ver una película
/beɾ una pelikula/from spelling rules
To watch a movie in Spanish is to say ver una película.
This phrase is used when you want to describe the act of looking at and listening to a motion picture for entertainment.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the verb ver is often used instead of mirar when referring to watching a movie.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb ver is used in its infinitive form after other verbs like ir a (going to) or querer (to want) to express the intention of watching a movie.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying mirar una película. While mirar means 'to look at', native speakers use ver (to see) to express the act of watching a movie for entertainment.
Did you know?
- The word película actually shares its roots with the word for 'skin' or 'hide'. It comes from the Latin pellicula, which originally referred to a small piece of leather or skin.
- While English uses the same verb 'watch' for movies and sports, Spanish often differentiates the two. You ver a movie for the story, but you might mirar a specific play or move in a sports match.
- In Spanish, you use ver for movies because it implies the experience of the plot, while mirar focuses on the physical act of looking. To use mirar for a movie would sound like you are analyzing the screen or the pixels.
Examples in context
- Vamos a ver una película.Let's watch a movie.This sentence is useful for suggesting that you and others watch a movie together.Tatoeba #1357133 by marcelostockle, translation #2007725 by CK
- Vayamos a ver una película.Let's go watch a movie.This sentence is useful for suggesting a plan to go and watch a movie.Tatoeba #2173174 by hayastan, translation #2007630 by CK
- Invítala a ver una película.Invite her over to watch a movie.This sentence is useful for suggesting that someone invite a woman to watch a movie.Tatoeba #1928085 by marcelostockle, translation #1629913 by Spamster
- ¿Te gustaría ver una comedia romántica?Would you like to watch a romantic comedy?
- Vamos a ver una película de acciónLet's watch an action movie
- ¿Quieres ver una película en casa?Do you want to watch a movie at home?
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are deciding what to do on a Friday night.
- Sofía¿Quieres ver una película esta noche?Do you want to watch a movie tonight?
- MateoSí, me encantaría ver una película contigo.Yes, I would love to watch a movie with you.
- SofíaPerfecto, yo traigo las palomitas.Perfect, I'll bring the popcorn.
- Mateo¡Qué buena idea, Sofía!What a great idea, Sofía!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries película, una, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
