Japanese · Daily Life
映画
eiga
Movie / Film
Beginnernoun
Definition
A sequence of moving images. Japan has a rich cinematic tradition, with acclaimed directors like Akira Kurosawa and Hayao Miyazaki achieving worldwide recognition.
Example
週末に映画を見に行きました。
I went to see a movie on the weekend.
Etymology
映画 (eiga) combines the characters 映, meaning 'to reflect,' and 画, meaning 'picture' or 'painting.' The term reflects the art form's development and influences since it was introduced from Western filmmaking.
How & Where It’s Used
映画 is used in both spoken and written forms and is regarded as a formal term in media and cultural discussions. It is universally recognized across Japan, though regional film genres might differ.