シネコン
Meaning: Cinema complex — a multiplex movie theatre with multiple screens, abbreviated from シネマコンプレックス.
シネコン is the standard abbreviation for シネマコンプレックス (multiplex cinema), referring to large movie theatres with many screens, typically found in shopping malls and entertainment complexes. Major chains like TOHO Cinemas, AEON Cinema, and United Cinemas are all referred to as シネコン. The term has become the default way to refer to modern multiplex cinemas, as opposed to older single-screen theatres.
Examples
- 駅前のシネコンで新作見ない? 去车站前面的影城看新片吧?¿Vamos a ver el último estreno en el multicine de la estación?역 앞 시네콘에서 신작 보지 않을래?
- シネコンのレイトショーが安くて好き。 影城的深夜场便宜,我很喜欢。Me gustan las sesiones nocturnas del multicine porque son más baratas.시네콘 심야 상영이 저렴해서 좋아.
- 昔ながらの映画館よりシネコンの方が設備いいよね。 比起老式电影院,还是影城的设施更好呢。Los multicines tienen mejores instalaciones que los cines antiguos de una sola sala, ¿no?옛날 영화관보다 시네콘이 시설이 좋지.
Pronunciation
/ɕi.ne.koɴ/
Usage Guide
Context: daily conversation, entertainment, friends, dating
Tone: casual, everyday
✓ Do Say
- シネコンのポイントカード持ってる? (Do you have a cinema multiplex loyalty card?)你有影城的积分卡吗?¿Tienes tarjeta de fidelidad del multicine?시네콘 포인트 카드 있어? (멀티플렉스 포인트 카드 갖고 있어?)
- 近くにシネコンできたから便利になった。 (A multiplex opened nearby so it's become convenient.)附近开了一家影城,方便多了。Han abierto un multicine cerca y ahora es mucho más cómodo.근처에 시네콘이 생겨서 편해졌어. (근처에 멀티플렉스가 생겨서 편리해졌어.)
✗ Don't Say
- ミニシアターを「シネコン」 (Don't call indie/arthouse cinemas シネコン — they are the opposite of multiplex culture)把独立艺术影院叫做'シネコン'(不要把独立/艺术院线叫做シネコン——它们与多厅影城的理念恰恰相反)No llames シネコン a los cines independientes o de autor — representan lo opuesto a la cultura de los multicines.미니시어터(독립 예술 영화관)를 '시네콘'이라고 부르는 것 (독립·예술 영화관은 멀티플렉스와 정반대 개념이므로 시네콘이라 부르지 말자)
Common Mistakes
- Confusing シネコン with individual cinema chains — シネコン is a generic term for any multiplex, not a specific brand
- Using the full シネマコンプレックス — almost nobody says the full form in conversation
Origin & History
Abbreviated from シネマコンプレックス (shinema konpurekkusu, 'cinema complex'). Became common as multiplex cinemas spread across Japan from the 1990s-2000s, replacing many traditional single-screen theatres.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s-2000s, as multiplexes replaced single-screen theatres
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across Japan. Major chains include TOHO Cinemas, AEON Cinema, and Movix.
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