What does it mean word for word?
The phrase me gusta ver la tele literally translates to "to me it is pleasing to see the TV".
Which one should you use?
The phrase me gusta ver la tele is the most common way to express this, whereas me gusta ver la televisión sounds slightly more complete or formal.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In informal settings, you can use me gusta ver la tele or Disfruto ver la tele to say you enjoy watching TV. Using the full word la televisión instead of the clipped la tele makes the phrase more formal, such as in me gusta ver la televisión or Disfruto ver la televisión.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people commonly use the verb ver instead of mirar to mean "to watch".
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the object of the liking is an action (watching), the verb ver must remain in its infinitive form.
How do you pronounce it?
/me ɡusta beɾ la tele/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid saying yo gusto ver la tele.
Did you know?
- The Spanish word ver is a distant relative of the English words 'wit' and 'wise', both tracing back to a root meaning 'to see'.
- While ver is used for watching TV in Spain, speakers in many Latin American countries prefer the verb mirar, which more closely aligns with the English word 'look'.
- If you want to say you love watching TV, you can use the verb encantar, but the sentence structure me encanta ver la tele remains exactly the same as with me gusta.
Examples in context
- Me gusta ver la tele.I like to watch TV.Tatoeba #556594 by Shishir, translation #255108 by CK
- A veces me gusta ver la tele por la tarde.Sometimes I like to watch TV in the afternoon.
- No, no me gusta ver la tele, prefiero leer.No, I don't like to watch TV, I prefer reading.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are relaxing in the living room on a Saturday.
- Alejandro¿Qué quieres hacer hoy, Elena?What do you want to do today, Elena?
- ElenaA mí me gusta ver la tele, ¿y a ti?I like to watch TV, what about you?
- AlejandroA mí también me gusta ver la tele.I like to watch TV too.
- Elena¡Perfecto! Vamos a buscar algo divertido.Perfect! Let's look for something fun.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, me, tele, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
