电视
diànshì
The Chinese word for TV is 电视 (diànshì).
电视 is an abbreviation for television. To express the action of watching TV, you use the phrase 看电视, combining the verb 看 (to watch/look) with the noun.
Meaning: abbreviation for television (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 电视 is composed of 电 (electric) and 视 (vision/sight), literally meaning "electric vision".
Which one should you use?
If you want to refer specifically to a television set, you can use the more formal term 电视机. If you are talking specifically about television dramas or series, use the term 电视剧.
How do you pronounce it?
diànshì
Did you know?
- The character 电 meaning 'electric' is a pictograph that originally depicted a bolt of lightning striking the ground.
- In modern slang, the term 刷 meaning 'to brush' is often used instead of 看 when describing the act of scrolling through short-form videos on a TV or mobile screen.
- While 电视 refers to the medium, the word 电 is also used in 电脑 for 'computer', which literally means 'electric brain'.
Examples in context
- 你有电视吗？Do you have a TV?This sentence is useful for asking if someone owns a 电视.Tatoeba #4913620 by khe, translation #2648849 by CK
- 我在看电视。I'm watching TV.This sentence is useful for describing the action of watching 电视.Tatoeba #10695997 by GlossaMatik, translation #2036345 by Dejo
- 我电视看腻了。I was tired of watching TV.This sentence is useful for expressing being tired of watching 电视.Tatoeba #11321700 by untruth0423, translation #255122 by CK
- 我喜欢看电视。I like to watch TV.
- 每天晚上我都会打开电视。I turn on the TV every evening.
- 我在商店买了一台电视机。I bought a television set from the store.
- 这台电视机很大。This television set is big.
- 今晚咱们一起看电视吧？Let's watch TV together tonight?
- 中午时间太热了，我们坐在电视前面看电视吧。It's too hot during noon time, let's sit in front of the TV and watch some TV.
- 我喜欢睇电视。I like to watch TV. (Cantonese)
- 睇下呢个电视。Watch this TV. (Cantonese)
- 88 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking in a living room.
- 浩然 Haoran你的电视很大。Nǐ de diànshì hěn dà.Your TV is very big.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是的，去年刚买的。Shì de, qùnián gāng mǎi de.Yes, I just bought it last year.
- 浩然 Haoran你想看电视吗？Nǐ xiǎng kàn diànshì ma?Do you want to watch TV?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好，我们一起看吧。Hǎo, wǒmen yīqǐ kàn ba.Okay, let's watch together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
