estoy viendo la televisión
/estoi bjendo la telebisjon/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I am watching tv" is translated into Spanish as estoy viendo la televisión.
This is a statement used to say that you are currently viewing a television program.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase estoy viendo is composed of the verb estar (to be) and the gerund viendo (seeing/watching).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase estoy viendo la televisión uses the present continuous to emphasize that the action is happening right now.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use mirar (to look/watch) instead of ver (to see/watch), but ver la televisión is the more natural way to express watching a program.
Did you know?
- The word televisión is a 'calque', meaning it was modeled directly after the French word télévision rather than being invented from original Spanish roots.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people might drop the article and simply say estoy viendo tele in casual conversation, much like an English speaker might say 'watching TV'.
Examples in context
- Estoy viendo la tele.I am watching TV.
- Ahora mismo estoy viendo la televisión.Right now I am watching TV.
- No puedo hablar porque estoy viendo la televisión.I cannot talk because I am watching TV.
- Estoy viendo la televisión en la sala.I am watching TV in the living room.
Example conversation
Daniel calls Lucía on the phone to ask her to go out.
- Daniel¿Qué haces, Lucía?What are you doing, Lucía?
- LucíaNo hago nada especial, estoy viendo la televisión.I am not doing anything special, I am watching TV.
- Daniel¿Quieres salir a caminar conmigo?Do you want to go for a walk with me?
- LucíaSí, espera un momento.Yes, wait a moment.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, televisión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
