go to the cinema
/ɡoʊ tə ðə ˈsɪnəmə/
Meaning
This phrase means to visit a movie theater to watch a film on a large screen. It is the standard British English expression, whereas American English speakers are more likely to say 'go to the movies' or 'go to the theater.'
Examples
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We decided to go to the cinema to see the new action film.
We decided to go to the cinema to see the new action film.
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How often do you go to the cinema these days?
How often do you go to the cinema these days?
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It is much more expensive to go to the cinema than to stream films at home.
It is much more expensive to go to the cinema than to stream films at home.
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They love to go to the cinema on Friday nights.
They love to go to the cinema on Friday nights.
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I rarely go to the cinema because I prefer my home setup.
I rarely go to the cinema because I prefer my home setup.
Common Mistakes
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✗ Let's go to cinema this weekend.
✓ Let's go to the cinema this weekend.
You must include the definite article 'the' in this phrase ('go to the cinema').
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✗ We went to a cinema to watch the premiere.
✓ We went to the cinema to watch the premiere.
Even if you don't specify which theater, the idiomatic expression for the activity of movie-going is 'go to the cinema'.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Do you want to ___ or just watch something on TV?
💡 Visit a movie theater
Show answer
go to the cinema
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We used to ___ every weekend when tickets were cheaper.
💡 Go out to watch films
Show answer
go to the cinema