01
filmen
to film
To record moving images with a camera in order to create a film.
example
Sie hat den gesamten Urlaub mit ihrem neuen Smartphone gefilmt.
She filmed the entire vacation with her new smartphone.
filmen
to film
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'filmen' (to film) is derived directly from the noun 'der Film' (the film/movie). This structure, in which a noun becomes a verb, is very common in German.
EXAMPLE
Für ihr Schulprojekt will sie einen kurzen Film drehen und alles selbst filmen.
For her school project, she wants to shoot a short film and film everything herself.
Sentence structure with accusative
'Filmen' is a transitive verb and almost always needs an accusative object. You ask: Wen oder was filmst du? (Whom or what are you filming?)
EXAMPLE
Der Tourist filmte die beeindruckende Architektur der alten Kirche.
The tourist filmed the impressive architecture of the old church.
Typical collocations
'Filmen' is often used with a preposition that describes the device, for example 'mit dem Handy filmen' (to film with a mobile phone) or 'mit einer Drohne filmen' (to film with a drone).
EXAMPLE
Er filmt seine Reisen immer mit einer professionellen Kamera.
He always films his travels with a professional camera.
Compare with
filmen vs aufnehmen
to record / take in
'aufnehmen' and 'filmen' can both mean that you save images with a device. However, 'filmen' only fits moving images with a camera, that is, videos or films. 'aufnehmen' is broader: you can record a video, but also music, a conversation, or sounds. Learners may confuse the words because with videos you can often say both. When it is clearly about a camera and moving images, 'filmen' often sounds more precise. When it is generally about recording sound or images, 'aufnehmen' fits better.
filmen
Beim Training filmt du die Übung, damit du sie später noch einmal ansehen kannst.
During training, you film the exercise so you can watch it again later.
aufnehmen
Yusuf nimmt das Lied mit seinem Handy auf.
Yusuf records the song with his phone.
In real life
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