veo la tele
/beo la tele/from spelling rules
The English phrase "I watch tv" is translated into Spanish as veo la tele.
This phrase is used to state that you are viewing programs on a television set. In Spanish, the word tele is a common shortening of televisión.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, veo la tele means "I see the tele". It is a contraction of veo la televisión.
Which one should you use?
While English uses the verb "watch" to express this action, Spanish uses the verb ver (to see).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using the full word televisión instead of the shortened tele makes the phrase slightly more formal or complete. The forms Yo veo la tele and Yo miro la tele are both informal ways to say "I watch TV".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb veo is the first-person singular present indicative of ver, which means "to see" or "to watch".
Did you know?
- While veo la tele is common, the verb ver also means 'to understand' in certain contexts, similar to how an English speaker might say 'I see' when they grasp a concept.
- If you say veo la tele to a native speaker, they will know you are the one watching because the 'I' is built into the verb ending -o, making the word Yo unnecessary.
- The root of tele comes from the Greek word for 'far off', which is the same origin found in English words like 'telescope' and 'television'.
Examples in context
- Veo la tele de vez en cuando.I watch TV off and on.This sentence shows how to express watching TV occasionally using veo la tele.Tatoeba #1702022 by teskmon, translation #264106 by CK
- ¿Te importa si veo la tele un poco?Do you mind if I watch TV for a while?This sentence is useful for asking permission to watch TV using veo la tele.Tatoeba #755663 by darinmex, translation #267705 by CK
- Veo la tele después de hacer los deberes.I watch TV after I finish my homework.This sentence demonstrates using veo la tele to describe a routine after completing homework.Tatoeba #1908124 by topofabi, translation #258540 by CK
- Hola, soy Juan. Yo veo televisión todas las noches después del trabajo.Hello, I'm Juan. I watch TV every night after work.
- ¿Quieres salir esta tarde? No, estoy cansado. Voy a quedarme en casa y ver la tele.Do you want to go out this afternoon? No, I'm tired. I'm going to stay home and watch TV.
- Mi hermana y yo miramos la tele juntos para relajarnos.My sister and I watch TV together to relax.
- Me gusta ver televisión en mi tiempo libre.I like to watch TV in my free time.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are talking about their evening routines.
- AlejandroNormalmente leo un libro antes de dormir.Normally I read a book before sleeping.
- LucíaYo no leo, yo veo la tele.I don't read, I watch TV.
- Alejandro¿Qué programas ves, Lucía?What programs do you watch, Lucía?
- LucíaMe gustan las series de comedia.I like comedy series.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, tele, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
