Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| téléviseur | /te.le.vi.zœʁ/ | masculine |
| télévision (fam.) | feminine | |
| télé | /te.le/ | feminine |
| poste de télévision | masculine | |
| poste | /pɔst/ | masculine |
In French, 'television' refers to the device used for receiving television signals. The most common and widely used term for 'television' is télévision. You can also use related phrases such as un programme télévisé for 'a television program', la télécommande for 'the remote control' and changer de chaîne to mean 'to change the channel'. To express the action of watching television, use the phrase regarder la télévision.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While télévision is the standard term, it is often shortened to the informal télé in everyday spoken French to refer to both the device and the medium. The term poste is a colloquial way to refer to the device, and poste de télévision is also a masculine option.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The shortened form télé is feminine and requires the definite article la (la télé).
How do you pronounce it?
/te.le.vi.zœʁ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to use the verb téléviser to mean 'to watch TV'. In French, téléviser actually means 'to broadcast' or 'to transmit'.
When do people say it?
You can use the phrase passer une soirée devant la télé to describe the act of spending an evening in front of the TV.
Did you know?
- The term télévision was first introduced to the world in a scientific paper read at the International World Fair in Paris in 1900.
- While télé is the most common casual term, calling the device le poste evokes a slightly more old-fashioned or nostalgic tone.
- The French term télécommande for 'remote control' literally translates to 'far command'.
Examples in context
- On regarde la télé.We watch television.Tatoeba #8701706 by Micsmithel, translation #3718223 by erdeniz
- Tom regarde la télé.Tom is watching television.Tatoeba #8701709 by Micsmithel, translation #2643960 by CK
- La télé ne marche pas.The television set isn't working.Tatoeba #2065962 by Amastan, translation #8981867 by sundown
- Je regarde la télévision tous les soirs.I watch television every evening.
- On se retrouve chez moi pour regarder la télé ce soir?Shall we meet at my place to watch TV tonight?
- Je vais allumer le poste de télévision pour regarder les nouvelles.I will turn on the television to watch the news.
- J'ai acheté un nouveau téléviseur pour notre salon.I bought a new television set for our living room.
- 277 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are in their living room deciding what to do.
- HugoEst-ce que ce téléviseur est trop vieux ?Is this television too old?
- ChloéNon, mais l'image est un peu floue.No, but the picture is a bit blurry.
- HugoJe vais acheter un nouveau téléviseur demain.I am going to buy a new television tomorrow.
- ChloéC'est une excellente idée, Hugo.That is an excellent idea, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “television” translations and entries téléviseur, télé, poste, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, poste, télé, téléviseur, télévision, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
