das Kino
cinema / movie theater
A building or auditorium where films are shown publicly on a screen.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Kino in der Innenstadt hat zehn Säle.
The new cinema downtown has ten theaters.
das Kino
cinema
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Meanings
ins Kino gehen
to go to the cinema
The activity of attending a film screening in a cinema.
EXAMPLE
Wollen wir am Wochenende ins Kino gehen?
Do we want to go to the cinema this weekend?
das Kino
cinema
The art form or industry of film as a whole.
EXAMPLE
Das französische Kino der 60er Jahre hat viele Regisseure beeinflusst.
French cinema of the 1960s influenced many directors.
Usage tips
Word origin
The word 'Kino' (cinema) is a shortened form of the old word 'Kinematograph'. This term comes from Greek and means 'movement writer'. However, knowing the origin is no longer necessary for modern usage.
EXAMPLE
Früher nannte man das Kino auch Lichtspielhaus.
In the past, a cinema was also called a 'Lichtspielhaus'.
Movement or location?
Pay attention to the difference between 'ins Kino' (accusative) for movement to a place and 'im Kino' (dative) for being at a place. This rule applies to many expressions of place.
EXAMPLE
Wir gehen heute Abend ins Kino.
We are going to the cinema tonight.
Typical collocations
The activity is usually expressed with the verb 'gehen' (to go). Typical phrases are 'ins Kino gehen' (to go to the cinema), 'jemanden ins Kino einladen' (to invite someone to the cinema), or 'sich im Kino treffen' (to meet at the cinema).
EXAMPLE
Er hat sie zu einem Date ins Kino eingeladen.
He invited her to the cinema for a date.
Context clue
When 'Kino' (cinema) means the art form or film industry, it often appears with an adjective describing a nationality, an era, or a style. The context is then usually cultural or historical.
EXAMPLE
Das italienische Kino der Nachkriegszeit ist weltberühmt.
Italian cinema of the postwar period is world-famous.
Compare with
Kino vs Film
film
The Film is the individual work that you watch. The Kino, by contrast, is the place where films are shown to the public on a screen. When talking about a work's content or quality, use Film; for the place where it is shown, use Kino.
Kino
Das Kino öffnet heute um acht Uhr.
The cinema opens at eight o'clock tonight.
Film
Der Film beginnt heute um acht Uhr.
The film starts at eight o'clock tonight.
In real life
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