Lael logo

rodar means to film / to roll — a common term in Mexican Slang. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: September 13, 2025

🌶️ Mexican Slang

rodar

verb • /[ro-DAR]/

to film / to roll

Example:

Van a rodar película.

They’re going to film a movie.

🔍 See more mexican slang words

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store

🧠 What does rodar mean?

In Mexican slang, "rodar" primarily means "to film" or "to shoot a film." It can also mean "to roll" in a more literal sense, like a ball rolling down a hill, but the film-related meaning is much more common. Think of it as the behind-the-scenes action of making a movie.

📚 Extra examples

  • Están rodando una nueva película en el centro.
    They are filming a new movie downtown.
  • Vamos a rodar algunas escenas en la playa mañana.
    We are going to shoot some scenes at the beach tomorrow.
  • La pelota rodó debajo del coche.
    The ball rolled under the car.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'to film / to roll' in Spanish?
The Spanish verb for 'to film' is commonly "filmar" or "grabar." "Rodar" is used in Mexican slang specifically for filming. "Rodar" also means 'to roll'.
How do you pronounce 'rodar' in Spanish?
It's pronounced roh-DAHR, with the emphasis on the second syllable.
How do you use 'rodar' in a sentence?
You could say, "Están rodando una película famosa" (They are filming a famous movie). Or, "La piedra rodó por la montaña" (The rock rolled down the mountain).
What is the English translation of 'rodar'?
In Mexican slang, it primarily means 'to film.' It can also mean 'to roll.'
Does 'rodar' change for gender or number?
Yes, like all Spanish verbs, 'rodar' conjugates to agree with the subject. For example, 'yo rodo' (I film), 'él rueda' (he films), 'ellos ruedan' (they film).
Is 'rodar' common in everyday Spanish?
While understood across the Spanish-speaking world, it's more common in Mexico when referring to filming. The general meaning of "to roll" is common.
Does 'rodar' have slang or double meanings?
In Mexico, "rodar" is slang for "to film." The meaning of "to roll" is not slang.
Is 'rodar' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While understood in Spain, using "rodar" for filming is much more common in Mexico. In other Latin American countries, "filmar" or "grabar" are generally preferred for "to film."
How do you conjugate 'rodar' in Spanish?
Here are some common conjugations: Yo rodo (I film/roll) Tú rodas (You film/roll) Él/Ella/Usted rueda (He/She/You formal film/roll) Nosotros/Nosotras rodamos (We film/roll) Vosotros/Vosotras rodáis (You all film/roll - Spain) Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes ruedan (They/You all film/roll)

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "rodar"

Synonyms: filmar, grabar

💡 Did You Know?

While "rodar" is common slang in Mexico for filming, you'll hear "filmar" and "grabar" used more frequently in other parts of the Spanish-speaking world.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store