¿puedo ver la televisión?
To say "can I watch tv?" in Spanish, use ¿puedo ver la televisión?
This phrase is used to request permission to watch television. While the verb puedo literally means "am I able to," in this context it is used to ask for permission, just like "can I" in English.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of puedo (from the verb poder, meaning "can" or "to be able to"), ver ("to watch") and la televisión ("the television").
Which one should you use?
You may also use ¿Podría ver televisión? to ask "Could I watch TV?", which is a more polite way to phrase the request. Alternatively, the informal version ¿Puedo ver la tele? is common in casual settings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Spanish-speaking regions, the verb mirar can be used instead of ver to mean "to watch".
How does it change in a sentence?
In common, everyday speech, you can shorten the word la televisión to la tele.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ver is a linguistic relative of the English word 'wise'. Both originate from an ancient root associated with the act of seeing or perceiving truth.
- The word televisión is a 'calque', which means it was created by translating the French word télévision word for word into Spanish.
- The shorthand la tele is used in Spanish not just to refer to the physical television set, but to the entire medium and experience of broadcast television.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo ver un poco de televisión?Can I watch a bit of TV?
Example conversation
Alejandro asks his mother for permission in the living room.
- AlejandroMamá, ¿puedo ver la televisión?Mom, can I watch TV?
- LucíaSí, pero solo por media hora, Alejandro.Yes, but only for half an hour, Alejandro.
- Alejandro¡Gracias, Lucía!Thanks, Lucía!
- LucíaDe nada, hijo.You're welcome, son.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, televisión, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
