obra de teatro
/obɾa de teatɾo/from spelling rules
The English phrase "theatrical play" is obra de teatro in Spanish.
The phrase obra de teatro is used to refer to a theatrical play. In many contexts, especially when the setting is clear, native speakers will shorten obra de teatro to just obra.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of obra (work/piece), de (of) and teatro (theater).
Which one should you use?
While obra can mean any "work" (like a work of art or a literary work), adding de teatro specifies that it is a theatrical play.
How do you pronounce it?
/obɾa de teatɾo/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, if you say you are at the obra, people will think you are at a construction site rather than watching a play.
- If a Spanish speaker describes a real-life situation as una obra de teatro, they are often implying that the people involved are being fake or dramatic.
- In Spanish, you do not 'play' a play. While English uses the verb 'to play', Spanish uses representar or estrenar to describe performing or premiering an obra.
Examples in context
- Disfruté mucho de esa obra de teatroI really enjoyed that theatrical play
- Asistimos a un drama muy conmovedor anocheWe attended a very moving drama last night
- Vamos a ver una obrita de teatro este fin de semanaLet's go see a little theatrical play this weekend
- Anoche fuimos a una función de teatro muy divertidaLast night we went to a really fun theatrical play
- Me encantó el espectáculo teatral que vimos anocheI loved the theatrical play we saw last night
- Me gusta mucho esa obra de teatro.I really like that theatrical play.
- La obra de teatro es muy famosa.The theatrical play is very famous.
- Compré dos entradas para la obra de teatro.I bought two tickets for the theatrical play.
- ¿Te gusta esa obra de teatro?Do you like that theatrical play?
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- MateoSofía, ¿quieres ir a ver una obra de teatro?Sofía, do you want to go see a theatrical play?
- SofíaSí, me encanta ir al teatro.Yes, I love going to the theater.
- MateoHe visto que hay una obra de teatro nueva.I saw there is a new theatrical play.
- Sofía¡Perfecto! Vamos este sábado.Perfect! Let's go this Saturday.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
