apaga la tele
/apaɡa la tele/from spelling rules
To turn off the tv in Spanish, you say apaga la tele.
This phrase is used to instruct someone to stop a television from operating, typically by using a switch or a remote control. The base verb used here is apagar, which means to turn off. To perform the opposite action, to turn on, you would use the verb encender.
Which one should you use?
Use apaga la tele when you are giving a direct command. If you want to make a statement rather than a command, for example, 'you turn off the tv', you would say apagas la tele instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form apaga la tele uses the informal imperative, also known as the tú command, for the verb apagar. If you are speaking to an adult or a stranger and wish to be polite, use apague la tele instead. If you are addressing more than one person at a time, use apaguen la tele.
How do you pronounce it?
/apaɡa la tele/
Did you know?
- The verb apagar originally referred to extinguishing a fire or a candle. Using it for electronics reflects the shift from flame-based light to electrical light.
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, people use quitar instead of apagar to say 'turn off' the tv, literally meaning 'to take away' the image or sound.
- The root of the word tele traces back to the Ancient Greek word τῆλε, which refers to 'distance' or 'far off', the same root found in 'telephone'.
Examples in context
- Es tarde, ¡apaga la tele!It's late. Turn off the TV.This sentence shows how to use apaga la tele when it is late.Tatoeba #5005655 by Mavry, translation #9701075 by DJ_Saidez
- Apaga la tele, porque es tarde.As it is late, turn off the TV.This sentence uses apaga la tele to give a reason for the command.Tatoeba #656067 by MondCivitano, translation #31197 by Dejo
- Apaga la televisión.Turn off the TV.This sentence demonstrates a full version of the phrase using apaga la tele.Tatoeba #574278 by Shishir, translation #39148 by CK
- Apague la televisión, por favor.Turn off the TV, please.
- ¿Puedes apagar la tele, por favor?Can you turn off the TV, please?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Elena are in the living room before bed.
- AlejandroYa es hora de dormir, apaga la tele.It is time to sleep, turn off the TV.
- ElenaSolo un minuto más, por favor.Just one more minute, please.
- AlejandroNo, apaga la tele ahora mismo.No, turn off the TV right now.
- ElenaEstá bien, ya la apago.Alright, I'm turning it off now.
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.
