Translation and Meaning of: フィルム - fyirumu

On this page, we will study the meaning of the Japanese word フィルム (fyirumu) and its translation into English. Let's see their different meanings, example phrases, explanations, etymology and the similar words.

Romaji: fyirumu

Kana: フィルム

Type: Noun

L: jlpt-n5

フィルム

Translation / Meaning: film (roll of)

Meaning in English: film (roll of)

Definition: A thin transparent sheet used for photographs, films, etc.

Sumário
- Etymology
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Phrases

Explanation and Etymology - (フィルム) fyirumu

The word 「フィルム」 (fyirumu) is a classic example of gairaigo, meaning a term of foreign origin adapted to Japanese. Derived from the English "film," the word is written in katakana, a system mainly used to transcribe foreign words, proper names, and technical terms. In Japanese, 「フィルム」 refers to various types of "film," such as photographic film, motion picture film, or even thin films of materials used in packaging and technology.

Etymologically, the term was adapted to fit Japanese phonology. The original structure "film" was transformed into 「フィルム」 to accommodate the need for vowels following consonants, as is characteristic of Japanese. The initial syllable "fi" was represented by 「フィ」 (fi), a specific katakana sound used to represent phonemes that do not exist in traditional Japanese. The rest of the word was transliterated as 「ルム」 (rumu), preserving the fluency and intelligibility of the term.

In everyday use, 「フィルム」 has different meanings depending on the context:

**Photographic film**: Referring to the films used in analog cameras, as in 「写真フィルム」 (shashin fyirumu), which means "photographic film".
**Cinematic film**: Used in the context of cinema, as in 「映画フィルム」 (eiga fyirumu), which means "film of cinema."
**Film or thin layer**: Used in technical areas, such as in the manufacturing of materials, where it can refer to plastic films or protective layers.

The introduction and use of 「フィルム」 in Japanese reflect the cultural and technological modernization of Japan, especially during the 20th century when photography and cinema became globally popular. Currently, although the digital age has reduced the use of traditional photographic films, the term remains widely recognized and used in various contexts.