tele
/ˈtele/feminine
In Spanish, the phrase 'tv' can be translated as tele or tv.
Meaning: abbreviation for television (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tele | /ˈtele/ | feminine |
| tv | /teˈbe/ /teˈube/ |
feminine |
Both tele and tv are abbreviations for 'televisión' and are used to refer to the television.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both tele and tv are informal. tele is the most common, colloquial way to refer to the television in daily conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because tele is a feminine noun, you must use the feminine article la when referring to it.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtele/
Did you know?
- Spanish speakers often use the phrase estar en la tele to mean someone is famous, even if they are not currently appearing on a screen.
- The abbreviation tv is pronounced by spelling out the letters 't' and 'v' in Spanish, which sounds like te ve.
- The prefix tele- in 'televisión' shares a common ancestor with the English word 'telescope'. Both rely on the Ancient Greek root for 'far off' or 'distant'.
Examples in context
- No ves la tele.You don't watch TV.This sentence is useful for stating that someone does not watch tele.Tatoeba #10093123 by manufrutos, translation #10084808 by ddnktr
- Te vi en la tele.I saw you on TV.This sentence is useful for saying someone was seen on tele.Tatoeba #3525147 by cueyayotl, translation #2406193 by CK
- ¿Mary ve la tele?Does Mary watch TV?This sentence is useful for asking if Mary watches tele.Tatoeba #10093146 by manufrutos, translation #10084753 by ddnktr
- Voy a ver la tele ahora.I am going to watch TV now.
- ¿Qué dan en la TV esta noche?What's on TV tonight?
- 495 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are in the living room.
- JavierSofía, ¿quieres ver la tele?Sofía, do you want to watch TV?
- SofíaSí, Javier, pero no funciona la tele.Yes, Javier, but the TV is not working.
- JavierDéjame revisar la tele.Let me check the TV.
- SofíaGracias, eres muy amable.Thanks, you are very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tv” translations and entries tele, tv, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tele, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
