Translation guide
The English word "film" covers several distinct concepts: a movie, a thin layer or coating, photographic material, and the medium of cinema. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
Referring to a movie shown in theaters or on TV, or the art form.
The most common and general word for a movie or film. Used for both the medium and individual works.
I saw an interesting film yesterday.
He is a film director.
Can mean a movie, but often sounds old-fashioned or technical. More commonly used for photographic film or thin layers.
This film is in black and white.
A loanword from English, used casually, especially in compound words or when referring to home videos.
We watched a home movie on the weekend.
A thin layer of a substance on a surface, such as oil, plastic, or a membrane.
General term for a thin layer, membrane, or film. Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
There is a film of oil on the water.
cell membrane
Literally 'thin layer', a descriptive phrase that can replace 'film' in many contexts.
A thin film of dust formed on the surface.
Used for thin plastic sheets or wrap, like plastic wrap or photographic film.
The light-sensitive material used in analog photography or movies.
The standard word for photographic film. Also used for movie film stock.
This camera uses film.
to develop film
Referring to the art, industry, or process of making movies.
When referring to a thin layer, do not use 映画 (movie). Use 膜 or 薄い層. Using 映画 for a layer of oil would be nonsensical.
映画 is the everyday word for a movie. フィルム is more technical or old-fashioned, often referring to the physical film strip. In modern Japanese, 映画 is almost always the better choice for 'movie'.
plastic wrap (for food)
the history of film