going to do homework in spanish

How to Say “Do Homework” in Spanish

Learning how to say “do homework” in Spanish is essential for students who want to communicate effectively with their Spanish-speaking peers or educators. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to express this phrase, along with some tips, examples, and regional variations. Whether you’re a student or a parent helping with homework, let’s dive into the various ways to express this in Spanish!

Formal Ways to Say “Do Homework”

If you need to express “do homework” in a formal context, such as when speaking to your teacher or addressing someone of authority, you can use the following phrases:

• “Hacer la tarea” – This is the most common and neutral way to say “do homework” in Spanish. It is widely understood throughout the Spanish-speaking world. For example, you could say “Tengo que hacer la tarea” to mean “I have to do homework.”
• “Realizar las tareas” – This phrase is slightly more formal and can be used interchangeably with “hacer la tarea.” It emphasizes the completion of multiple tasks or assignments. For instance, you may say “Debes realizar las tareas diariamente” which translates to “You must do the homework daily.”
• “Cumplir con los deberes” – This expression is more commonly used in educational settings and emphasizes the responsibility of fulfilling academic duties. It is often used by teachers or educators when instructing students to do their homework. For example, a teacher may say “Deben cumplir con los deberes asignados” which means “You must complete the assigned homework.”

Informal Ways to Say “Do Homework”

If you are in a casual setting or speaking with a friend or classmate, you can use these informal phrases to say “do homework” in Spanish:

• “Hacer la tarea” – Although this phrase is also commonly used in formal settings, it is perfectly acceptable to use it informally with friends or peers. For example, you can say “Vamos a hacer la tarea juntos” which means “Let’s do homework together.”
• “Hacer los deberes” – This phrase is similar to “hacer la tarea” but may vary based on regional preferences. It is widely used in Spain and some Latin American countries. For instance, you may hear someone say “Voy a hacer los deberes ahora mismo” which translates to “I’m going to do the homework right now.”
• “Hacer las tareas” – Used primarily in Latin America, this variation emphasizes multiple tasks or assignments. For example, you may say “Ya hice las tareas” which means “I’ve already done the homework.”
• “Hacer los deberos escolares” – In certain regions, especially in Mexico, this phrase is specifically used to refer to school-related homework. It emphasizes the connection between school and homework. For instance, you could say “No puedo salir, tengo que hacer los deberes escolares” which means “I can’t go out, I have to do my school homework.”

Regional Variations

While the phrases mentioned above are widely understood, it is important to note that Spanish may vary from region to region. Different countries or even different regions within the same country may have their own expressions for “do homework.” Here are a few examples of regional variations:

In Argentina: “Hacer los deberes” or “Hacer la tarea” In Colombia: “Hacer la tarea” or “Hacer los deberes escolares” In Chile: “Hacer las tareas” or “Hacer los quehaceres escolares” In Mexico: “Hacer la tarea”, “Hacer las tareas” or “Hacer los deberes escolares”

Remember, while these regional variations exist, you can still be easily understood using the standard expressions mentioned earlier.

Tips for Learning and Using the Phrases

To effectively learn and use these phrases, consider the following tips:

• Practice with flashcards: Create flashcards with the Spanish phrases on one side and their English translations on the other. Review them regularly to reinforce your learning.
• Use the phrases in context: Incorporate the phrases into sentences or conversation. This will help you remember them in real-life situations.
• Listen to native speakers: Listen to Spanish speakers using these phrases in natural conversations or educational contexts. This will help you grasp their pronunciation, intonation, and usage.
• Watch Spanish educational videos: Online platforms such as YouTube offer educational videos in Spanish. Watching these can familiarize you with different ways of saying “do homework” and reinforce your understanding.
• Practice speaking with a language partner: Find a language partner who can help you practice speaking in Spanish. Use the phrases during your conversations to improve your fluency.

By following these tips, you will gain confidence in using the phrases and be able to communicate effectively in Spanish when discussing homework.

Mastering how to say “do homework” in Spanish is essential for effective communication, especially in educational settings. In this guide, we explored formal and informal ways of expressing this phrase, along with regional variations. Remember to tailor your choice of phrase based on the context and the level of formality required.

Whether you choose to say “hacer la tarea” in a casual setting or “cumplir con los deberes” in a formal environment, practicing and incorporating these phrases into your language learning journey will help you confidently navigate homework discussions with Spanish speakers. ¡Buena suerte!

Related Posts

How to Say a Little Spanish in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you interested in learning how to express the idea of "a little Spanish" in the Spanish language? Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate learner, this guide will provide you with various ways to convey this concept in both formal and informal settings. Throughout this article, we'll explore tips, examples, and even some regional variations, if necessary. So, let's dive in and enhance your Spanish language skills!

How to Say "A Spanish Book" in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Bienvenidos! If you're looking to learn different ways to say "a Spanish book" in Spanish, you've come to the right place. Whether you want to express it formally or informally, this guide will provide you with various options to choose from. We'll also touch upon regional variations, but only when necessary. Let's dive in!

How to Say a Spanish Restaurant in Spanish

Welcome to our guide on how to say a Spanish restaurant in Spanish! Whether you are traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or simply want to expand your language skills, knowing how to describe a Spanish restaurant will certainly come in handy. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to refer to a Spanish restaurant, as well as provide tips, examples, and regional variations. So, let's dive in!

How to Say "Does Anyone Speak Spanish?" in Spanish: Formal and Informal Ways

Learning how to ask if someone speaks Spanish in Spanish is a useful phrase to have in your arsenal when traveling to a Spanish-speaking country or simply trying to communicate with Spanish speakers. In this guide, we will explore both formal and informal ways to ask, as well as provide you with some helpful tips and examples.

How to Say "Are You Spanish" in Spanish

Greetings! If you're interested in learning how to ask someone if they are Spanish in the Spanish language, you've come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both the formal and informal ways of asking this question. While regional variations exist, we will focus on the more universally understood phrases. Let's dive in!

How to Say "Are You Spanish?" in Spanish

Greetings! If you're interested in learning how to ask someone if they are Spanish in Spanish, you've come to the right place. In this guide, we'll explore both the formal and informal ways to ask this question, along with some regional variations. Whether you're planning a trip to a Spanish-speaking country or simply expanding your language skills, these phrases will come in handy. So, without further ado, let's delve into the fascinating world of the Spanish language!

How to Say Broken Spanish in Spanish: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to learn how to say "broken Spanish" in Spanish? Whether you want to express your limitations in Spanish or simply describe language skills in a more nuanced way, this guide will provide you with various formal and informal phrases to convey the idea of "broken Spanish." We'll also discuss regional variations when necessary to help you develop a comprehensive understanding. Let's get started!

How to Say "Can You Speak Spanish?" in Spanish

If you're planning to visit a Spanish-speaking country or want to engage in a conversation with a Spanish speaker, it can be useful to know how to ask if someone can speak Spanish. In this guide, we'll explore the different ways to say "Can you speak Spanish?" in Spanish, both formally and informally. We'll also include some regional variations, if necessary. Let's dive in!

Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Arabic Cantonese Chinese Dutch English Farsi Filipino French German Greek Hawaiian Hebrew Hindi Irish Italian Japan Japanese Korean Latin Mandarin Mexican Navajo Norwegian Polish Portuguese Punjabi Romanian Russian Sanskrit Sign Language Spanish Swahili Swedish Tagalog Tamil Thai Turkish Ukrainian Urdu Vietnamese

• Privacy Policy

Spanish translation of 'homework'

Examples of 'homework' in a sentence homework

Trends of homework

View usage over: Since Exist Last 10 years Last 50 years Last 100 years Last 300 years

Browse alphabetically homework

• homeward journey
• homework club
• homeworking
• All ENGLISH words that begin with 'H'

Related terms of homework

• he’s having terrible trouble with his homework
• The lesson itself was easy, but the homework was very difficult.
• he galloped through his homework
• watch he does his homework
• View more related words

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Score: 0 / 5

Wordle Helper

Scrabble Tools

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

7 Invaluable Spanish Homework Help Resources for Succeeding in Your Class

Homework is extremely important for reviewing the day’s work, preparing for upcoming classwork, practicing grammar and memorizing vocabulary. 

And it doesn’t have to be a drag, especially when it comes to Spanish learning.

Best for Homework Questions: Course Hero

Best for spanish immersion: fluentu, best for tutoring with detailed feedback: verbalplanet, best for personalized online tutoring: live lingua, best for talking to native speakers: hinative, best for crowdsourced study resources: chegg, best for in-person tutoring: wyzant.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

Summary: Course Hero is a superb option if you only have a quick question about an assignment or need clarification on one subject.

Course Hero puts hundreds of potential tutors from all across the globe at your fingertips in their “Spanish Homework Help” section . Some speak only Spanish while some speak English and other languages, too. On this site, they’re here to help answer specific tricky questions you might have.

I know what you’re wondering. With so many tutors, how can you choose the “right” one?

Luckily, the site makes the process a snap. Just type your homework question into the box on the page (there’s even an FAQ section , so if you’re not sure how to form a question or complete any of the other steps, just peek there), assign a price you’re willing to pay for the help and wait.

Generally, the response time is just a few minutes , and you may get more than one reply. Choose your tutor, come to terms and begin! Course Hero guarantees satisfaction with the exchange, so if you’re not totally content with how things are going, you can contact them for help.

Summary: FluentU helps you practice Spanish through advanced tools like a multimedia dictionary and comprehensive flashcards. 

FluentU is an excellent resource for Spanish homework help because it allows you to see various grammatical concepts and vocabulary in natural contexts.

The program offers short video clips from authentic Spanish media —movie trailers, music videos, news segments and more—complete with learning tools like interactive subtitles, flashcards and personalized vocabulary quizzes. 

You can easily search for content based on whatever grammar or vocabulary point you’re studying in class or a self-guided language course. Or, if you just want to boost your comprehension and learn common words and phrases, you can choose videos based on your skill level and interests. 

The program makes picking up new vocabulary easy and enjoyable, and since you’ll be consuming content made by and for native speakers, you’ll learn the language as it’s actually used in real life. 

Summary: Verbalplanet is an online tutoring platform that gives you feedback about your speaking, listening, writing and reading skills.

Verbalplanet offers interactive Spanish language classes through video call . It’s free to sign up and create a profile.

You can look through several pages of tutors . Each tutor profile is personalized with a photograph, number of lessons taught, student ratings and per-session prices.

There’s a good range of pricing options, so if that’s important (and it definitely is!), take the time to look at multiple tutors before deciding on an initial contact. Most tutors offer discounts for trial sessions, so keep that in mind, too.

To set up a tutorial arrangement, send a message to the tutor you’ve chosen and book your sessions. It’s that easy!

Again, if you’re looking to get grammar details down or clarification on a particular topic, this might be a way to untangle those homework issues.

Summary: Live Lingua offers personalized one-on-one language lessons online with native Spanish tutors.

With teachers from around the world, Live Lingua is a super way to get pronunciation subtleties nailed down. When you sign up, you’re able to participate in a free class , so choosing a tutor who’s compatible with your learning style or someone you feel is competent to address your homework issues is more possible than ever.

The tutors on here have teaching credentials and are able to customize learning to suit individual needs. Choosing a tutor is just a matter of checking into each tutor’s experience, degrees and teaching philosophy—and since each tutor has a personalized introduction page, this is much less time-consuming than it sounds.

I was able to check out several tutors, compare their strengths and assess my personal criteria to locate a tutor in less than an hour. Live Lingua provides enough options that it’s not hard to find someone who’s able to provide the help you need.

This resource may be appealing to those who don’t want to wait for a particular homework snag to come up. Rather, you can start on a personalized program geared towards addressing individual issues as they arise, which definitely should make homework less stressful!

Summary: HiNative allows you to ask questions about a language and get replies from native speakers.  

HiNative doesn’t provide one-on-one tutorial assistance but it does offer individualized Spanish language support. This is a global Q&A forum where native speakers are available to assist with almost any language issue and correct or assess material. They’re able to give feedback on writing assignments , including blog posts and creative writing.

From the simplest of questions to the most complicated grammar snafus, your homework issues are solvable here if you just wait for the right person to come along.

Ask the question, get your answer. All homework help should be so clear-cut, right?

One of the best parts is that this global homework help is completely free!

So no need to wonder if you’ll ever understand how to conjugate irregular verbs. There’s an answer for every question here, and most are from very reliable sources.

For more on HiNative, here’s an in-depth review .

Summary:  Chegg features comprehensive resources made by students, such as flashcards, notes and study guides. 

Chegg is a crowdsourced study library .

The first time I read that I wondered what exactly constitutes a “crowdsourced study library” and, more importantly, how such a thing could be applied to the homework grind.

I’m so glad I found out! Chegg is a resource made by and for students, with materials like exam prep materials and textbook explanations . Millions of students know about Chegg and are using the materials to learn not only languages like Spanish but other subjects as well.

This is an efficient resource for researching your homework problem to find an answer from someone who at one time probably had the same exact question you’re dealing with now! Researching to find homework help is also a great way to discover other Spanish cultural or language interests.

Honestly, every time I research one topic I find tangents that inspire or teach me. Expanding your inspiration for Spanish learning while getting your homework done? What’s not to love?

Summary: Wyzant allows you to connect with in-person Spanish tutors near your area along with online tutors. 

Look for local resources to get the job done. You can leave a “Spanish tutor wanted” flyer on message boards near your home, but you can also try out Wyzant, where you can find hundreds of Spanish language tutors .

The process is simple: Indicate your Spanish language needs, make a match with a tutor and schedule a lesson. You can even search for Spanish tutors near you by zip code and check their educational background, how much they charge and see reviews by other students.

The largest community of professional tutors is at your fingertips, and in many cases they’re in your neighborhood!

There are so many resources to help turn your homework woes into successes that singing the homework blues isn’t necessary.

Explore your options, choose the ones that fit your needs and do the work.

Be a Spanish homework winner!

Enter your e-mail address to get your free PDF!

We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe

How to say Homework in Spanish?

What does Tarea mean in English? Spanish translations and examples in context.

Homework is translated in Spanish by...

Example Sentences with Sound Clips.

More Example Sentences.

LOAD MORE EXAMPLES

View more spanish words.

Spanish to Go

I Did My Homework in Spanish

1. To say “I did my homework” in Spanish, you can use the phrase “Hice mi tarea”. 2. “Hice” is the past tense conjugation of the verb “hacer” which means “to do” or “to make”. 3. “Mi tarea” means “my homework”. 4. So, “Hice mi tarea” is a simple and common way to express that you completed your homework in Spanish.

Achieving Academic Success: Completing Homework in Spanish

Completing homework assignments is an essential part of academic success. It demonstrates responsibility, reinforces learning, and helps students develop valuable skills. If you want to express that you have completed your homework in Spanish, it’s important to know the appropriate phrases and vocabulary to convey this accomplishment effectively. In this article, we will explore how to say “I did my homework” in Spanish and provide you with useful phrases to express your completion of assignments.

Saying “I Did My Homework” in Spanish

To express the idea of completing your homework in Spanish, you can use the phrase “Hice mi tarea” or “Terminé mi tarea.” Both phrases convey the notion of finishing your homework. “Hice” means “I did” or “I completed,” “mi” means “my,” and “tarea” means “homework.” Alternatively, “terminé” means “I finished” and can be used interchangeably with “hice.”

Examples of Usage

Let’s look at a few examples to better understand how to use these phrases:1. Person A: ¿Terminaste tu tarea de matemáticas? Person B: Sí, hice mi tarea. (Did you finish your math homework? Person B: Yes, I did my homework.)2. Person A: ¿Ya hiciste la tarea de historia? Person B: Sí, terminé mi tarea de historia. (Did you already do the history homework? Person B: Yes, I finished my homework.)3. Person A: ¿Hiciste tus deberes a tiempo? Person B: Sí, hice mi tarea a tiempo. (Did you do your homework on time? Person B: Yes, I did my homework on time.)By using these phrases, you can effectively express that you have completed your homework in Spanish.

Alternative Phrases

If you want to convey a similar idea but with slightly different wording, here are a few alternative phrases you can use:1. Completé mi tarea. – I completed my homework.2. Realicé mi tarea. – I carried out my homework.3. Termine con mis deberes. – I finished with my assignments.These alternatives provide variation in expressing the completion of your homework while conveying the same basic idea.

Completing homework assignments is a vital aspect of academic success. By using phrases like “Hice mi tarea” or “Terminé mi tarea,” you can express that you have done your homework in Spanish. Practice using these phrases in different contexts to become more comfortable with their usage. Additionally, familiarize yourself with alternative expressions to enhance your ability to express your completion of assignments accurately. Clear communication about completing homework contributes to academic progress and fosters a positive learning environment. I Ll See You There in Spanish I Ll Call You Later in Spanish

I Curse You in Spanish

Practice your Spanish skills with basic quizzes. Test yourself and improve your knowledge with free questions. Enjoy basic quizzes with illustrations and more.

Basic Quizzes

Start learning basic Spanish vocabulary with words and phrases, with pictures, videos, and audio. Study basic terms in Spanish like a professional.

Basic Spanish

What are the most popular conjugated verbs in Spanish? Learn the conjugation of Spanish verbs. Study Spanish verb tenses with online lessons and examples. Find out which are the most popular verbs.

Conjugated Verbs in Spanish

Do you think you know about conjugations in Spanish? Practice your Spanish skills with conjugation quizzes. Improve your knowledge with free lessons and quizzes.

Conjugation Quizzes

Learn the Spanish words and phrases with flipbooks. Flip to learn the basic Spanish vocabulary online for free. Study the Spanish language by using a flipbook, choose your favorite ebooks, and flip.

Learn basic Spanish with flashcards. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Spanish Flashcards

Learn basic Spanish verbs with flip cards. Touch and flip. Study Spanish online with helpful lessons and articles including pictures, audio, and more.

Spanish Flip Cards

Learn Spanish for advanced level. Start learning Spanish words and phrases with free online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Spanish for Advanced

Spanish words that start with . Start learning Spanish words and phrases with online lessons, and helpful articles. Study some Spanish terms and their rules. Learn the second language like a pro.

Spanish Words that Start with

Learn Spanish for intermediate level. Study the Spanish grammar rulers. Enjoy helpful tips about how to use the Spanish grammar.

Spanish for Intermediate

NBA mock draft 2024 roundup: Detroit Pistons will have homework to do if they win lottery

T he Detroit Pistons ' historic losing season is mercifully over, which means it's time to check out some NBA mock drafts. It's a bit complicated right now, as the Pistons will be hiring a president of basketball operations to take over the franchise. We don't know the person's assessment of the roster or preferences in the draft.

We do know the new lead executive will have the flexibility of a guaranteed top-five pick in the 2024 NBA draft, which launched a new two-day format on June 26-27 .

The Pistons, for the second season in a row, finished with the league's worst record, giving them a 14% chance to win the May 12 lottery in Chicago. The Washington Wizards also have a 14% chance, and Portland, Charlotte and San Antonio each have at least a 10% chance.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

This is deemed a weaker draft at the top, and much more wide open than usual, with no clear No. 1 prospect.

If the Pistons win the top pick for the second time in four seasons, here's a look at who they might take from numerous expert NBA mock drafts:

USA TODAY : Alex Sarr, PF/C, Perth (Australia)

Vitals: 7 feet 1, 216 pounds; turns 19 on Thursday.

Buzz: This draft lacks a superstar prospect according to the industry, but Sarr, from France, might have the highest ceiling due to his raw talent at his size, and movement skills.

Sarr spent this past season in Australia's top pro league, where he averaged 9.4 points on 52% shooting, 4.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists, one turnover and 1.5 blocks over 17.3 minutes per game in 27 games. He shot 29% on 3s (1.8 attempts per game) and 71% on free throws (2.6 attempts per game) as an 18-year-old.

Jeff Zillgitt , USA TODAY Sports' NBA expert: "A strong defender and shot-blocker who plays with force on both ends; has good hands, uses his body well and though he doesn’t have the prettiest shot, he gets it to go in."

TRENDING: Ranking Pistons roster from most-to-least likely to return for 2024-25 season

ESPN : Zaccharie Risacher, SF, JL Bourg (France)

Vitals: 6-8, 200; turned 19 on April 8.

Buzz: Risacher is another French teenager playing professionally overseas; he's in the LNB Élite, France's top league. He looks like a prototypical 3-and-D prospect, with movement shooting, long strides in transition and good instincts as an off-ball defender. Averaging 10.9 points and shooting 42.7% on 3s across 43 games this season in EuroCup and league play.

Jonathan Givony, ESPN draft expert: "The Pistons are the NBA's worst 3-point shooting team while ranking among the league's worst defenses, meaning they could very well be attracted to the combination of perimeter shooting, defensive versatility and youth Risacher offers. He's having an extremely productive season competing at a very high level of competition for Bourg, guarding every position from 1 to 4 while making 39% of his 3-pointers through 60 games, despite being in a late-season slump."

Bleacher Report : Sarr

Jonathan Wasserman, B/R draft expert: "They're gonna cast a wide net here at No. 1 because there is no consensus guy. To me, I think they take Sarr because he kinda has the best mix of balance of a high floor, a high upside, a decent fit with everything they have. I think he can play some power forward because of the perimeter skill set that he has flashed in Australia. He's got a decent looking catch-and-shoot 3-ball, he actually shot a really impressive clip on pull-ups, so he's got some perimeter skills. ... But obviously the draw to Sarr is his defensive upside; can get in his stance around the perimeter, really slide with guards and wings, and then be a rim protector. ... You look at him and see this monster defensive upside, you see this potential offensive versatility as a guy who could play the 4 next to Jalen Duren."

NAMES TO WATCH: 5 candidates Pistons could consider for president of basketball operations

CBS Sports : Risacher 

Kyle Boone, CBS college basketball/NBA expert: "Risacher has struggled of late after starting the season hot, in particular cooling after showing improvement as a shooter. But as we sit here now I'd still project him to be the first pick because of his long-term upside. Wings at 6-9 who can handle and shoot with ease the way he can don't slip far."

Sporting News : Sarr

Kyle Irving, S/N NBA expert: "Even though the Pistons already have a bruising young center in Jalen Duren, there isn't enough talent on the roster to be drafting for fit. Sarr would give Detroit a high-energy rim protector with more length. The 7-foot center is an athletic and powerful shot-blocking big with budding offensive skills who held his own playing professionally in Australia's NBL overseas."

Fox Sports : Sarr

Jason McIntyre, Fox co-host of "The Herd" and sports betting analyst: "Sarr is another athletic big man from France with perimeter skills. No, he's not Wemby. Sarr only played 17 minutes per game in the NBL as an 18-year-old, but he projects as a Jaren Jackson-type talent at both ends."

[ MUST LISTEN:  Make  "The Pistons Pulse"  your go-to Detroit Pistons podcast, available anywhere you listen to podcasts ( Apple ,  Spotify ) or watch live/on demand on  YouTube . ]

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NBA mock draft 2024 roundup: Detroit Pistons will have homework to do if they win lottery

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Pop Culture Happy Hour

• Performing Arts

Pop Culture

You know it when you see it: here are some movies that got sex scenes right.

Linda Holmes

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist. Niko Tavernise/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures hide caption

It is a happy coincidence that our "What makes a good sex scene?" episode came out in the same week as Challengers, a film about a romance triangle in the tennis world starring Josh O'Connor, Zendaya and (not pictured) Mike Faist.

What makes a good sex scene? It can be easier spot bad sex, but Aisha Harris, Christina Tucker, Ronald Young, Jr. and I tried to focus on the good this week on Pop Culture Happy Hour. You can listen to our full conversation here. (We didn't originally plan for this episode to run the same week as our episode about Challengers , which is out in theaters now, but it's a happy coincidence, since that film has gotten a lot of attention — probably too much, relative to its other merits — for the sex scenes involving its three leads. It's really very good .)

Movie Reviews

Watch a tense romantic triangle play out on the tennis court in 'challengers'.

It's often very obvious when a sex scene is bad, just like when a sex scene in a book is bad. It can get so uncomfortable to watch that you have to leave the room (and not in a way that feels true to the story). One of my personal tells for a bad sex scene is when all I can think about is how hard the actors are trying to persuade me that the characters are having a good time. For example, there has been much good discussion in recent years about Showgirls being a more interesting and competent project than it originally got credit for, but in that one pool scene (if you know it, you know it), all I can see is the effort.

Lauren Bacall And The 'Sex? What Sex?' Kind Of Movie Sex

It's not always as clear which scenes are good . That's partly because they serve so many different functions, all of which look different, and all of which can be effective. Furthermore, you don't want to confuse whether a sex scene is used well in a film with whether it's hot to you personally, despite the fact that there is overlap between those considerations.

In the 'Last Dance,' Magic Mike leaves his thong-and-dance routine behind

Here's what I mean: When Aisha talks about the sequence near the beginning of Magic Mike's Last Dance , it's not irrelevant that the scene is, to her (and to me), hot. But it also makes sense in the context of the film and the franchise, partly because of the way it sets up the power dynamic between Mike (Channing Tatum) and Max (Salma Hayek Pinault). Mike is older now, he knows more, and the way he approaches a lap dance is actually different than in earlier movies.

And not all good sex scenes are hot in the same ways. The one I mentioned in the episode, from the romantic drama Love & Basketball , is sexy, yes. But it's also a scene between young adults (the talented basketball players Monica and Quincy, played by Sanaa Lathan and Omar Epps), and as such, it incorporates a tentativeness that's not present in Magic Mike's Last Dance , to say the least. As Ronald pointed out during our discussion, that sex scene is quite different from one that takes place later in Monica and Quincy's relationship, when they're older and know each other better. That certainly feels true to real life, but it's not always reflected in Hollywood films, where I would tentatively estimate that 90% of on-screen sex is more idealized and thus less intimate than real-life sex, in part because it isn't allowed to change over the course of a relationship.

Movie Interviews

'like it or not, we live in oppenheimer's world,' says director christopher nolan.

Even further from the hotness of the lap dance scene is Ronald's pick: the imagination of Kitty Oppenheimer (Emily Blunt) running wild in Oppenheimer. While her husband (Cillian Murphy) is being interrogated, she pictures him having sex with his mistress, Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh). It goes by quickly enough that it might seem like a Christopher Nolan flourish for flourish's sake, but it serves the purpose of letting you feel her pain over her husband's affair. Her relationship with Robert doesn't look especially romantic in the film, let alone sexually charged; she finds herself consumed by the idea that he was having hot sex with this other woman, and she locks eyes with her vision of a naked Tatlock and finds herself tormented. It's not really the intent of the scene to titillate the audience, just to give specificity to the shape of Kitty's preoccupation with the affair.

What makes a good sex scene?

Christina raised another really important point, which is that sex scenes also collide with viewers at very specific moments. Her example from Bound , and the scenes between Violet (Jennifer Tilly) and Corky (Gina Gershon), touches on (among other things) her own history. It's an underappreciated aspect of the sex-in-movies discourse: representation matters in these scenes as much as anywhere else. I always wish I saw more sex scenes in movies that featured a broader variety of body types; it's still really rare to see ones that feature anybody who is even average sized. This is one of the reasons I'm curious about the upcoming season of Bridgerton , which places its focus on the gorgeous and curvaceous Penelope (Nicola Coughlan).

Looking for 'nomance': Study finds teens want less sex in their TV and movies

Good sex scenes are like any other kind of good filmmaking, honestly: it comes down to execution with purpose and care, done relative to whatever the function of the scene might be.

Whether that's spiciness or conflict or relationship growth or (as in the case of Bound ) setting up a steamy neo-noir story that wouldn't be the same if it weren't hot as heck, form follows function, ideally.

This piece also appeared in NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter so you don't miss the next one, plus get weekly recommendations about what's making us happy.

Listen to Pop Culture Happy Hour on Apple Podcasts and Spotify .

do your homework

• Pronunciation

THE BEST SPANISH-ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Get more than a translation, written by experts, translate with confidence, spanish and english example sentences, examples for everything, regional translations, say it like a local.

Making educational experiences better for everyone.

Immersive learning for 25 languages

Marketplace for millions of educator-created resources

Fast, easy, reliable language certification

Fun educational games for kids

Comprehensive K-12 personalized learning

Trusted tutors for 300+ subjects

35,000+ worksheets, games, and lesson plans

Adaptive learning for English vocabulary