German Cinema Vocabulary: List, Examples, and Short Story (A2-B1)

German Cinema Vocabulary: List, Examples, and Short Story (A2-B1)

Introduction to German Vocabulary: Movies and Cinema

For intermediate German learners (A2-B1 levels),expanding your vocabulary to include terms related to movies and cinema can greatly enhance your conversational skills. Whether you're discussing your favorite film, reading reviews, or planning a trip to the cinema, these words will help you engage more deeply with German-speaking friends and media.

In this guide, we'll explore essential German cinema vocabulary, complete with example sentences and English translations. By the end of this article, you'll be better equipped to discuss movies and understand cinema-related conversations in German.

Essential German Cinema Vocabulary List

Below is a curated list of common German words related to movies and cinema. Familiarize yourself with these terms to enhance your language skills and enjoy German films even more.

German WordEnglish Translation
der Abspannthe end credits
der Actionfilmthe action movie
das Dramathe drama
das Drehbuchthe screenplay
der Filmthe movie
filmento film
das Genrethe genre
der Horrorfilmthe horror film
die Kamerathe camera
das Kinothe cinema
die Komödiethe comedy
die Leinwandthe screen
lustigfunny
die Pausethe intermission
das Popcornthe popcorn
die Premierethe premiere
der Regisseurthe director
die Rezensionthe review
der Schauspielerthe actor
die Schauspielerinthe actress
schneidento cut
der Sitzplatzthe seat
der Soundtrackthe soundtrack
spannendexciting
synchronisierento dub
die Szenethe scene
der Titelthe title
der Trailerthe trailer
traurigsad
der Zuschauerthe viewer

Example Sentences with German Cinema Vocabulary

Film clapperboard and camera used in movie production, representing essential German Cinema Vocabulary for discussing filmmaking and films.

To help you understand how these words are used in context, here are some example sentences along with their English translations.

German WordGerman Example SentenceEnglish Translation
der AbspannWir blieben sitzen, um den Abspann zu sehen.We stayed seated to watch the end credits.
der ActionfilmMein Bruder liebt Actionfilme.My brother loves action movies.
das DramaDas Drama gewann viele Preise.The drama won many awards.
das DrehbuchDas Drehbuch wurde von einem berühmten Autor geschrieben.The screenplay was written by a famous author.
der FilmHast du den neuen Film gesehen?Have you seen the new movie?
filmenSie planen, in Berlin zu filmen.They plan to film in Berlin.
das GenreHorror ist nicht mein Lieblingsgenre.Horror is not my favorite genre.
der HorrorfilmDer Horrorfilm war sehr gruselig.The horror film was very scary.
die KameraDie Kameraarbeit in diesem Film ist beeindruckend.The cinematography in this film is impressive.
das KinoWir treffen uns um 7 Uhr vor dem Kino.We'll meet at 7 o'clock in front of the cinema.
die KomödieDie Komödie hat uns zum Lachen gebracht.The comedy made us laugh.
die LeinwandDer Film wurde auf einer großen Leinwand gezeigt.The movie was shown on a big screen.
lustigDer Film war sehr lustig.The movie was very funny.
die PauseEs gab eine kurze Pause in der Mitte des Films.There was a short intermission in the middle of the film.
das PopcornIch kaufe immer Popcorn im Kino.I always buy popcorn at the cinema.
die PremiereDie Premiere des Films ist nächsten Freitag.The movie's premiere is next Friday.
der RegisseurDer Regisseur ist für seinen einzigartigen Stil bekannt.The director is known for his unique style.
die RezensionDie Rezension des Films war positiv.The review of the movie was positive.
der SchauspielerDer Schauspieler hat eine großartige Leistung erbracht.The actor gave a great performance.
die Schauspielerin                                               Die Schauspielerin gewann einen Preis.The actress won an award.
schneidenSie müssen den Film noch schneiden.They still need to edit the film.
der SitzplatzUnsere Sitzplätze sind in der Mitte.Our seats are in the middle.
der SoundtrackDer Soundtrack des Films ist fantastisch.The movie's soundtrack is fantastic.
spannendDie Handlung war sehr spannend.The plot was very exciting.
synchronisierenDer Film wurde ins Deutsche synchronisiert.The film was dubbed into German.
die SzeneDiese Szene war besonders beeindruckend.That scene was particularly impressive.
der TitelWie lautet der Titel des Films?What is the title of the movie?
der TrailerHast du den neuen Trailer gesehen?Did you see the new trailer?
traurigDas Ende des Films war sehr traurig.The ending of the movie was very sad.
der ZuschauerDie Zuschauer waren begeistert.The viewers were thrilled.

Challenge Yourself with Our Film Vocabulary Quiz

Confident in your newly learned words? Try our interactive quiz and evaluate how well you know the key terms of German cinema. 

Begin the quiz: here. 

Read a Cinema-Themed Short Story

Dive into a short story that incorporates the cinema vocabulary you've just learned. 

Read the Short Story: Coming soon.

Conclusion

Expanding your German vocabulary to include movies and cinema opens up new avenues for conversation and enjoyment. Whether you're discussing films with friends or exploring German cinema, these terms will enhance your experience.

Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to revisit this guide whenever you need a refresher. Viel Spaß beim Filmschauen! (Have fun watching movies!)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why should I learn German cinema vocabulary?

Learning cinema vocabulary enables you to discuss movies, understand film reviews, and engage with German media, enriching your cultural experience and language skills.

Do you offer more German learning resources?

On our website you will find vocabulary articles, vocabulary quizzes, grammar articles, grammar quizzes and short stories to help you learn German effectively and with fun.

Niko

Article by Niko

Published 21 Oct 2024