The cinema (Edexcel GCSE Spanish): Revision Notes
The cinema
Essential cinema vocabulary
Understanding cinema-related vocabulary is crucial for discussing films and cinema experiences in Spanish. This vocabulary will help you navigate conversations about movies, buy tickets, and express your preferences effectively.
When learning cinema vocabulary, focus on the most commonly used terms first. These words will appear frequently in conversations, listening exercises, and role-play scenarios.
Cinema experience vocabulary
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la entrada | ticket |
| el precio | price |
| costar | to cost |
| la aventura | adventure |
| empezar (ie) | to start |
| el principio | beginning |
| el final | ending |
| el sonido | sound |
| ganar | to win |
| el premio | prize, award |
Worked Example: Using Cinema Vocabulary
- La entrada cuesta ocho euros (The ticket costs eight euros)
- La película empieza a las siete (The film starts at seven o'clock)
- El final fue muy emocionante (The ending was very exciting)
Film types and people
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| la película | film |
| la acción | action |
| la comedia | comedy |
| el drama | drama |
| el actor | actor (masc) |
| la actriz | actor (fem) |
| el papel | role |
| famoso/a | famous |
| basarse en | to be based on |
Worked Example: Discussing Films and Actors
- Me gustaría ver una película de acción (I would like to see an action film)
- La actriz es muy famosa (The actress is very famous)
- Esta película se basa en una historia real (This film is based on a true story)
Role play skills for cinema conversations
When participating in cinema-related role plays, you'll need to ask different types of questions. The examiner will expect you to ask one question at Foundation level and two questions at Higher level.
Don't forget to ask a question! Your teacher will remind you by saying ¿Tiene una pregunta? This is a critical part of the role play assessment.
Types of questions you can ask
Location questions:
- ¿Hay una... por aquí? (Is there a... round here?)
- ¿Dónde está(n)...? (Where is/are...?)
Facilities and services:
- ¿Qué hay para los jóvenes/niños/turistas? (What is there for young people/children/tourists?)
Opening times:
- ¿A qué hora empieza/se abre/se cierra...? (What time does... start/open/shut?)
Describing things:
- ¿Cómo es/son...? (What is/are... like?)
Practice these question structures until they become automatic. Having a variety of question types ready will help you respond naturally during the role play.
Practical cinema dialogue
Here's how a typical cinema conversation might unfold. Study this example to understand the flow and key phrases:
Worked Example: Complete Cinema Dialogue
Cinema assistant: Buenos días. ¿En qué puedo ayudarle? (Good morning. How can I help you?)
Customer: Me gustaría ver una película de acción. (I would like to see an action film.)
Assistant: Hay una buena película de acción en la sala tres. ¿Para cuántas personas? (There's a good action film in screen three. For how many people?)
Customer: Quiero tres entradas, por favour. (I want three tickets, please.)
The conversation continues with time preferences, opinions about different film genres, and practical questions about facilities.
Key phrases to remember:
- Quiero ver la película a las... (I want to see the film at...)
- No me gustan nada (I don't like them at all)
- Me dan miedo (They scare me)
- ¿Dónde están los servicios? (Where are the toilets?)
Listening comprehension tips
Cinema listening exercises often test your understanding of film details. These exercises require focused attention on specific information types.
Focus Strategy for Cinema Listening
Pay attention to:
- Film types mentioned (action, comedy, drama)
- People involved (directors, stars, characters)
- Awards and recognition
- Film origins (which country, based on what)
When listening, focus on key words rather than trying to understand every single word. Look for familiar vocabulary from your cinema word bank.
Translation practice
Worked Example: Cinema Translations
Spanish to English:
- La película empieza a las ocho y media
- ¿Cuánto cuesta una entrada de adulto?
English to Spanish:
- I would like to see a comedy film
- The star is very famous in Spain
Answers:
- The film starts at half past eight
- How much does an adult ticket cost?
- Me gustaría ver una película de comedia
- La estrella es muy famosa en España
Key Points to Remember:
- Learn cinema vocabulary in themed groups (people, film types, cinema experience)
- Always ask a question in role play activities - don't forget!
- Use time expressions correctly when discussing film times
- Practice opinion phrases for expressing likes and dislikes about films
- Listen for key words in comprehension exercises rather than trying to understand everything