How to say "movie" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 映画えいがnounThe usual word for a film in all its senses: a movie seen at the cinema or at home, and cinema as a medium or art. When in doubt, use this.
- nounA loanword from English; for a film as a work of cinema, 映画 is the word you want. ムービー tends to suggest video footage or moving images, or turns up in titles and advertising.
For films in ordinary contexts—watching one, discussing cinema, cinema as an art—choose 映画; the loanword 「ムービー」 is mostly for video footage, moving images, titles, and advertising rather than a film itself.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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