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"Rodar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to roll", and "filmar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to film". Learn more about the difference between "rodar" and "filmar" below.
rodar(
rroh
-
dahr
)An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
1. (to spin)
a. to roll
El terremoto hizo que unas cuantas rocas rodaran montaña abajo bloqueándonos el camino.The earthquake made some rocks roll down the mountain blocking our way.
b. to go round
El autobús fue ganando velocidad a medida que rodaban las ruedas.The bus gained speed as the wheels went round.
c. to turn
Los copos de nieve flotaban lentamente, rodando al caer.The snowflakes floated slowly down, turning as they fell.
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
3. (film)
4. (automobile)
a. to break in (United States)
Regionalism used in the United States
Ya que tienes un Tesla nuevo, te toca rodarlo.Now that you have a Tesla, it's time to break it in.
b. to run in (United Kingdom)
Regionalism used in the United Kingdom
No puedo esperar a rodar mi nuevo carro.I can't wait to run in my new car.
filmar(
feel
-
mahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to film
Los actores usaron dobles cuando filmaron las escenas de acción de la película.The actors used stuntmen when they filmed the action scenes for the movie.
b. to shoot
El director de la película y los camarógrafos están en el estudio, listos para filmar la escena.The movie director and the cameramen are in the studio, ready to shoot the scene.
2. (to record)
a. to film
Cuando éramos chicos, mi papá tenía una videograbadora y filmaba todo lo que hacíamos.When we were little, my father owned a video recorder and would film everything we did.
