ver la tele
/beɾ la tele/from spelling rules
To watch TV in Spanish is ver la tele.
This phrase is used when you are looking at a television screen to watch programs or movies. Although the verb ver literally means 'to see', it is the standard verb used when you want to say 'to watch' in the context of television programs.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a contraction of ver la televisión, where tele is a shortened form of televisión. It literally translates to 'to see the tele'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Ver la tele is an informal expression and is the most common way to say 'to watch TV' in casual conversation. The phrase mirar la tele is also an informal way to express the same idea.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some Latin American countries, people might use ver la tele to refer to watching TV informally. In Spain, both ver la tele and mirar la tele are the dominant expressions used in informal conversations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the feminine definite article la because tele (a shortened form of televisión) is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/beɾ la tele/
Did you know?
- The Spanish verb ver is a distant relative of the English words 'wit' and 'wise'. All four words share a common root meaning 'to see' or 'to know'.
- In Spanish, the verb ver is used for television, but for other types of focused watching, like a movie or a sports game, speakers may switch between ver and mirar depending on the region.
Examples in context
- Me gusta ver la tele.I like to watch TV.This sentence shows how to express a personal preference regarding ver la tele.Tatoeba #556594 by Shishir, translation #255108 by CK
- No me gusta ver la televisión.I don't like to watch TV.This sentence shows how to use ver la tele in a negative statement.Tatoeba #10191734 by Shishir, translation #13709858 by frpzzd
- ¿Te gustaría ver la televisión?Would you like to watch TV?This sentence shows how to use ver la tele to ask a question about a preference.Tatoeba #5020997 by don_ramon, translation #4030950 by CK
- Me gusta ver televisión para relajarme los fines de semana.I like to watch TV to relax on weekends.
- Hemos estado mirando televisión durante toda la tarde.We have been watching TV all afternoon.
- ¿Quieres venir a mi casa a ver la tele más tarde?Do you want to come to my place to watch TV later?
- Ayer pasé toda la tarde mirando la tele con mi hermano.Yesterday, I spent the whole afternoon watching TV with my brother.
- Yo veo televisiónI watch TV
- Ella mira la teleShe watches TV
- Nosotros vemos televisiónWe watch TV
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and Sofía are relaxing in their living room on a Friday evening.
- Javier¿Quieres ver la tele conmigo?Do you want to watch TV with me?
- SofíaSí, me encanta ver la tele.Yes, I love watching TV.
- JavierPodemos ver una película.We can watch a movie.
- SofíaBuena idea, Javier.Good idea, Javier.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries la, tele, ver, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
