programa de televisión
/pɾoˌɡɾama de telebiˈsjon/
The English phrase "tv show" is translated into Spanish as programa de televisión.
The term refers to a program or a series of programs broadcast on a television.
Which one should you use?
Use serie de televisión specifically when referring to a scripted drama or comedy series rather than a general program like a news broadcast or talk show.
How do you pronounce it?
/pɾoˌɡɾama de telebiˈsjon/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might try to port the word 'television' into a single word like teleprograma, but this is not a standard term in Spanish.
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, a 'soap opera' is called a telenovela, a specific type of programa de televisión that typically has a predetermined end date rather than running indefinitely.
- In some Latin American regions, a variety show or an entertainment programa might be called a show using the English word, though it is pronounced with a Spanish accent.
- The word programa comes from the Ancient Greek πρόγραμμα, which originally referred to a public notice or a written announcement posted in a public place.
Examples in context
- Este programa de televisión va de pingüinos.This TV show is about penguins.Tatoeba #4553637 by swyter, translation #4547548 by giiraffen
- Mary apareció en el programa de televisión "Teen Mom".Mary appeared on the TV show 'Teen Mom'.Tatoeba #4978513 by cesare, translation #1504892 by Spamster
- No es inusual ver un equipo de rodaje grabando un programa de televisión, una película o un anuncio en las calles de Los Ángeles.It's not unusual to see a film crew shooting either a TV show, movie or commercial on the streets of L.A…Tatoeba #10067353 by manufrutos, translation #8688935 by Hybrid
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about what to watch on the couch.
- María¿Quieres ver un programa de televisión ahora?Do you want to watch a TV show now?
- AlejandroSí, pero no sé cuál elegir.Yes, but I don't know which one to choose.
- MaríaHay un programa de televisión muy divertido sobre cocina.There is a very funny TV show about cooking.
- AlejandroSuena genial, Alejandro pondrá ese.Sounds great, Alejandro will put that on.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry programa de televisión, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, programa, televisión, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
