How to Say “Turn on the Tv” in Spanish

By •
encender la televisión
/enθendeɾ la telebisjon/from spelling rules
To say "turn on the tv" in Spanish, you say encender la televisión.
This phrase is used to describe starting the operation of a television set, typically by pressing a button or using a remote. The verb encender means "to turn on".

Which one should you use?

While encender literally means to ignite or light, you can also use prender la televisión in many Latin American countries. Prender is a common synonym for encender when referring to electronic devices in much of Latin America.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In some countries, televisión is commonly replaced with televisor.

How does it change in a sentence?

If you want to give a command to "turn it (the TV) on" using the informal tú form, you use the imperative enciéndela.

Did you know?

  • The verb encender is related to the English word 'incense' because both come from the Latin root for 'to set on fire'.
  • In some Latin American countries, using prender instead of encender is so common that using the latter can sound overly formal or academic in a home setting.

Examples in context

  • Por favor, encienda la televisión.
    Please, turn on the TV.
  • Señor, por favor, prenda el televisor.
    Sir, please, turn on the TV.
  • Oye, enciende la tele que quiero ver el partido.
    Hey, turn on the TV, I want to watch the game.
  • Pon la tele, ¡está a punto de comenzar mi programa favorito!
    Put on the TV, my favorite show is about to start!
  • ¿Podría encender la televisión? Quiero ver las noticias del día.
    Could you turn on the TV? I want to watch the news.
  • Oye, ¿puedes encender la tele? Tengo ganas de ver una película.
    Hey, can you turn on the TV? I feel like watching a movie.
  • ¡Hola! ¿Podrías poner la tele para ver el partido juntos?
    Hi! Could you put on the TV so we can watch the game together?
  • Enciende el televisor, por favor.
    Turn on the TV, please.
  • Voy a encender la tele.
    I am going to turn on the TV.
  • ¿Puedes encender la televisión, por favor?
    Can you turn on the TV, please?
  • Ella quiere encender la televisión para ver las noticias.
    She wants to turn on the TV to watch the news.

Example conversation

Alejandro and María are in the living room.

  1. Alejandro

    ¿Me ayudas a encender la televisión?
    Can you help me turn on the TV?
  2. María

    Sí, el control remoto está aquí.
    Yes, the remote is here.
  3. Alejandro

    Gracias, María.
    Thanks, María.
  4. María

    De nada, Alejandro.
    You're welcome, Alejandro.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries encender, la, televisión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Carter Ricky
Carter RickyHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top