someone's favorite movies using 映画.Tatoeba #8617324 by small_snow, translation #2150587 by dryhay
- 映画観に行くの？Are you going to the movies?This sentence is useful for asking if someone is going to the movies using 映画.Tatoeba #8838516 by bunbuku, translation #2890949 by CK
- 最近、映画見た？Have you seen any movies lately?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has seen any movies lately using 映画.Tatoeba #10089952 by small_snow, translation #243837 by CK
- 私は毎週末に映画を見るI watch movies every weekend.
- その作品は非常に感動的ですThat movie is extremely moving.
- この映画作品は国内外で高い評価を受けていますThis movie is highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally.
- 最新の映画、見る？Do you want to watch the latest movie?
- 私は古いフィルムが好きですI like old films.
- 162 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their weekend plans.
- 健太 Kenta結衣さん、映画を見に行きませんか？Yui-san, eiga o mi ni ikimasen ka?Yui, would you like to go see a movie?
- 結衣 Yuiいいですね！何を観ますか？Ii desu ne! Nani o mimasu ka?That sounds good! What shall we watch?
- 健太 Kentaアクション映画はどうですか？Akushon eiga wa dou desu ka?How about an action movie?
- 結衣 Yui健太さんの好きなアクション映画なら、ぜひ！Kenta-san no suki na akushon eiga nara, zehi!If it's an action movie you like, Kenta, I'd love to!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 映画, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
