Ag Dul go dtí an Phictiúrlann: Going to the Movies
Topic Overview: Talking About Cinema and Routines
This discussion topic accompanies Module "I go to the movies every Tuesday" from the My Irish Course A1. Complete the module lessons before participating in this discussion for the best learning experience!
Imagine you're chatting with friends about your weekly routines and hobbies. Someone asks, "What do you do in your free time?" You reply, "I go to the movies every Tuesday!" This everyday scenario gives us perfect practice for discussing leisure activities, describing routines, talking about films, and using time expressions in Irish.
Key Vocabulary for This Topic
Cinema and Films
- Pictiúrlann (pik-choor-lon) = Cinema/Movie theatre
- Scannán (skan-awn) = Film/Movie
- Pictiúr (pik-choor) = Picture/Film
- Ticéad (tik-ayd) = Ticket
- Suíochán (see-oh-khawn) = Seat
- Scáileán (skaw-lawn) = Screen
- Popcorn (same in Irish)
- Deoch (jukh) = Drink
- Milseáin (mil-shawn) = Sweets/Candy
Types of Films
- Scannán grá (skan-awn graw) = Romance film
- Scannán uafáis (skan-awn oo-a-fawsh) = Horror film
- Scannán gníomhaíochta (skan-awn g-neev-ee-akh-ta) = Action film
- Greannscannán (gran-skan-awn) = Comedy
- Scannán eachtraíochta (skan-awn akh-tree-akh-ta) = Adventure film
- Cartún (kar-toon) = Cartoon
- Scannán staire (skan-awn star-a) = Historical film
Days of the Week
- Dé Luain (day loo-in) = Monday
- Dé Máirt (day maw-irt) = Tuesday
- Dé Céadaoin (day kay-deen) = Wednesday
- Déardaoin (dayr-deen) = Thursday
- Dé hAoine (day heen-a) = Friday
- Dé Sathairn (day sa-harn) = Saturday
- Dé Domhnaigh (day dow-nig) = Sunday
Time Expressions
- Gach (gakh) = Every
- Uaireanta (oo-ir-an-ta) = Sometimes
- Go minic (guh min-ik) = Often
- Anois is arís (a-nish iss a-reesh) = Now and then
- De ghnáth (de gnawh) = Usually
- I gcónaí (i go-nee) = Always
- Go hannamh (guh han-uv) = Rarely
Going and Doing
- Téim (taym) = I go
- Téimid (tay-mid) = We go
- Téann tú (tay-un too) = You go
- Feicim (fek-im) = I see
- Breathnaím ar (brah-neem er) = I watch
- Is maith liom (iss mah lum) = I like
- Is breá liom (iss braw lum) = I love
Describing Films
- Iontach (in-takh) = Wonderful
- Scanrúil (skan-rool) = Scary
- Greannmhar (gran-var) = Funny
- Boring = Leadránach (lad-raw-nakh)
- Suimiúil (sim-ool) = Interesting
- Corraitheach (kor-a-hakh) = Exciting
- Brónach (broh-nakh) = Sad
Sample Cinema Routine
Here's how someone might describe their cinema routine:
"Is breá liom dul go dtí an phictiúrlann. Téim ann gach Dé Máirt mar tá lascaine speisialta ann an lá sin - táim in ann ticéad a fháil ar dhá euro déag!
De ghnáth, buailim le mo chara Síle ag a seacht a chlog san oíche. Ceannaímid ár dticéid ag an gcuntar agus faighimid popcorn mór le roinnt. Is maith liom popcorn sailéadach ach is fearr le Síle popcorn milis.
Téimid isteach sa halla mór agus roghnaímid suíocháin sa lár. Ní maith liom suí róchóngarach don scáileán. Suímid síos agus fanaimid go dtosóidh an scannán.
Taitníonn gach cineál scannán liom ach is fearr liom greannscannáin. Fágann siad áthas orm i gcónaí. Ní maith le Síle scannáin uafáis ach is breá liom iad! Corruair, breathnaímid ar scannán gníomhaíochta nó scannán grá.
Tar éis an scannáin, téimid go dtí caifé in aice láimhe agus pléimid an scannán. Cé acu is fearr linn é? Cé na haisteoirí is fearr? An molfaimis é do chairde eile?
Is é an Máirt an oíche is fearr den tseachtain agam anois!"
Translation: "I love going to the cinema. I go there every Tuesday because there's a special discount that day - I can get a ticket for twelve euros!
Usually, I meet my friend Síle at seven o'clock in the evening. We buy our tickets at the counter and get a large popcorn to share. I like salty popcorn but Síle prefers sweet popcorn.
We go into the big hall and choose seats in the middle. I don't like sitting too close to the screen. We sit down and wait for the film to start.
I enjoy every kind of film but I prefer comedies. They always make me happy. Síle doesn't like horror films but I love them! Sometimes, we watch an action film or a romance film.
After the film, we go to a nearby café and discuss the film. Which of us liked it better? Who are the best actors? Would we recommend it to other friends?
Tuesday is now the best night of the week for me!"
Your Turn: Practice Exercise
Choose one of these scenarios:
Scenario A: Describe Your Cinema Routine Share your habits around going to the cinema:
- How often you go
- What day(s) you prefer
- Who you go with
- What you buy at the cinema
- What types of films you prefer
Scenario B: Review a Recent Film Tell us about a film you've seen recently:
- The name of the film
- What type of film it was
- When and where you watched it
- What it was about
- Your opinion of it
Scenario C: Plan a Cinema Trip Imagine you're planning to go to the cinema this week:
- What day will you go?
- What film do you want to see?
- Who will you invite?
- What time will you meet?
- What will you do before or after?
Helpful Sentence Starters
Use these phrases to structure your response:
- Frequency: "Téim go dtí an phictiúrlann gach..." (I go to the cinema every...)
- Preferences: "Is fearr liom..." (I prefer...) / "Is maith liom..." (I like...)
- Companions: "Téim leis/léi..." (I go with him/her...) / "Buailim le..." (I meet with...)
- Opinions: "Tá an scannán..." (The film is...) / "Ceapaim go bhfuil sé..." (I think it's...)
- Plans: "Rachaidh mé..." (I will go...) / "Feicfidh mé..." (I will see...)
Useful Expressions
At the Cinema:
- Cé mhéad atá ar thicéad? (Kay vade a-taw er hik-ayd?) = How much is a ticket?
- Dhá thicéad, le do thoil (Gaw hik-ayd, le duh hul) = Two tickets, please
- Cá bhfuil na leithris? (Kaw vil na ler-ish?) = Where are the toilets?
- Cathain a thosaíonn an scannán? (Ka-hin a hus-ee-un on skan-awn?) = When does the film start?
Talking About Films:
- An bhfaca tú...? (On vak-a too...?) = Did you see...?
- Chonaic mé scannán iontach (Khun-ik may skan-awn in-takh) = I saw a wonderful film
- Bhí sé go hiontach (Vee shay guh hin-takh) = It was wonderful
- Ní raibh sé go maith (Nee rev shay guh mah) = It wasn't good
Making Plans:
- An rachaidh tú go dtí an phictiúrlann liom? (On ra-hee too guh dee on pik-choor-lon lum?) = Will you go to the cinema with me?
- Buailfimid ag... (Bool-fim-id egg...) = We'll meet at...
- Cén t-am? (Kayn tom?) = What time?
A Cinema Story
Here's a short story about a cinema visit:
"Bhí Máirtín ag tnúth leis an Aoine. Bhí scannán nua ag teacht amach - scannán eachtraíochta faoi spásaire. Bhí áthas air mar is breá leis scannáin eachtraíochta.
Chuir sé téacs chuig a chairde Tomás agus Aoife. 'An bhfuil sibh ag iarraidh dul go dtí an phictiúrlann Dé hAoine?' a scríobh sé.
'Tá!' a d'fhreagair Tomás go tapa. 'Cén t-am?'
'Ag a hocht a chlog?' a mhol Máirtín.
'Tá sin go maith,' a dúirt Aoife.
Ar an Aoine, chuaigh an triúr acu go dtí an phictiúrlann. Cheannaigh siad a dticéid agus popcorn mór. Bhí an halla lán le daoine - bhí gach duine ag iarraidh an scannán nua a fheiceáil!
Fuair siad suíocháin maithe sa lár. Nuair a thosaigh an scannán, bhí ciúnas iomlán sa halla. Bhí an scannán chomh hiontach! Bhí sé corraitheach agus scanrúil agus greannmhar.
Tar éis dhá uair an chloig, chríochnaigh an scannán. 'Sin é an scannán is fearr a chonaic mé riamh!' a dúirt Tomás.
D'aontaigh siad go léir. Bhí sé foirfe!"
Translation: "Máirtín was looking forward to Friday. A new film was coming out - an adventure film about astronauts. He was happy because he loves adventure films.
He sent a text to his friends Tomás and Aoife. 'Do you want to go to the cinema on Friday?' he wrote.
'Yes!' answered Tomás quickly. 'What time?'
'At eight o'clock?' suggested Máirtín.
'That's good,' said Aoife.
On Friday, the three of them went to the cinema. They bought their tickets and a large popcorn. The hall was full of people - everyone wanted to see the new film!
They got good seats in the middle. When the film started, there was complete silence in the hall. The film was so wonderful! It was exciting and scary and funny.
After two hours, the film finished. 'That's the best film I've ever seen!' said Tomás.
They all agreed. It was perfect!"
Cultural Notes
In Irish culture, going to the cinema is a popular social activity. Many cinemas offer discount days, particularly on Tuesdays or Wednesdays. Irish cinema has a rich tradition, and Irish-language films have been growing in popularity. The Irish Film Institute in Dublin promotes both Irish and international cinema. Discussing films and recommending them to friends is a common conversation topic.
Grammar Focus: Expressing Routines
Remember these key patterns:
Frequency with "gach" (every):
- Gach lá (every day)
- Gach seachtain (every week)
- Gach Dé Máirt (every Tuesday)
Present tense for routines:
- Téim (I go) - regular activity
- Feicim (I see) - regular activity
- Ceannaím (I buy) - regular activity
Preferences:
- Is maith liom (I like) + noun
- Is breá liom (I love) + noun
- Is fearr liom (I prefer) + noun
Discussion Questions
After you post about cinema, consider these questions:
- Cé chomh minic a théann tú go dtí an phictiúrlann? (How often do you go to the cinema?)
- Cén cineál scannán is fearr leat? (What type of film do you like best?)
- An fearr leat dul go dtí an phictiúrlann nó breathnú ar scannáin sa bhaile? (Do you prefer going to the cinema or watching films at home?)
- Cén scannán is fearr a chonaic tú le déanaí? (What's the best film you've seen recently?)
Film Vocabulary Extension
At the Cinema:
- Aisteoir (ash-chore) = Actor
- Stiúrthóir (shchoor-hore) = Director
- Fochlíne (fukh-leen-a) = Subtitles
- Trailéar (tral-ayr) = Trailer
- Príomhcharachtar (preem-khar-akh-tar) = Main character
Giving Opinions:
- Mholfainn é (vohl-hin ay) = I would recommend it
- Ní mholfainn é (nee vohl-hin ay) = I wouldn't recommend it
- B'fhiú é a fheiceáil (bwee ay a ek-awl) = It's worth seeing
- Níorbh fhiú é (neer-uv wee ay) = It wasn't worth it
Next Steps
Once you've shared your cinema routine or film review:
- Read others' favourite films and add them to your watchlist
- Practice using time expressions in daily conversation
- Try describing other weekly routines using similar patterns
- Consider watching an Irish-language film to practice your skills
Remember: This exercise helps you practice expressing routines and preferences while discussing a popular leisure activity. Talking about films is a great way to connect with others and share recommendations!
Bain sult as na scannáin! (Enjoy the films!)
Want to learn more? Continue with the next module in My Irish Course A1 to build on these routine expressions and expand your Irish language abilities!
This topic is designed for A1 level Irish learners studying the module "I go to the movies every Tuesday." Focus on using the frequency expressions and cinema vocabulary provided, and don't hesitate to ask questions about pronunciation or grammar in the comments.
Caoimhe, OLS Community Manager - Irish