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A1 noun #700 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

Filme

Top 700

At the A1 level, the word 'filme' is one of the first nouns you will learn. It is a simple, concrete concept. You should focus on identifying it as a masculine noun ('o filme') and using it with basic verbs like 'ver' (to see) or 'gostar' (to like). At this stage, you are learning to express basic preferences, such as 'Eu gosto de filmes de ação' (I like action movies). You should also learn the plural form 'filmes'. The goal is to be able to understand the word when someone suggests an activity and to be able to name your favorite movie using simple sentence structures. You don't need to worry about complex prepositions yet; focus on the core meaning and gender agreement. Remember that in Portuguese, we say 'ver um filme' or 'assistir a um filme' to mean 'watch a movie'. The word is very similar to English, which makes it easy to remember, but be careful with the pronunciation of the 'e' at the end, which is often silent or sounds like a very soft 'i' depending on the region. Practice saying 'O filme é bom' (The movie is good) to get used to the masculine agreement.

At the A2 level, you begin to expand your use of 'filme' by adding descriptive adjectives and using it in different tenses. You should be able to describe a movie using words like 'engraçado' (funny), 'triste' (sad), or 'interessante' (interesting). You will also start using the past tense to talk about movies you have already seen: 'Ontem eu vi um filme muito legal' (Yesterday I saw a very cool movie). At this level, you should also become familiar with the word 'cinema' as the place where you go to see a 'filme'. You might start to use basic conjunctions to link ideas, such as 'Eu gosto desse filme porque é emocionante' (I like this movie because it is emotional). You should also be able to ask simple questions about movies, like 'Qual é o gênero do filme?' (What is the genre of the movie?). Understanding the difference between 'filme' and 'série' becomes more important as you discuss your entertainment habits. You are building the foundation to have short conversations about your tastes in cinema.

At the B1 level, you are expected to handle more complex sentence structures and a wider range of vocabulary related to 'filme'. You should be able to discuss the plot (enredo) and the characters (personagens) in a basic way. You will start using the conditional and subjunctive moods to express opinions or hypothetical situations: 'Se eu tivesse dinheiro, veria todos os filmes no cinema' (If I had money, I would see all the movies at the cinema). You should also be comfortable with the formal use of the verb 'assistir' followed by the preposition 'a' (assistir ao filme). At this stage, you can begin to talk about the 'diretor' (director) or the 'atores' (actors). You might also start to use the word 'filme' in more abstract ways, such as in common expressions. Your ability to compare two movies using comparative structures ('Este filme é melhor que o outro') should be well-developed. You can now follow a basic movie review or a short news clip about a film release.

At the B2 level, you can engage in detailed discussions about 'filme' as an art form. You should be able to critique a movie's technical aspects, such as the 'fotografia' (cinematography), 'trilha sonora' (soundtrack), and 'montagem' (editing). You can express nuanced opinions and debate with others about the quality of a 'filme'. You should be familiar with industry terms like 'longa-metragem' and 'curta-metragem'. At this level, you can understand and use idiomatic expressions involving 'filme', such as 'estar com o filme queimado' (to have a bad reputation). You can read longer articles about cinema and understand the cultural context behind certain Brazilian or Portuguese films. You should be able to summarize a complex plot and discuss the themes and messages of a movie. Your use of prepositions and gender agreement should be almost always correct, even in fast-paced conversation. You are now a competent participant in social and semi-professional discussions about the world of cinema.

At the C1 level, your understanding of 'filme' reaches a professional or academic depth. You can analyze a 'filme' within its historical and social context, discussing movements like 'Cinema Novo' or 'Neorealismo'. You use sophisticated vocabulary to describe the 'estética' (aesthetics) and 'narrativa' (narrative) of a work. You are comfortable using the term 'película' in appropriate contexts. You can follow complex debates about film theory and industry economics. At this level, you can write detailed reviews or essays about cinema, using a wide range of connectors and advanced grammatical structures. You understand the subtle differences in how 'filme' is used across different Lusophone countries and can adapt your register accordingly. You can identify and explain the use of metaphors and symbolism within a 'filme'. Your comprehension of native-speed dialogue in movies, including slang and regional accents, is very high. You are effectively fluent in the language of cinema.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over the word 'filme' and all its connotations. You can discuss the most obscure technical details of film production and theory with ease. You understand the etymological roots and the evolution of the word within the Portuguese language. You can appreciate and analyze the most complex wordplay and cultural references in any 'filme'. Your ability to express yourself is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker, whether you are writing a scholarly article on cinematography or engaging in a passionate debate at a film festival. You can use 'filme' in highly creative or poetic ways. You are fully aware of the socio-political impact of cinema in the Portuguese-speaking world and can articulate these connections profoundly. For you, a 'filme' is not just a movie; it is a complex semiotic object that you can deconstruct and reconstruct with total linguistic precision.

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

Filme en 30 secondes

Filme is a masculine noun meaning movie or film, used in all Portuguese-speaking countries for cinematic entertainment and artistic works.
It is primarily used with the verbs 'assistir' (to watch) and 'ver' (to see), requiring masculine articles like 'o' and 'um'.
The word is versatile, covering various genres such as action, horror, and romance, and is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Commonly confused with 'vídeo' or 'série', 'filme' specifically refers to a standalone cinematic production rather than short clips or episodic content.

The Portuguese word filme is a masculine noun that translates directly to the English word 'film' or 'movie'. At its most basic level, it refers to a sequence of moving images that tell a story or document a reality, originally recorded on celluloid but now predominantly digital. In the Lusophone world, which includes countries like Brazil, Portugal, Angola, and Mozambique, the word filme is the standard term used in almost every context involving cinema. Whether you are talking about a Hollywood blockbuster, a local independent production, or a home video, filme is your primary vocabulary choice.

Grammatical Gender: The word is masculine, meaning you must use masculine articles like 'o' (the) or 'um' (a). For example, 'o filme' or 'um filme'. Adjectives must also agree in gender: 'o filme longo' (the long movie).

Historically, the word entered the Portuguese language as a loanword from English, replacing older terms like 'fita' (tape/ribbon) which were common during the early days of cinema when physical reels were the norm. Today, using 'fita' to refer to a movie sounds very dated, often associated with the era of VHS tapes. People use filme in social settings to suggest activities, such as 'Vamos ver um filme?' (Shall we watch a movie?). It is also used in professional settings by critics, directors, and producers.

Eu assisti a um filme emocionante ontem à noite com meus amigos no cinema novo da cidade.

Beyond the literal meaning, filme carries a heavy cultural weight. In Brazil, the 'Cinema Novo' movement used the medium of the filme to express social and political critiques, making the word synonymous with artistic expression and national identity. In Portugal, the 'Cinema de Autor' tradition emphasizes the director's vision, where a filme is viewed as a piece of high art. The versatility of the word allows it to be used for various genres: 'filme de ação' (action movie), 'filme de terror' (horror movie), or 'filme de romance' (romance movie). It is also used in the plural form, filmes, to discuss the industry as a whole or a collection of works.

Os filmes brasileiros ganharam muitos prêmios internacionais recentemente.

Register and Context: The word is neutral and appropriate for all levels of formality. You can use it with a child, a friend, or a university professor without changing the term.

Qual é o seu filme favorito de todos os tempos?

Aquele filme de ficção científica tem efeitos especiais incríveis.

Social Usage: Asking someone if they want to 'ver um filme' is a very common way to initiate a date or a casual hangout in Portuguese-speaking cultures.

Não gosto de filmes que terminam de forma triste.

In summary, filme is a foundational word for any Portuguese learner, bridging the gap between everyday entertainment and profound artistic discussion.

Using the word filme correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a masculine noun and its relationship with specific verbs. The most common verb paired with filme is 'assistir' (to watch). However, there is a significant difference between formal and informal usage here. In formal Portuguese, 'assistir' requires the preposition 'a'. Therefore, you should say 'Eu assisti ao filme' (I watched the movie). In informal Brazilian Portuguese, the preposition is often dropped, resulting in 'Eu assisti o filme'. Another common verb is 'ver' (to see), which is used just like in English: 'Eu vi o filme'.

Prepositional Agreement: When using 'assistir' in a formal context, remember the contraction: a (preposition) + o (article) = ao. Example: 'Nós assistimos ao filme premiado'.

When describing a movie, the adjective usually follows the noun. For instance, 'um filme interessante' (an interesting movie) or 'um filme assustador' (a scary movie). If you want to emphasize the quality, you might place the adjective before, but this is more poetic or stylistic.

Este filme é baseado em uma história real que aconteceu na década de oitenta.

You can also use filme with verbs of creation like 'fazer' (to make), 'produzir' (to produce), or 'dirigir' (to direct). For example, 'Ele dirigiu um filme maravilhoso' (He directed a wonderful movie). When talking about movies currently playing in theaters, the phrase 'em cartaz' is used. 'Quais filmes estão em cartaz hoje?' (Which movies are showing today?).

O filme começou com meia hora de atraso por causa de problemas técnicos.

In the plural, 'filmes' follows standard rules. 'Gosto de ver filmes aos domingos' (I like to watch movies on Sundays). When using demonstrative pronouns, remember they must be masculine: 'este filme' (this movie), 'esse filme' (that movie near you), 'aquele filme' (that movie over there).

Compound Structures: You can combine 'filme' with other nouns to specify types: 'filme de animação' (animated film), 'filme de época' (period piece), 'filme mudo' (silent film).

Aquele filme francês que você me recomendou é simplesmente fantástico.

Preciso comprar um filme fotográfico para a minha câmera antiga.

Verbs of Preference: Commonly used with 'gostar de' (to like), 'adorar' (to love), or 'odiar' (to hate). Example: 'Eu adoro este filme'.

Você já viu o filme novo do diretor Steven Spielberg?

Understanding these patterns will help you transition from simple sentences to complex discussions about cinematography and personal tastes.

The word filme is ubiquitous in Portuguese-speaking societies. You will hear it most frequently in casual conversations among friends when discussing weekend plans or recent entertainment. In Brazil, the phrase 'dar um filme' can sometimes be used figuratively to describe a long or dramatic situation, though this is more colloquial. In Portugal, the word is often pronounced with a slightly more closed 'i' sound, but the usage remains identical.

In the Media: Television news programs often have segments dedicated to 'lançamentos de filmes' (movie releases). You will hear critics using the word to analyze the 'roteiro' (script) or 'atuação' (acting) of a specific film.

On streaming platforms like Netflix or Globoplay (popular in Brazil), the interface is divided into 'Filmes' and 'Séries'. This distinction is crucial; while a 'série' has multiple episodes, a filme is typically a standalone feature.

O filme está disponível na plataforma de streaming desde a semana passada.

At the cinema, you will hear announcements like 'O filme vai começar' (The movie is about to start). Ticket booths (bilheterias) will have signs listing the 'horários dos filmes' (movie times). In academic or artistic circles, you might hear the term 'película', but filme remains the standard for 99% of interactions.

Aquele filme ganhou o Oscar de melhor produção estrangeira este ano.

Social media is another place where filme appears constantly. Influencers post 'reviews de filmes' or 'indicações de filmes' (movie recommendations). On YouTube, you'll find 'trailers de filmes' with millions of views.

Advertising: Billboards in major cities like São Paulo or Lisbon frequently advertise 'O filme do ano' (The movie of the year) to attract audiences to the theaters.

Eu não aguento mais ver propagandas desse filme em todo lugar.

O diretor escolheu rodar o filme em 35mm para obter uma estética clássica.

Cultural Events: Film festivals like 'Mostra Internacional de Cinema de São Paulo' or 'Festival de Cannes' are major events where the word 'filme' is the star of the conversation.

Muitos filmes independentes são exibidos pela primeira vez nesses festivais.

Whether you are buying a ticket, scrolling through a menu, or chatting with a neighbor, filme is the essential term for cinematic storytelling.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when learning Portuguese is related to the gender of the word filme. Since it ends in 'e', some learners mistakenly assume it is feminine. However, filme is strictly masculine. Saying 'a filme' is a common error; it must always be 'o filme'. Another mistake involves the plural form. While 'filmes' is correct, some learners try to apply English pluralization rules or forget to change the accompanying article, saying 'os filme' instead of 'os filmes'.

Verb-Preposition Confusion: As mentioned before, the verb 'assistir' technically requires 'a'. A common mistake is saying 'Eu assisti o filme' in a formal writing context where 'Eu assisti ao filme' is required. However, in casual speech, this is widely accepted.

Another confusion arises between 'filme' and 'cinema'. In English, we might say 'I'm going to the movies', where 'movies' refers to the place. In Portuguese, you should say 'Vou ao cinema' (I'm going to the cinema). Using 'Vou aos filmes' to mean the theater is incorrect and will confuse native speakers.

Errado: Eu vi uma filme muito boa. Correto: Eu vi um filme muito bom.

Learners also sometimes confuse filme with 'vídeo'. While all movies are videos in a technical sense, a 'vídeo' usually refers to shorter content, like a YouTube clip or a social media post, whereas filme implies a cinematic production.

Errado: O filme de minha filha é curto. (This is grammatically okay but often a slip of the tongue for 'The film is short').

Spelling Errors: Some learners spell it 'film' (English style) or 'filmi' (phonetic spelling). Always remember the 'e' at the end: F-I-L-M-E.

Eu quero ver esse filme, não aquele vídeo curto do Instagram.

Aquele filme que você mencionou não está mais nos cinemas.

Adjective Agreement: Remember that if the movie is 'great', it is 'um ótimo filme' or 'um filme ótimo'. Do not use the feminine 'ótima'.

O filme foi tão chato que eu dormi na metade da exibição.

By being mindful of these common pitfalls—especially gender and preposition usage—you will sound much more natural when speaking Portuguese.

While filme is the most common word for a movie, there are several alternatives depending on the context and the level of formality you wish to convey. Understanding these nuances will enrich your vocabulary and help you understand more complex texts.

Película: This is a more formal and technical term. It literally refers to the physical film strip. You will hear it in academic discussions or high-brow film criticism. Example: 'A película restaurada foi exibida no festival'.
Longa-metragem: Often shortened to just 'longa', this refers specifically to a feature-length film (usually over 70 minutes). It is used to distinguish from 'curta-metragem' (short film).

Another word you might encounter is 'fita'. As mentioned previously, this is an older term. While rarely used for modern digital movies, you might hear an older person say 'Vou ver uma fita', or it might appear in older literature.

O diretor está trabalhando em seu novo longa-metragem de ficção científica.

'Obra' (work) is another alternative, used when referring to a film as a piece of art. 'A obra de Glauber Rocha' refers to the collective films of that director. 'Produção' (production) is used when focusing on the industry or the making of the film.

Este documentário explora a vida selvagem na Floresta Amazônica.

Cinema: Sometimes 'cinema' is used metonymically to refer to the films themselves. 'Eu amo o cinema italiano' means you love Italian movies.

A película apresentava cores vibrantes e uma textura única.

Nada supera a emoção de ver um grande filme na telona.

Trama or Enredo: While not synonyms for 'filme', these refer to the 'plot'. Often used when discussing a movie: 'O filme tem uma trama complexa'.

O enredo do filme é cheio de reviravoltas inesperadas.

Knowing these alternatives allows you to vary your speech and understand different registers of Portuguese, from the street to the university.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

Neutre

Informel

Child friendly

Argot

Le savais-tu ?

Before 'filme' became the standard, Portuguese speakers often used the word 'fita' (ribbon/tape) because the physical film looked like a long ribbon. In some rural areas of Brazil, older generations might still use 'fita'.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈfiɫ.mi/

US /ˈfiw.mi/

The stress is on the first syllable: FIL-me.

Rime avec

Time (in some Brazilian pronunciations) Regime Crime Time (Team in Portuguese) Sublime Anime Vexame (partial) Dizime

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'L' like an English 'L' at the end of a syllable instead of a 'W' sound (in Brazil).
Omitting the final 'e' sound entirely, making it sound like the English word 'film'.
Over-emphasizing the final 'e' so it sounds like 'may' instead of 'mee'.
Confusing the 'i' sound with an 'e' sound.
Adding an extra vowel sound between 'f' and 'i'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Very easy as it is a direct cognate with English.

Écriture 1/5

Simple spelling, just remember the 'e' at the end.

Expression orale 2/5

Requires attention to the final vowel and the 'L' sound in Brazil.

Écoute 1/5

Easily recognizable in most contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

O (The) Um (A) Ver (To see) Gostar (To like) Bom (Good)

Apprends ensuite

Cinema (Cinema) Ator (Actor) Atriz (Actress) Roteiro (Script) Gênero (Genre)

Avancé

Diegese (Diegesis) Metalinguagem (Metalanguage) Montagem (Editing) Plano-sequência (Long take) Voz em off (Voice-over)

Grammaire à connaître

Masculine Noun Agreement

O filme é curto. (Not 'A filme' or 'curta').

Pluralization of Nouns ending in 'e'

Filme -> Filmes. Just add 's'.

Verbs of Perception

Eu vi o filme. (Direct object usage).

Prepositional Verb 'Assistir'

Eu assisti ao filme. (Requires 'a' in formal Portuguese).

Adjective Placement

Um filme maravilhoso. (Adjective usually follows the noun).

Exemples par niveau

O filme é muito bom.

The movie is very good.

Simple subject + verb + adjective structure.

Eu vejo um filme.

I see a movie.

Present tense of the verb 'ver'.

Você gosta de filmes?

Do you like movies?

Question using 'gostar de' with plural noun.

Um filme de ação.

An action movie.

Noun + preposition + noun to specify genre.

O filme é longo.

The movie is long.

Masculine adjective agreement.

Nós vamos ver um filme.

We are going to see a movie.

Future with 'ir' + infinitive.

Meu filme favorito.

My favorite movie.

Possessive pronoun + noun + adjective.

O filme termina agora.

The movie ends now.

Simple present tense.

Ontem eu assisti a um filme engraçado.

Yesterday I watched a funny movie.

Preterite tense with adjective.

Quero ver um filme de terror amanhã.

I want to see a horror movie tomorrow.

Verb 'querer' + infinitive.

Este filme é mais interessante que aquele.

This movie is more interesting than that one.

Comparative of superiority.

Ela não gosta de filmes tristes.

She doesn't like sad movies.

Negative sentence with plural noun.

O filme começou às oito horas.

The movie started at eight o'clock.

Indicating time with 'às'.

Nós compramos ingressos para o filme.

We bought tickets for the movie.

Preterite of 'comprar'.

Você já viu este filme novo?

Have you already seen this new movie?

Use of 'já' for 'already'.

O filme é sobre um cachorro.

The movie is about a dog.

Preposition 'sobre' meaning 'about'.

Se o filme for bom, eu vou recomendar.

If the movie is good, I will recommend it.

Future subjunctive with 'se'.

Eu prefiro ver filmes com legendas.

I prefer to watch movies with subtitles.

Verb 'preferir' + infinitive.

O filme que você mencionou é muito antigo.

The movie that you mentioned is very old.

Relative clause with 'que'.

Eles estão fazendo um filme sobre a história do Brasil.

They are making a movie about the history of Brazil.

Present continuous tense.

Espero que o filme não seja muito longo.

I hope the movie isn't too long.

Present subjunctive after 'esperar que'.

O filme foi dirigido por um cineasta famoso.

The movie was directed by a famous filmmaker.

Passive voice.

Apesar do frio, fomos ver o filme no cinema.

Despite the cold, we went to see the movie at the cinema.

Concession with 'apesar de'.

Gostaria de saber qual filme ganhou o prêmio.

I would like to know which movie won the prize.

Conditional mood.

O filme aborda questões sociais muito profundas.

The movie addresses very deep social issues.

Verb 'abordar' for 'addressing' a topic.

A atuação do protagonista salvou o filme.

The protagonist's acting saved the movie.

Noun 'atuação' (acting).

Embora o filme tenha tido críticas mistas, eu gostei.

Although the movie had mixed reviews, I liked it.

Conjunction 'embora' with subjunctive.

O filme é uma adaptação de um livro famoso.

The movie is an adaptation of a famous book.

Noun 'adaptação'.

A trilha sonora do filme é simplesmente magnífica.

The movie's soundtrack is simply magnificent.

Compound noun phrase.

O filme foi um fracasso de bilheteria, mas um sucesso de crítica.

The movie was a box office failure but a critical success.

Contrast using 'mas'.

Preciso que você me devolva o filme que te emprestei.

I need you to return the movie I lent you.

Subjunctive after 'preciso que'.

O filme explora a dualidade da natureza humana.

The movie explores the duality of human nature.

Abstract vocabulary.

A estética do filme remete ao expressionismo alemão.

The film's aesthetics refer to German Expressionism.

Advanced cultural reference.

O filme subverte os clichês do gênero de espionagem.

The film subverts the clichés of the spy genre.

Verb 'subverter' (to subvert).

A montagem do filme é fragmentada e não linear.

The film's editing is fragmented and non-linear.

Technical term 'montagem'.

O filme provocou uma grande polêmica na época do lançamento.

The film caused a great controversy at the time of its release.

Noun 'polêmica'.

É um filme que exige muito da atenção do espectador.

It is a movie that demands a lot of the viewer's attention.

Verb 'exigir' with relative clause.

O filme utiliza o silêncio como uma ferramenta narrativa.

The film uses silence as a narrative tool.

Metaphorical use of 'ferramenta'.

A película foi restaurada digitalmente para a mostra.

The film was digitally restored for the exhibition.

Use of 'película' as a formal synonym.

O filme é um marco na história do cinema nacional.

The movie is a landmark in the history of national cinema.

Idiomatic use of 'marco'.

A diegese do filme é construída com um rigor formal impressionante.

The film's diegesis is constructed with impressive formal rigor.

Highly technical academic vocabulary.

O filme transcende as barreiras linguísticas e culturais.

The film transcends linguistic and cultural barriers.

Abstract verb 'transcender'.

Há uma intertextualidade latente em cada cena do filme.

There is a latent intertextuality in every scene of the film.

Academic term 'intertextualidade'.

O filme é uma alegoria mordaz sobre o autoritarismo.

The film is a biting allegory about authoritarianism.

Sophisticated adjectives.

A recepção crítica do filme variou entre a apologia e o escárnio.

The critical reception of the film varied between apology and mockery.

High-level vocabulary for contrast.

O filme desconstrói a jornada do herói de forma magistral.

The film deconstructs the hero's journey in a masterful way.

Verb 'desconstruir'.

A fotografia do filme é imbuída de um lirismo melancólico.

The film's cinematography is imbued with a melancholic lyricism.

Poetic and technical language.

O filme opera em múltiplos níveis de significação.

The film operates on multiple levels of meaning.

Semiotic analysis terminology.

Collocations courantes

Assistir ao filme

Filme de ação

Filme de terror

Filme favorito

Gênero de filme

Crítica de filme

Estreia do filme

Personagem do filme

Trilha sonora do filme

Baseado em um filme

Phrases Courantes

Ver um filme

Filme de época

Filme cult

Filme mudo

Filme dublado

Filme legendado

Filme de animação

Filme documentário

Filme de suspense

Filme para a família

Souvent confondu avec

Filme vs Série

A 'série' has multiple episodes; a 'filme' is a single feature.

Filme vs Vídeo

A 'vídeo' is usually short or amateur; a 'filme' is professional/cinematic.

Filme vs Cinema

English speakers say 'the movies' for the place, but Portuguese uses 'cinema'.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Estar com o filme queimado"

To have a bad reputation or to be in someone's bad books. It implies that your 'image' is ruined.

Depois daquela briga, ele está com o filme queimado na empresa.

Informal

"Passar um filme na cabeça"

To have your life or a series of memories flash before your eyes. Often used during nostalgic moments.

Ao voltar para minha antiga escola, passou um filme na minha cabeça.

Neutral

"Parece coisa de filme"

Something that seems too incredible, romantic, or dramatic to be real, like a movie scene.

Como eles se conheceram parece coisa de filme.

Informal

"Fazer um filme"

To make a big deal out of something small; to overreact or create a dramatic scene.

Não precisa fazer um filme só porque eu cheguei atrasado.

Informal

"Filme de terror"

Used metaphorically to describe a disastrous, chaotic, or very bad situation.

O trânsito hoje de manhã estava um verdadeiro filme de terror.

Informal

"Cena de filme"

A very beautiful or dramatic moment, often used to describe romantic settings.

O pôr do sol na praia foi uma cena de filme.

Neutral

"Perder o filme"

To lose track of what is happening in a situation or to miss out on the main events.

Eu cheguei tarde na reunião e acabei perdendo o filme da conversa.

Informal

"Filme mudo"

Used to describe a situation where everyone is silent or someone is refusing to speak.

O jantar foi um filme mudo; ninguém disse uma palavra.

Informal

"Cortar o filme"

To interrupt a good moment or to stop someone's flow of thought or enjoyment.

A chuva chegou para cortar o filme do nosso piquenique.

Informal

"Final de filme"

A happy, perfect, or very predictable ending to a real-life situation.

Eles se casaram e tiveram um final de filme.

Neutral

Facile à confondre

Filme vs Filho

Similar starting sound.

Filho means son; Filme means movie. They are not related.

Meu filho gosta de ver um filme.

Filme vs Folha

Similar spelling for beginners.

Folha means leaf or sheet of paper; Filme means movie.

A folha de papel caiu durante o filme.

Filme vs Fila

Similar spelling.

Fila means line or queue (like at the cinema); Filme means movie.

A fila para o filme estava enorme.

Filme vs Firme

Similar sound.

Firme means firm or steady; Filme means movie.

Ele ficou firme durante o filme de terror.

Filme vs Fome

Ends in 'me'.

Fome means hunger; Filme means movie.

Eu sinto fome quando vejo um filme.

Structures de phrases

Eu gosto de [filme].

Eu gosto de filme de comédia.

Eu vi um filme [adjective] ontem.

Eu vi um filme legal ontem.

O filme que eu vi era sobre [topic].

O filme que eu vi era sobre a guerra.

Apesar de ser um filme [adjective], eu gostei.

Apesar de ser um filme longo, eu gostei.

O filme em questão aborda a temática de [topic].

O filme em questão aborda a temática da solidão.

A despeito da recepção, o filme constitui um marco.

A despeito da recepção, o filme constitui um marco estético.

Onde está o [filme]?

Onde está o filme de terror?

Vamos ao cinema ver o [filme]?

Vamos ao cinema ver o filme novo?

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high; used daily in conversation and media.

Erreurs courantes

A filme é boa. → O filme é bom.
Filme is a masculine noun, so it requires the masculine article 'o' and the masculine adjective 'bom'.
Eu assisti o filme. → Eu assisti ao filme.
In formal Portuguese, the verb 'assistir' (to watch) requires the preposition 'a'. 'A' + 'o' = 'ao'.
Vou aos filmes. → Vou ao cinema.
In Portuguese, you go to the 'cinema' (the place), not to the 'filmes' (the movies).
Eu vi um film. → Eu vi um filme.
Do not forget the 'e' at the end of the word. Portuguese words rarely end in 'm' unless it is a nasal vowel sound.
Este é uma fita nova. → Este é um filme novo.
Using 'fita' for a modern movie sounds very outdated and is usually incorrect for digital media.

Astuces

Gender Agreement

Always pair 'filme' with masculine adjectives. Even if you think the movie is 'beautiful' (linda), you must say 'o filme é lindo' because 'filme' is masculine.

The Brazilian 'L'

If you are learning Brazilian Portuguese, practice pronouncing the 'L' in 'filme' like a 'W'. It sounds more like 'fiw-me' than the English 'film'.

Genre Prepositions

When specifying a genre, use the preposition 'de'. For example: 'filme de ação', 'filme de comédia', 'filme de guerra'.

Inviting Friends

Use the phrase 'Vamos ver um filme?' as a low-pressure way to invite someone to hang out. It is a very common social invitation.

Streaming Settings

Change your Netflix or YouTube language settings to Portuguese. You will see the word 'Filmes' everywhere, which helps reinforce the vocabulary.

Using Assistir

In formal writing, always use 'assistir ao filme'. This small detail shows a high level of grammatical proficiency.

Reputation

Remember 'filme queimado' for when someone is in trouble. It is a very common and useful idiom in Brazilian social life.

Film vs. Movie

In English, 'film' can sound more artistic than 'movie'. In Portuguese, 'filme' is used for both, so don't worry about choosing a different word for art house cinema.

Final Vowel

Listen for the very soft 'ee' sound at the end of 'filme'. It is often subtle but distinguishes the word from the English 'film'.

Synonym Variety

Use 'longa-metragem' in your writing to sound more sophisticated when referring to a full-length movie.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of the English word 'Film' and just add an 'e' at the end. Imagine a movie screen with a giant 'E' for 'Entertainment' on it. Film + E = Filme.

Association visuelle

Visualize a classic black and white film reel. Now, imagine the reel is shaped like the letter 'O' to remind you it is masculine: 'O Filme'.

Word Web

Cinema Ator Pipoca Tela Diretor Oscar Hollywood Streaming

Défi

Try to name five different genres of 'filme' in Portuguese without looking at a dictionary. Then, write a sentence about your favorite 'filme' using at least two adjectives.

Origine du mot

The word 'filme' originates from the English word 'film'. It was adopted into Portuguese during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as cinema became a global phenomenon.

Sens originel : In English, 'film' originally referred to a thin skin, membrane, or layer. This was later applied to the thin layer of chemical emulsion on photographic plates and eventually to the celluloid strips used for moving pictures.

Germanic origin (via English) integrated into the Romance language structure of Portuguese.

Contexte culturel

When discussing 'filmes' about sensitive historical periods (like the colonial era or dictatorships), be aware that these are deeply emotional topics in Portuguese-speaking cultures.

English speakers might find it easy because it is a cognate, but they must resist the urge to use 'movie' (which doesn't exist in Portuguese) or 'film' without the final vowel.

Cinema Novo (Brazilian film movement) Festival de Gramado (Famous Brazilian film festival) Manoel de Oliveira (Renowned Portuguese film director)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

At the Cinema

Dois ingressos para o filme, por favor.
A que horas começa o filme?
O filme tem intervalo?
Onde é a sala do filme?

Socializing

Você quer ver um filme hoje?
Qual filme você recomenda?
Eu não gostei muito do filme.
O filme foi muito emocionante.

Streaming at Home

O filme está na Netflix?
Coloca um filme para a gente ver.
Vou baixar o filme para ver depois.
O filme parou de carregar.

Academic/Criticism

O filme analisa a sociedade contemporânea.
A estética do filme é inovadora.
O filme recebeu críticas positivas.
O roteiro do filme é bem estruturado.

Photography

Ainda vendem filme para esta câmera?
O filme queimou por causa da luz.
Preciso revelar este filme.
Este filme é de trinta e seis poses.

Amorces de conversation

"Qual foi o último filme que você viu no cinema?"

"Você prefere ver filmes em casa ou no cinema?"

"Qual é o seu gênero de filme favorito e por quê?"

"Você já viu algum filme brasileiro ou português?"

"Se você pudesse viver dentro de um filme, qual seria?"

Sujets d'écriture

Escreva sobre um filme que mudou sua forma de pensar sobre o mundo.

Descreva a trama do seu filme favorito sem dizer o nome dele.

Se você fosse um diretor, que tipo de filme você gostaria de fazer?

Compare um filme que você viu recentemente com o livro em que ele foi baseado.

Escreva sobre uma memória de infância relacionada a ir ao cinema ver um filme.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, 'filme' is a masculine noun. You must always use 'o', 'um', 'este', or 'aquele' with it. For example, 'o filme' or 'um filme'. Even if the movie is about a woman or has a feminine title, the word 'filme' itself remains masculine.

No, 'movie' is not a Portuguese word. You should always use 'filme'. If you use 'movie', people might understand you if they know English, but it is not correct Portuguese.

Both mean 'to watch' in the context of a movie. 'Ver' is more informal and common in daily life. 'Assistir' is more formal. In Brazil, people say 'assistir o filme', but the grammatically correct version is 'assistir ao filme'.

In Portuguese, you simply say 'cinema'. For example, 'Eu vou ao cinema' means 'I am going to the movie theater'.

You say 'diretor de cinema' or simply 'diretor' if the context is clear. For a female director, you say 'diretora'.

Yes, even if you are watching a digital file on your computer or a streaming service, it is still called a 'filme'.

It is an idiom meaning someone has a bad reputation. It comes from the idea of a photographic film being ruined by too much light.

Just add an 's' at the end: 'filmes'. Don't forget to pluralize the article too: 'os filmes'.

Yes, 'filme plástico' or 'papel filme' is the term for the thin plastic wrap used to cover food.

The most common are: ação (action), comédia (comedy), drama (drama), terror (horror), romance (romance), and ficção científica (science fiction).