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Phrasebook

English Phrases at the Cinema

Going to the movies is a fun way to use English outside the classroom. These phrases help you choose a film, buy tickets, get good seats, order snacks and talk about the movie afterward.

35 phrases · By LearnLingo Team · Updated

Tap to hear a phrase. Levels follow the CEFR scale. American English is the default; British variants are noted.

Choosing a film

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Do you want to see a movie tonight?

A1

UK: "Do you fancy going to the cinema tonight?"

Bu akşam film izlemek ister misin?
  • Sure! What's on?
  • I'd love to. What time?

What's playing right now?

A2

UK: "What's on at the cinema?"

Şu an neler oynuyor?
  • There's a new thriller and a cartoon.
  • Let me check the app.

What kind of movie is it?

A1
Nasıl bir film?
  • It's a comedy.
  • It's a sci-fi action movie.

I've heard it's really good.

A2
Çok iyi olduğunu duydum.
  • Yeah, the reviews are great.
  • Really? My friend said it was boring.

Is it in English or dubbed?

B1
İngilizce mi, yoksa dublajlı mı?
  • It's in English with subtitles.
  • There's a dubbed version too.

Does it have subtitles?

A2
Altyazısı var mı?
  • Only the late showing.
  • No, it's in the original language.

How long is it?

A1
Ne kadar sürüyor?
  • About two hours.
  • Almost three hours, so get a big drink.

Have you seen the trailer?

A2
Fragmanı izledin mi?
  • Yes, it looks amazing.
  • No, don't spoil it for me!

Buying tickets

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Two tickets for the 7:30 showing, please.

A2

Also: "the 7:30 show" (US) or "the 7:30 screening" (UK).

Saat 7.30 seansı için iki bilet, lütfen.
  • Sure. Where would you like to sit?
  • Sorry, that one's sold out.

What time does the next showing start?

A2
Bir sonraki seans saat kaçta başlıyor?
  • At nine fifteen.
  • In about twenty minutes.

Is it sold out?

A2
Biletler tükendi mi?
  • Almost. There are a few seats left.
  • Yes, but there's another showing at ten.

Do you have student tickets?

A2

Ask about student, senior or child tickets. Bring your student ID.

Öğrenci biletiniz var mı?
  • Yes, with a valid student ID.
  • Only on weekdays.

Is this showing in 3D?

A2
Bu seans 3D mi?
  • No, the 3D one is at eight.
  • Yes, you'll get glasses at the door.

I booked tickets online.

A2
Biletleri internetten aldım.
  • Great. Just show the QR code at the door.
  • Can I see your confirmation?

Seats

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Are there any seats in the middle?

A2
Ortada boş koltuk var mı?
  • Yes, row H is free.
  • Only near the front, I'm afraid.

Can we sit together?

A2
Yan yana oturabilir miyiz?
  • Yes, I have two seats next to each other.
  • Not for this showing, sorry.

Not too close to the screen, please.

A2
Perdeye çok yakın olmasın, lütfen.
  • How about row J?
  • These are in the back. Is that okay?

Excuse me, I think you're in my seat.

B1

Show your ticket and smile. It is usually an honest mistake.

Affedersiniz, sanırım benim koltuğumdasınız.
  • Oh, sorry! Let me check.
  • Are you sure? I have seat 12.

Sorry, can I just squeeze past?

B1

What you say when you walk past people to reach your seat.

Pardon, şöyle bir geçebilir miyim?
  • Sure, go ahead.
  • Oh, of course.

Snacks and drinks

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

A large popcorn and two Cokes, please.

A1
Büyük boy bir patlamış mısır ve iki kola, lütfen.
  • Salted or sweet?
  • Would you like butter on that?

Salted or sweet?

A2

In the UK, sweet popcorn is very common. In the US, buttered and salted is the classic.

Tuzlu mu, tatlı mı?
  • Salted, please.
  • Can I get half and half?

Can I bring my own snacks in?

B1
Kendi atıştırmalıklarımı içeri getirebilir miyim?
  • No, only food bought here.
  • Yes, that's fine.

Can I get some more napkins?

A2
Biraz daha peçete alabilir miyim?
  • Sure, they're right there.
  • Here you go.

During the film

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

Could you please keep it down?

B1

Polite but clear. You can also say "Shh" quietly.

Biraz sessiz olabilir misiniz, lütfen?
  • Sorry!
  • Oh, sorry about that.

Could you please turn off your phone?

A2
Telefonunuzu kapatabilir misiniz, lütfen?
  • Sorry, I'll put it away.

The sound is really low.

A2

Tell a staff member if there is a problem with the picture or the sound.

Ses çok kısık.
  • I'll tell the staff.
  • Yeah, I can barely hear it.

Where are the restrooms?

A1

UK: "Where are the toilets?"

Tuvaletler nerede?
  • Just outside, on the left.
  • Past the snack bar.

Did I miss anything?

A2
Bir şey kaçırdım mı?
  • Not much. They just found the money.
  • Yes, the best part!

Talking about the film

EnglishTurkishYou might hear

So, what did you think?

A2
Eee, nasıl buldun?
  • I loved it!
  • It was okay, but a bit long.

It was much better than I expected.

B1
Beklediğimden çok daha iyiydi.
  • Same here.
  • Really? I was a bit disappointed.

The ending was amazing.

A2
Sonu muhteşemdi.
  • I didn't see it coming!
  • I thought it was a bit confusing.

It was a bit too long for me.

A2
Bana biraz fazla uzun geldi.
  • Yeah, the middle was slow.
  • I didn't notice the time at all.

The acting was great, but the story was weak.

B1
Oyunculuk harikaydı ama hikâye zayıftı.
  • I agree.
  • I actually liked the story.

No spoilers, please!

B1

A spoiler tells someone what happens before they see it.

Lütfen sürprizi bozma!
  • Okay, my lips are sealed.
  • Don't worry, I won't say anything.

I'd recommend it.

A2
Tavsiye ederim.
  • Thanks, I'll go this weekend.
  • Is it okay for kids?

Sample dialogues

At the ticket counter

Customer
Hi. Two tickets for the 7:30 showing, please.
Merhaba. Saat 7.30 seansı için iki bilet, lütfen.
Staff
Sure. Is that two adults?
Tabii. İki yetişkin mi?
Customer
One adult and one student. Here's my student ID.
Bir yetişkin, bir öğrenci. Buyurun, öğrenci kimliğim.
Staff
Thanks. Where would you like to sit?
Teşekkürler. Nerede oturmak istersiniz?
Customer
Are there any seats in the middle? We'd like to sit together.
Ortada boş koltuk var mı? Yan yana oturmak istiyoruz.
Staff
I have two seats together in row G. Is that okay?
G sırasında yan yana iki koltuk var. Uygun mu?
Customer
Perfect. Does it have subtitles?
Mükemmel. Altyazısı var mı?
Staff
No, it's in English only. Screen four, on your left. Enjoy the movie!
Hayır, sadece İngilizce. Dördüncü salon, solunuzda. İyi seyirler!

After the movie

Ayşe
So, what did you think?
Eee, nasıl buldun?
Jake
Honestly, it was much better than I expected.
Açıkçası beklediğimden çok daha iyiydi.
Ayşe
Me too! The ending was amazing. I didn't see it coming.
Ben de! Sonu muhteşemdi. Hiç beklemiyordum.
Jake
It was a bit too long for me, though.
Ama bana biraz fazla uzun geldi.
Ayşe
Yeah, the middle was a little slow. The acting was great, though.
Evet, orta kısım biraz yavaştı. Ama oyunculuk harikaydı.
Jake
Definitely. I'd recommend it to my brother.
Kesinlikle. Kardeşime tavsiye ederim.
Ayşe
Just don't give him any spoilers!
Yeter ki ona sürprizi bozma!

Common mistakes Turkish speakers make

What is in the cinema today?

What's playing today?

Ask "What's playing?" (US) or "What's on?" (UK). "What is in the cinema" sounds like you are asking about objects in the building.

This film is in vision now.

This film is in theaters now.

Turkish "vizyonda" is "in theaters" (US) or "in cinemas" or "showing" (UK). "Vision" means eyesight.

Which session do you want?

Which showing do you want?

Turkish "seans" is "showing", "show" or "screening", not "session".

The film was very bored.

The film was very boring.

"Boring" describes the film, "bored" describes how you feel: "I was bored." The same pattern: interesting and interested.

Don't tell me the end, don't make spoil!

No spoilers, please!

Use the noun: "No spoilers" or the verb: "Don't spoil it". "Make spoil" is not English.

Quick quiz

Eight questions to check what you remember. Pick an answer to see if it is right.

  1. 1. "Vizyonda" in American English is...

  2. 2. "Seans" at the cinema is...

  3. 3. In British English, "What's playing?" is often...

  4. 4. Complete: "The movie was so ___. I almost fell asleep."

  5. 5. You need to pass people to reach your seat. You say...

  6. 6. "No spoilers, please!" means...

  7. 7. A film in your own language with no original voices is...

  8. 8. Which question asks for your friend's opinion?

0 of 8 answered

Show all answers
  1. in theaters
  2. showing
  3. What's on?
  4. boring
  5. Sorry, can I just squeeze past?
  6. Don't tell me what happens.
  7. dubbed
  8. So, what did you think?

See what the A2 English course covers, or test your level first.

People also ask

Is it "cinema", "movie theater" or "the movies"?+

All are correct. Americans usually say "movie theater" and "go to the movies". British speakers say "cinema" and "go to the cinema". Everyone understands both.

What is the difference between "movie" and "film"?+

They mean the same thing. "Movie" is more common in American English, and "film" is more common in British English.

What is a matinee?+

A matinee is an afternoon showing. Some cinemas offer cheaper tickets for matinees, so it is worth asking.

Can watching movies in English help me learn?+

Yes. Start with English subtitles so you can match sounds and words, then try without them for films you already know.

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