テレビ
terebi[te̞ɾe̞bʲi]
In Japanese, the word for TV is テレビ (terebi). Wiktionary also lists テレビジョン (terebijon).
Meaning: abbreviation for television (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| テレビ | terebi | [te̞ɾe̞bʲi] (narrow) |
| テレビジョン | terebijon | [te̞ɾe̞bʲiʑõ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
Related terms include テレビ番組 (television program), テレビチャンネル (TV channel) and 画面 (TV screen). You might also use リモコン for a remote control or ニュース when referring to the news.
Which one should you use?
テレビ is the standard everyday word used in most situations. In contrast, テレビジョン is the full, formal term reserved for technical or academic contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, the word denki is sometimes used instead of terebi.
How do you pronounce it?
terebi
Did you know?
- Japanese speakers use the word ザッピング to describe channel surfing, a loanword that does not translate literally to 'surfing'.
- The term テレビ受像機 is used in legal or insurance documents to specify the 'television receiver' as a physical object.
- The word テレビ is a perfect example of 'gairaigo', or loanwords, which are often shortened to fit Japanese phonetic patterns. While the original English is long, Japanese speakers instinctively lopped off the end to create a more rhythmic, three-syllable word.
Examples in context
- テレビをつけて。Turn on the TV.This example shows how to use テレビ when asking to turn the device on.Tatoeba #201970 by small_snow, translation #1180903 by treskro3
- テレビみようよ。Let's watch TV.This sentence uses テレビ to suggest watching television together.Tatoeba #201975 by bunbuku, translation #39186 by CK
- テレビ見てるの？Are you watching TV?This is a way to ask someone if they are currently watching テレビ.Tatoeba #8748192 by bunbuku, translation #6532314 by CK
- 今日はテレビを見ます。Today, I will watch TV.
- テレビが壊れた。The TV is broken.
- テレビを買いたいです。I want to buy a TV.
- 416 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Misaki and Ren are in the living room.
- 美咲 Misaki蓮くん、テレビの音を下げてくれる？Ren-kun, terebi no oto o sagete kureru?Ren, can you turn down the TV volume?
- 蓮 Renごめん、美咲。今下げるね。Gomen, Misaki. Ima sageru ne.Sorry, Misaki. I'll turn it down now.
- 美咲 Misakiありがとう。ちょっとうるさかったから。Arigatou. Chotto urusakatta kara.Thanks. It was a bit loud.
- 蓮 Ren了解。次は静かにするよ。Ryoukai. Tsugi wa shizuka ni suru yo.Understood. I'll be quiet next time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tv” translations and entries テレビ, テレビジョン, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
