Learning words associated with a theme (tema), occupation (ocupación), or profession (profesión) is a good way for the Spanish language student to expand vocabulary. Focusing on theme-related cognates is a great way to start. The following are some fun and useful Spanish/English cognates associated with television, movie, theater, and radio media.
Spanish English Cognates Associated with Television and Radio
The following are a sampling of cognates Spanish language learners may find useful when learning vocabulary associated with the TV and radio industry. A few sample phrases are included that help put the cognates into context.
- la televisión – television, TV
- el programa – program (Note: even though "programa" ends in an a, it is a masculine noun and uses the masculine definite articles.)
- el programa de televisión – television program
- el programa de humor – TV comedy show
- la serie cómica; la serie de humor – a TV sitcom series
- la telenovela – daily soap opera (television novel)
- la televisión por cable – cable TV
- la televisión por satellite – satellite TV
- la televisión digital – digital TV
- la cámara – camera
- equipo (m) de filmación – camera crew (televisión) (as in those who use the film equipment)
- audiencia (f) (televisión & radio) – audience
- imágenes en movimiento – moving images
- sonido – sound
- prohibido – prohibited
- consecutivos – consecutive, sequential
- radio – radio
- la transmisión y recepción – transmission and reception
Try translating these sentences made up of almost all cognates:
- Me gusta ver las telenovelas de México.
- ¿A qué hora es mi programa favorito?
- ¡Este programa de televisión es cómico!
- Una telenovela es un programa de televisión producido originalmente en México y en varias otras áreas de América Latina.
Spanish English Cognates Associated with the Movie Industry
Movies are popular throughout the Spanish-speaking world. These cognates will help the Spanish language learner grow vocabulary specific to this dynamic media.
- cine – cinema (as in a movie theater/ the movies)
- el actor / l’actriz de cine – cinema (movie) actor/actress
- la cámara cinematográfica; la cámara de cine – cinema (movie) camera
- la industria cinematográfica; la industria del cine – cinema (movie) industry
- el proyector cinematográfico – cinema (movie) projector
- productor(ora) – producer (of film, play, radio or TV program)
- director(ora) de cine – cinema (movie, film) director
- director(ora) de fotografía – director of photography
- la comedia – a comedic movie or film
- humor (m) humoro (m) – humorous (entertainment)
- humorista – humorist
- el cómico - comedian
- el dramatismo – drama (excitement)
- cómico(a) – comical, funny, laughable, zany
- dramático(a) – dramatic
- animado – animated (lively, cheerful, in high spirits, busy)
Here are some cognate-laden sentences to practice translating:
- Me puedo imaginar la escena.
- Quiero ver a las actrices de cine.
- El actor y la directora de cine escribieron la comedia.
Spanish English Cognates Associated with the Theater
Attending the theater is a unique experience in any culture. While many of the cognates listed for television and the cinema are also words used for the theater, the following are specific cognates associated with the experience of live theater.
- el teatro – theater
- la compañía de teatro – theater company
- la escena – scene
- director(ora) de escena – director of the scene (stage); producer, stage manager
- director(ora) de orquesta – director of the orchestra; conductor
- la comedia – a play that is a comedy
Try translating these sentences:
- Yo voy al teatro.
- Me puedo imaginar la escena.
- Este comedia tiene mucho humorismo.
Spanish English Cognates Associated with the Internet
Much of the vocabulary associated with the Internet is relatively new. Some words are devised from a new take on older vocabulary, some come directly from English, the most popular language used on the Internet. These are a sampling of cognates that will be useful when discussing Internet and technology related topics.
- el Internet – the Internet
- la tecnología – technology
- medios digitales – digital media
- navegar por Internet – to surf (navigate) the Internet
- la dirección de Internet – the Internet address
- la banca por el Internet – Internet banking
- la conexión a Internet – Internet connection
- el sistema – system
Translate this sentence using the cognates above: El Internet es una sistema grande de la tecnologia.
Just as with English, there is a vast array of vocabulary that must be learned in Spanish to be able to converse about the various media and the Internet. However, starting with the Spanish/English cognates above will give the Spanish language learner a headstart in building vocabulary. This cognate inventory is by no means a complete list; but is intended as a starting place to increase functional vocabulary. The list can be added to as new cognates are discovered.
Learn even more Spanish with news media-related cognates. To stretch your learning check out some romantic movies in Spanish. And check out these free Spanish language learning apps for iPhone and iPad.
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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