película
/peˈlikula/feminine
The English phrase 'film' (referring to photographic film) is translated into Spanish as película. Wiktionary also lists film and filme.
Meaning: photographic film (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| película | /peˈlikula/ | feminine |
| film | /ˈfilm/ | masculine |
| filme | /ˈfilme/ | masculine |
In Spanish, película is the standard word used for both a movie and the physical photographic strip itself. For a very specific and formal reference to an analog film reel used in older projectors, you might see the term cinta cinematográfica.
Which one should you use?
While película is the most general and widely used term, filme serves as a more formal or literary synonym. The word film is also sometimes used in formal Spanish contexts.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Película is a feminine noun and requires feminine articles such as la or una. In contrast, the forms film and filme are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
/peˈlikula/
Did you know?
- The word película is a diminutive of the Latin word for 'skin'. It literally translates to 'little skin' because the early materials used for photographic film resembled thin membranes.
- In Spanish, película can be used to describe something as thin as a layer of oil on water or a biological membrane.
Examples in context
- La película me gustó.I liked this film.This sentence uses película to express liking a film.Tatoeba #928535 by Shishir, translation #2320 by Eldad
- Me perdí la película.I missed seeing the film.This sentence uses película to describe missing a film.Tatoeba #1695604 by marcelostockle, translation #254232 by Dejo
- ¿Cuándo vio la película?When did you see the film?This sentence uses película to ask about the timing of seeing a film.Tatoeba #1553904 by marcelostockle, translation #66311 by adjusting
- Me encanta ver películas de comedia.I love watching comedy films.
- La cinta cinematográfica es un medio de reproducción en desuso.The film reel is an outdated medium.
- Hemos proyectado un film educativo en la conferencia.We screened an educational film at the conference.
- Vamos a ver unas pelis en casa este fin de semana.Let's watch some movies at home this weekend.
- ¿Qué película quieres ver?What movie do you want to watch?
- 137 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in a photography shop.
- Daniel¿Tienes película para una cámara antigua?Do you have film for an old camera?
- ElenaSí, tengo una película de color aquí.Yes, I have a color film here.
- DanielPerfecto, me llevaré esta película.Perfect, I will take this film.
- ElenaMuy bien, Daniel, aquí tienes.Very well, Daniel, here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “film” translations and entries película, film, filme, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries film, filme, película, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
