What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I watch the TV" because French requires the definite article la before télé.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The shortened form la télé is the most common way to say 'the TV' in everyday conversation, whereas la télévision is more formal. For a formal way to say "I watch TV shows," you can use Je visionne des émissions de télé. If you want to express that you are an avid viewer in a formal context, you can say Je suis un fervent téléspectateur.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Canada, you can use Je regarde la télévision and you might also hear the expression J'écoute la télé to mean "I listen to the TV".
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense je regarde covers both the English "I watch" (habitual) and "I am watching" (present continuous).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly omit the article and say "regarder télé", but in French, you must include la before télé.
When do people say it?
Slang and colloquial versions of this phrase exist: Je mate la télé. is a slang way to say "I watch TV", and Je regarde la téloche. is a colloquial way to say "I watch the telly".
Did you know?
- The slang verb mater used in Je mate la télé originally meant 'to watch someone with desire' or 'to ogle' before becoming a general term for watching TV.
- The French word for 'I', which is je, shares a common ancestor with the Latin word 'ego', which is where the English word 'egotistical' originates.
- French speakers use the word téléspectateur for a TV viewer, which combines the Greek root for 'far' and the Latin root for 'looking'.
Examples in context
- Je regarde la télé tous les soirs.I watch TV every evening.This example shows how to use je regarde la télé to describe a nightly habit.Tatoeba #12827215 by lbdx, translation #6355190 by CK
- Je regarde la télé toute la journée.I watch TV all day.This example shows how to use je regarde la télé to describe an action lasting all day.Tatoeba #12924552 by lbdx, translation #5141180 by CK
- Je regarde la télévision de temps en temps.I watch TV now and then.This example shows how to use je regarde la télé to describe an occasional activity.Tatoeba #678704 by Paiooooo, translation #264101 by CK
- J'adore regarder la téloche avant de dormir.I love watching the telly before going to bed.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are talking about their evening routine.
- ChloéTu fais quoi ce soir ?What are you doing tonight?
- GabrielJe regarde la télé pour me détendre.I watch TV to relax.
- ChloéEst-ce qu'il y a un bon film ?Is there a good movie on?
- GabrielOui, un film très intéressant.Yes, a very interesting movie.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, la, télé, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
