regarder des films
To watch movies in French is regarder des films.
The phrase is used to describe the act of viewing motion pictures for entertainment. While regarder des films is the standard way to express this, you may also encounter voir des films, which means to see movies.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb regarder (to watch), the partitive article des (some/plural indefinite) and films (movies).
Which one should you use?
Use regarder des films when speaking generally about the hobby of watching movies, but use regarder un film when referring to a specific single instance of viewing.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the informal expression écouter des films may be used to mean watch movies.
Did you know?
- The word film is an English loanword that replaced the older French term pellicule in common usage. While pellicule still exists, it now refers specifically to the physical strip of celluloid film.
- The verb regarder is built from the prefix 're-' and the verb garder, which means 'to keep' or 'to guard'. Historically, to 'regarder' something meant to look back at it or to guard it with your eyes.
- In France, the term cinéma is used as a synonym for 'movies' in a way that encompasses both the building and the art form. A person might say they 'do' cinéma to describe their professional life in the film industry.
Examples in context
- Nous adorons regarder des films.We love to watch movies.This sentence is useful for expressing a love for the hobby using regarder des films.Tatoeba #9165826 by Julien_PDC, translation #9163221 by Gavbigav
- Je souhaite regarder des films français pour améliorer ma compréhension de la langue.I want to watch French movies to improve my language comprehension.
- On va mater des films ce soir chez moi, ça te dit ?We're going to watch movies at my place tonight, interested?
- Je veux regarder des films ce soir.I want to watch movies tonight.
- Est-ce que tu aimes regarder des films d'action ?Do you like watching action movies?
Example conversation
Gabriel and Emma are discussing their plans for the weekend.
- GabrielTu veux regarder des films avec moi ?Do you want to watch movies with me?
- EmmaOui, c'est une excellente idée, Gabriel.Yes, that is an excellent idea, Gabriel.
- GabrielOn peut regarder des films de science-fiction.We can watch science fiction movies.
- EmmaParfait, j'adore ça !Perfect, I love that!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries des, regarder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
