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A1 noun #1,200 الأكثر شيوعاً 12 دقيقة للقراءة

la televisión

الأكثر شيوعاً #1,200

At the A1 level, 'la televisión' is one of the first nouns you learn because it is a common household object. Students learn to use it with simple verbs like 'ver' (to watch) and 'tener' (to have). At this stage, the focus is on basic communication: saying you watch TV in the evening or asking if there is a TV in a hotel room. You will learn that it is a feminine noun ('la') and that its short form is 'la tele'. You might use it in simple sentences like 'Yo veo la televisión' or 'Mi televisión es grande'. The goal is to recognize the word in spoken Spanish and use it to describe daily routines. You will also learn the basic colors and sizes to describe the device. Understanding that 'la televisión' refers to the activity and the medium is sufficient for this level. You don't need to worry about the technical difference between 'televisión' and 'televisor' yet, as most people will understand you regardless of which one you use in a simple context.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'la televisión' in the past and future tenses. You might describe what you watched yesterday ('Ayer vi una película en la televisión') or what you are going to watch tonight. You also start to learn more specific vocabulary related to it, such as 'canales' (channels), 'programas' (programs), and 'noticias' (news). You can express preferences, such as 'Me gusta más la televisión que la radio'. At this level, you should be comfortable using the word in the context of your hobbies and interests. You might also encounter the word in public settings, like seeing a sign in a cafe that says 'Tenemos televisión para el fútbol'. You are also introduced to the concept of 'la tele' as a very common informal alternative. Your sentences become slightly more complex, perhaps using connectors: 'Veo la televisión después de cenar porque me ayuda a dormir'. You also start to use adjectives to describe the content, such as 'divertida' (fun) or 'interesante'.

At the B1 level, you can talk about 'la televisión' in a more abstract way. You can discuss its role in society, the quality of different channels, and your opinions on advertising. You start to use the subjunctive mood with it: 'No creo que la televisión sea mala para los niños'. You also learn more idiomatic expressions and the distinction between 'la televisión' (the medium) and 'el televisor' (the device). You can describe more complex scenarios, such as 'Si tuviera más tiempo, vería más la televisión'. You also become familiar with the 'telenovela' culture and its importance in the Spanish-speaking world. You can understand more detailed news reports or articles about television trends. Your vocabulary expands to include terms like 'mando a distancia' (remote control), 'subtítulos' (subtitles), and 'retransmisión' (broadcast). You can participate in a debate about whether television is becoming obsolete due to the internet, using 'la televisión' as a central term in your arguments.

At the B2 level, you can use 'la televisión' in professional and academic contexts. You can discuss media ethics, the influence of television on politics, and the technical aspects of broadcasting. You are comfortable with terms like 'audiencia' (audience/ratings), 'franja horaria' (time slot), and 'cadena nacional' (national network). You can analyze the cultural impact of specific television eras, such as the transition from state-controlled to private television in Spain. You can understand nuances in documentaries or talk shows where 'la televisión' is the subject of critique. You might use the word in complex grammatical structures, such as 'A pesar de que la televisión ha perdido audiencia, sigue siendo el medio más influyente'. You also understand the use of 'la televisión' in metaphorical senses, such as 'la pequeña pantalla' to refer to the industry. You can write an essay comparing traditional television with modern streaming services, using precise vocabulary and varied sentence structures.

At the C1 level, your use of 'la televisión' is nuanced and sophisticated. You can discuss the semiotics of television, the history of its technological evolution, and its role in shaping national identity. You understand the subtle differences in how the word is used across different Spanish-speaking regions. You can follow fast-paced discussions among media experts and contribute with high-level vocabulary. You might use terms like 'concesión de licencias' (licensing), 'monopolio televisivo' (television monopoly), or 'alfabetización mediática' (media literacy). You can appreciate the use of 'la televisión' in literature or high-level journalism as a symbol of modernity or alienation. You are aware of the registers and can switch between 'la tele' and 'el medio televisivo' perfectly depending on the audience. You can also understand and use wordplay or puns involving the word. Your ability to use 'la televisión' in complex, multi-clause sentences is flawless, reflecting a deep understanding of Spanish syntax and style.

At the C2 level, you have a near-native mastery of 'la televisión' and its associated semantic field. You can discuss the most obscure aspects of television history, law, and technology in the Spanish-speaking world. You can analyze the linguistic impact of television on the Spanish language itself, such as how certain catchphrases from 'la televisión' have entered the common lexicon. You can write professional-grade critiques of television programming or academic papers on the sociology of television. You understand the most subtle connotations of the word in different contexts, from political propaganda to avant-garde video art. You can use the word in any register, from the most technical to the most poetic. Your understanding of 'la televisión' is not just linguistic but deeply cultural, encompassing an awareness of the major figures, events, and shifts that have defined the medium in Spain and Latin America. You can navigate any conversation or text involving 'la televisión' with total ease and precision.

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

la televisión في 30 ثانية

La televisión is a feminine noun referring to the medium of TV and the device itself.
It is often shortened to 'la tele' in casual, everyday Spanish conversations.
The physical device is technically called 'el televisor', but 'la televisión' is common.
Common verbs used with it include 'ver' (to watch), 'encender' (on), and 'apagar' (off).

The term la televisión is a cornerstone of modern Spanish vocabulary, referring primarily to the medium of telecommunication used for transmitting moving images and sound. In everyday Spanish, it is essential to distinguish between the abstract concept of the medium or the service (la televisión) and the physical electronic device itself, which is often called el televisor. However, in casual conversation, most speakers use the shortened feminine form la tele to refer to both the act of watching programs and the device sitting in the living room. This word is classified as a feminine noun, and its usage spans across all Spanish-speaking cultures, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the vibrant neighborhoods of Mexico City and Buenos Aires.

The Medium: Refers to the industry, the technology, and the collective programming. Example: 'La televisión ha cambiado mucho con internet' (Television has changed a lot with the internet).

Me gusta ver la televisión por la noche para relajarme.

Historically, la televisión has been the primary source of news and entertainment in the Spanish-speaking world. In Spain, the state-owned broadcaster RTVE (Radio Televisión Española) played a pivotal role during the transition to democracy, while in Latin America, giants like Televisa in Mexico and Rede Globo in Brazil (though Portuguese-speaking, it influences the region) have defined the cultural landscape through the 'telenovela' phenomenon. When you use this word, you are tapping into a shared cultural experience that involves family gatherings, football matches, and late-night talk shows. It is used in professional contexts when discussing media buy-ins, in domestic contexts when deciding what to watch, and in technical contexts when discussing signal strength or streaming services.

Informal Usage: 'La tele' is the most common way to refer to it in daily life. 'Apaga la tele' is more common than 'Apaga la televisión'.

¿Qué hay hoy en la televisión?

In the modern era, the definition of la televisión has expanded. It no longer just refers to linear broadcasting via antenna or cable. It now encompasses streaming platforms that are accessed through the TV set. Even so, the linguistic habit of saying 'poner la televisión' (to put on the TV) remains steadfast. You will hear this word in advertisements, in academic discussions about media literacy, and in simple household requests. It is a versatile noun that requires the feminine article 'la' and follows standard pluralization rules, becoming 'las televisiones' when referring to multiple stations or systems, though 'los televisores' is preferred for multiple physical units.

Cultural Impact: In many Spanish-speaking households, the television is the focal point of the living room, often kept on during meals for background noise or news updates.

La publicidad en la televisión es muy cara durante el Mundial.

Anunciaron los resultados en la televisión nacional.

No dejes que los niños pasen tanto tiempo frente a la televisión.

Using la televisión correctly involves understanding its relationship with specific verbs. The most common verb paired with it is ver (to see/watch). Unlike English, where we 'watch' TV, in Spanish, you 'see' the television (ver la televisión). Another essential set of verbs includes encender (to turn on) and apagar (to turn off). In more colloquial settings, you will often hear poner la tele, which literally means 'to put on the TV', similar to 'putting on a record' or 'putting on a show'.

Common Verbs: Ver (to watch), Encender (to turn on), Apagar (to turn off), Poner (to put on/play).

¿Puedes encender la televisión? El partido va a empezar.

When discussing the content on television, we use the preposition en. For example, 'Lo vi en la televisión' (I saw it on TV). If you are talking about the quality of the broadcast, you might use adjectives like digital, por cable, por satélite, or en abierto (free-to-air). The word also appears in compound structures like programas de televisión (TV programs) or series de televisión (TV series). In a grammatical sense, remember that 'televisión' is a feminine noun ending in '-ión', which almost always dictates the feminine gender in Spanish.

Prepositional Usage: Use 'en' to indicate the medium. 'Trabajo en la televisión' means 'I work in television'.

Ella trabaja como presentadora en la televisión local.

In more complex sentences, 'la televisión' can act as the subject or the object. For instance, 'La televisión influye en la opinión pública' (Television influences public opinion). Here, it is the subject performing the action. Conversely, in 'El gobierno regula la televisión' (The government regulates television), it is the direct object. When pluralized to 'las televisiones', it often refers to the various television stations or companies rather than multiple TV sets. For example, 'Las televisiones privadas compiten por la audiencia' (Private TV stations compete for the audience).

Descriptive Adjectives: Aburrida (boring), educativa (educational), basura (trash - used as 'telebasura'), comercial (commercial).

Prefiero la televisión educativa a los programas de chismes.

No hay nada interesante en la televisión esta tarde.

La invitaron a una entrevista en la televisión nacional.

You will encounter la televisión in a wide variety of social and professional settings. In a typical Spanish or Latin American home, the word is heard daily. '¿Qué dan en la tele?' (What's on TV?) is a standard question during dinner time. It's also a staple of the news cycle; news anchors often refer to their own medium, saying things like 'Gracias por informarse con nosotros en la televisión pública'. In bars and cafes, where televisions are often mounted on the walls to show football (soccer) matches, you'll hear patrons asking the waiter to 'subir el volumen de la televisión' (turn up the TV volume).

Domestic Setting: Daily conversations about shows, news, or simply the act of watching. 'Apaga la televisión y ven a comer'.

En el bar, todos miraban la televisión durante el penal.

In the business world, specifically in marketing and advertising, 'la televisión' is discussed as a 'medio' (medium). Media planners talk about 'la inversión en televisión' (investment in TV) or 'el alcance de la televisión' (the reach of TV). In electronics stores, while you are technically looking at 'televisores', the sales signs might say 'Lo mejor de la televisión en 4K' to emphasize the experience of watching. Furthermore, in the context of celebrity culture, being 'en la televisión' is a mark of fame. People might whisper, 'Esa mujer sale en la televisión', indicating she is a known personality.

Professional Context: Used by journalists, producers, and advertisers. 'La televisión está perdiendo terreno frente al streaming'.

El actor dio una entrevista exclusiva para la televisión.

In educational settings, teachers might discuss the 'efectos de la televisión en los niños' (effects of TV on children) or use 'la televisión educativa' as a tool in the classroom. Even in the age of YouTube and TikTok, 'la televisión' remains a prestigious medium; having a show on a major network is still considered a higher level of success than being an internet influencer in many circles. You will also hear it in technical support calls: 'Mi televisión no tiene señal' (My TV has no signal). Whether it's a technical glitch, a cultural debate, or a simple evening plan, the word is ubiquitous.

Public Spaces: Airports, waiting rooms, and gyms often have 'la televisión' on to entertain people while they wait.

La noticia de última hora interrumpió la programación de la televisión.

¿Viste lo que pasó ayer en la televisión?

Muchos ancianos dependen de la televisión para tener compañía.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using the wrong gender. Because 'television' looks so much like the English word, learners sometimes forget it is feminine. They might say 'el televisión', which is incorrect. Always remember: la televisión. Another common error is the confusion between televisión and televisor. While they are often interchangeable in casual English ('I bought a new TV'), in Spanish, if you are referring to the physical object you bought at the store, el televisor is the more precise term.

Gender Error: Incorrect: 'El televisión es viejo'. Correct: 'La televisión es vieja'.

Compré un televisor nuevo (Object), pero no me gusta la televisión actual (Medium).

Another nuance involves the verb 'to watch'. English speakers often want to translate 'watch' as mirar. While mirar la televisión is used in some parts of Latin America (like Argentina and Mexico), in Spain, ver la televisión is the standard. Using mirar in Spain might sound like you are just staring at the box rather than consuming the content. Additionally, learners often forget the accent on the 'ó'. Without the accent (television), the word is technically misspelled in Spanish, although most people will understand you in text messages.

Ver Confusion: In Spain, use 'ver'. In parts of Latin America, 'mirar' is also acceptable. 'Ver' is the safest bet globally.

¿Estás viendo la televisión o solo está encendida?

A more advanced mistake is the pluralization. When referring to the industry or the medium as a whole, it's usually singular. Saying 'Las televisiones son importantes' sounds like you are talking about specific TV sets or specific broadcasting companies. If you want to say 'TV is important for society', use the singular: 'La televisión es importante para la sociedad'. Finally, avoid using 'en la televisión' when you mean 'on the screen' of a computer or phone; for those, use 'en la pantalla'. 'La televisión' specifically implies the broadcast medium or the TV set.

Plural Nuance: 'Las televisiones' usually refers to the companies (networks). 'Los televisores' refers to the devices.

Hay muchas televisiones autonómicas en España.

No confundas la televisión con la realidad.

La calidad de la televisión ha mejorado con la tecnología digital.

While la televisión is the standard term, Spanish offers several alternatives depending on the context and level of formality. The most common synonym is la tele. This is the shortened, colloquial version used by almost everyone in informal speech. It's similar to how 'TV' is used in English. Another term is el televisor, which, as mentioned, refers specifically to the physical appliance. If you are talking about the screen itself, you might use la pantalla (the screen), especially in phrases like 'la pequeña pantalla' (the small screen), which is a common journalistic way to refer to the world of television as opposed to 'la gran pantalla' (the big screen/cinema).

La Tele vs. La Televisión: 'La tele' is informal and daily. 'La televisión' is formal, academic, or used for the industry.

Pásame el mando de la tele, por favor.

In a more derogatory or critical context, you might hear the term la caja tonta (the idiot box). This is used to criticize the lack of quality in programming or the passive nature of watching TV. In the industry, people might refer to el medio televisivo (the television medium) or la radiodifusión (broadcasting), though the latter is more technical and includes radio. When talking about specific channels, you use el canal or la cadena. For example, 'Cambié de canal' (I changed the channel) or 'La cadena de televisión emitió un comunicado' (The TV network issued a statement).

Device vs. Medium: Televisor: The machine. Televisión: The system/content. 'Se rompió el televisor, así que no puedo ver la televisión'.

Muchos critican a la caja tonta por su contenido superficial.

When comparing television to modern alternatives, you'll often hear streaming or vídeo bajo demanda (video on demand). While these are technically different, they are often accessed through 'la televisión'. In some Latin American countries, the word aparato (device/apparatus) is used generically for the TV set: 'Apaga ese aparato'. Understanding these nuances helps you sound more like a native speaker. For instance, using 'la tele' with friends and 'la televisión' in a presentation shows a good grasp of 'registro' (register).

Industry Terms: Emisora (station), cadena (network), programación (programming), sintonizar (to tune in).

La pequeña pantalla ha visto nacer a grandes estrellas de cine.

¿Prefieres la televisión por cable o las plataformas digitales?

El técnico vino a arreglar el televisor del salón.

How Formal Is It?

رسمي

محايد

غير رسمي

Child friendly

عامية

حقيقة ممتعة

The word was coined in 1900 by Russian scientist Constantin Perskyi at the International Electricity Congress in Paris, and it quickly spread to almost every language with very little variation.

دليل النطق

UK /te.le.βiˈsjon/

US /te.le.βiˈsjon/

The stress is on the final syllable 'sión' because it ends in 'n' and has a written accent.

يتقافى مع

canción avión corazón camión estación lección misión pasión

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'v' like an English 'v' (with teeth on lips); in Spanish, it's more like a soft 'b'.
Missing the stress on the last syllable.
Pronouncing the 't' with a puff of air (aspiration); it should be unaspirated.
Making the 'l' too 'dark' (velarized) like in 'pull'; it should be 'light' like in 'leaf'.
Pronouncing the 'i' like the 'i' in 'sit'; it should be like the 'ee' in 'feet'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Very easy to recognize due to its similarity to the English word.

الكتابة 2/5

Requires remembering the feminine gender and the accent on the 'o'.

التحدث 2/5

The 'v' sound and the stress on the last syllable need practice.

الاستماع 1/5

Easily understood in context, even if spoken quickly.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

ver casa película grande la

تعلّم لاحقاً

el televisor el mando el canal la noticia la serie

متقدم

la radiodifusión la sintonización la audiencia la programación el espectro radioeléctrico

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Nouns ending in -ión are feminine.

La televisión, la canción, la habitación.

Accent on the last syllable for words ending in 'n', 's', or vowel.

Televisión, camión, francés.

Use 'ver' for watching screens.

Veo la televisión, veo una película.

The preposition 'en' indicates the medium.

Lo vi en la televisión.

Shortening nouns (Apócope).

La tele (from televisión), la foto (from fotografía).

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Yo veo la televisión todos los días.

I watch the television every day.

Uses the present tense of 'ver' with the feminine noun.

La televisión es muy grande.

The television is very big.

Adjective 'grande' matches the singular noun.

¿Tienes una televisión en tu cuarto?

Do you have a television in your room?

Question using the verb 'tener'.

Me gusta ver la tele con mi familia.

I like to watch TV with my family.

Uses the informal 'la tele'.

Apaga la televisión, por favor.

Turn off the television, please.

Imperative form of 'apagar'.

Hay una película buena en la televisión.

There is a good movie on the television.

Uses the preposition 'en' for the medium.

No veo mucha televisión.

I don't watch much television.

Negative sentence structure.

La televisión está en el salón.

The television is in the living room.

Uses 'estar' for location.

Ayer vi un documental en la televisión.

Yesterday I watched a documentary on TV.

Preterite tense of 'ver'.

Mis padres compraron una televisión nueva.

My parents bought a new television.

Preterite tense of 'comprar'.

Antes no había televisión en color.

Before, there was no color television.

Imperfect tense of 'haber'.

Voy a encender la televisión para ver las noticias.

I am going to turn on the TV to watch the news.

Future with 'ir a' + infinitive.

¿Qué programas de televisión te gustan?

What television programs do you like?

Plural 'programas' with 'de televisión'.

La televisión de mi abuela es muy vieja.

My grandmother's television is very old.

Possessive 'de' and feminine adjective 'vieja'.

Siempre vemos la televisión mientras cenamos.

We always watch television while we have dinner.

Uses 'mientras' to connect two actions.

Ella quiere trabajar en la televisión algún día.

She wants to work in television someday.

Infinitive 'trabajar' followed by the medium.

Espero que pongan algo interesante en la televisión.

I hope they put something interesting on TV.

Present subjunctive 'pongan' after 'espero que'.

Si no hubiera televisión, leeríamos más libros.

If there were no television, we would read more books.

Conditional sentence with past subjunctive.

La televisión ha influido mucho en nuestra cultura.

Television has influenced our culture a lot.

Present perfect tense.

No me gusta que la televisión tenga tantos anuncios.

I don't like that television has so many commercials.

Subjunctive 'tenga' after 'no me gusta que'.

He dejado de ver la televisión para estudiar más.

I have stopped watching TV to study more.

Periphrasis 'dejar de' + infinitive.

La televisión pública debería ser más educativa.

Public television should be more educational.

Conditional 'debería' expressing an opinion.

Muchos niños pasan demasiado tiempo frente a la televisión.

Many children spend too much time in front of the TV.

Adverb 'demasiado' modifying 'tiempo'.

Se rompió el mando de la televisión y no puedo cambiar de canal.

The TV remote broke and I can't change the channel.

Reflexive 'se rompió' for accidental events.

La televisión digital terrestre ha mejorado la calidad de imagen.

Digital terrestrial television has improved image quality.

Specific technical term 'digital terrestre'.

Es evidente que la televisión está perdiendo terreno frente a internet.

It is evident that television is losing ground to the internet.

Indicative 'está' after 'es evidente que'.

La televisión basura es un tema de debate constante en la sociedad.

Trash TV is a constant topic of debate in society.

Compound term 'televisión basura'.

El periodista fue contratado por una cadena de televisión internacional.

The journalist was hired by an international TV network.

Passive voice 'fue contratado'.

La televisión por cable ofrece una mayor variedad de contenidos.

Cable television offers a greater variety of content.

Comparative 'mayor' with 'variedad'.

Dudo que la televisión desaparezca por completo en el futuro.

I doubt that television will disappear completely in the future.

Subjunctive 'desaparezca' after 'dudo que'.

La televisión ha sido un instrumento de propaganda política en muchos países.

Television has been an instrument of political propaganda in many countries.

Present perfect 'ha sido'.

El impacto de la televisión en el comportamiento infantil es preocupante.

The impact of television on child behavior is worrying.

Noun 'impacto' followed by 'de la televisión'.

La fragmentación de la audiencia televisiva es un reto para los anunciantes.

The fragmentation of the television audience is a challenge for advertisers.

Adjective 'televisiva' derived from the noun.

La televisión ha pasado de ser un medio unidireccional a uno interactivo.

Television has gone from being a one-way medium to an interactive one.

Structure 'pasar de ser... a ser...'.

Resulta imperativo regular los contenidos violentos en la televisión.

It is imperative to regulate violent content on television.

Formal expression 'resulta imperativo'.

La televisión se ha convertido en un escaparate de la realidad social.

Television has become a showcase of social reality.

Reflexive 'se ha convertido en'.

El declive de la televisión lineal es una consecuencia directa del auge del streaming.

The decline of linear television is a direct consequence of the rise of streaming.

Specific term 'televisión lineal'.

A menudo se critica a la televisión por fomentar el sedentarismo.

Television is often criticized for encouraging a sedentary lifestyle.

Impersonal 'se' construction.

La televisión de pago ha transformado los hábitos de consumo audiovisual.

Pay TV has transformed audiovisual consumption habits.

Specific term 'televisión de pago'.

No se puede subestimar el poder de la televisión para movilizar a las masas.

The power of television to mobilize the masses cannot be underestimated.

Passive 'no se puede' + infinitive.

La ontología de la televisión como medio de masas está siendo redefinida.

The ontology of television as a mass medium is being redefined.

Academic term 'ontología'.

La televisión ha ejercido una hegemonía cultural indiscutible durante décadas.

Television has exercised an indisputable cultural hegemony for decades.

Sophisticated vocabulary 'hegemonía'.

El discurso televisivo se caracteriza por su inmediatez y su capacidad de síntesis.

Television discourse is characterized by its immediacy and its capacity for synthesis.

Noun 'discurso' modified by 'televisivo'.

La convergencia mediática ha diluido las fronteras entre la televisión y el cine.

Media convergence has blurred the boundaries between television and cinema.

Technical term 'convergencia mediática'.

La televisión, en su vertiente más comercial, suele priorizar el espectáculo sobre la información.

Television, in its most commercial aspect, tends to prioritize spectacle over information.

Use of 'vertiente' to describe a specific aspect.

La legislación vigente sobre la televisión busca proteger los derechos del menor.

Current legislation on television seeks to protect the rights of minors.

Legal term 'legislación vigente'.

La televisión ha sido, históricamente, un pilar fundamental de la cohesión social.

Television has been, historically, a fundamental pillar of social cohesion.

Appositive phrase 'históricamente'.

La omnipresencia de la televisión en el hogar contemporáneo ha alterado la dinámica familiar.

The omnipresence of television in the contemporary home has altered family dynamics.

Sophisticated noun 'omnipresencia'.

تلازمات شائعة

ver la televisión

encender la televisión

apagar la televisión

poner la televisión

programas de televisión

anuncios de televisión

cadena de televisión

televisión por cable

televisión digital

televisión en abierto

العبارات الشائعة

¿Qué hay en la televisión?

Salir en la televisión

Trabajar en la televisión

Delante de la televisión

A través de la televisión

La televisión de ayer

Hacer televisión

Mando de la televisión

Canal de televisión

Estrella de la televisión

يُخلط عادةً مع

la televisión vs el televisor

English speakers use 'TV' for both, but Spanish distinguishes between the medium (televisión) and the device (televisor).

la televisión vs la pantalla

Pantalla means 'screen'. While you watch the screen, you watch 'la televisión' as a whole.

la televisión vs el canal

A canal is a specific station, while televisión is the general medium.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"Estar pegado a la televisión"

To be watching TV intently for a long time without moving.

Mi hijo está pegado a la televisión con esos dibujos animados.

colloquial

"La caja tonta"

A pejorative way to refer to the television, implying it makes people less intelligent.

Deja de mirar la caja tonta y lee un libro.

informal

"Hacer zapping"

To quickly change channels repeatedly looking for something to watch.

Estuvo haciendo zapping durante una hora y no vio nada.

colloquial

"La pequeña pantalla"

A common journalistic term for the television industry.

Es una de las caras más conocidas de la pequeña pantalla.

journalistic

"Telebasura"

Low-quality, sensationalist television programming.

Mucha gente critica la telebasura, pero tiene mucha audiencia.

informal/critical

"Chupar cámara"

To try to appear on TV as much as possible, often by standing behind a reporter.

Ese político siempre intenta chupar cámara en los eventos.

slang

"En riguroso directo"

To be broadcasting live right now, without any delay.

Estamos transmitiendo en riguroso directo desde la plaza.

formal/journalistic

"Pasar por el tubo"

Metaphorically, to go through the television process or to conform to media standards.

Si quieres ser famoso, tienes que pasar por el tubo de la televisión.

colloquial

"Tener mucha pantalla"

To have a lot of airtime or visibility on TV.

Ese actor tiene mucha pantalla este año.

colloquial

"Poner cara de televisión"

To put on a fake or overly professional smile for the camera.

En cuanto vio la cámara, puso cara de televisión.

informal

سهل الخلط

la televisión vs televisor

Both refer to TV.

Televisión is the medium/service; televisor is the physical box.

Compré un televisor para ver la televisión.

la televisión vs tele

It's just a shorter version.

Tele is informal; televisión is formal.

En la tele no hay nada, pero la televisión educativa es buena.

la televisión vs cadena

Both relate to TV broadcasting.

Cadena is the network (like NBC); televisión is the medium.

Esa cadena de televisión tiene mucho éxito.

la televisión vs programa

Content vs Medium.

Programa is the specific show; televisión is where you watch it.

Este programa de televisión es mi favorito.

la televisión vs retransmisión

Technical term.

Retransmisión is the act of broadcasting; televisión is the system.

La retransmisión por televisión fue en directo.

أنماط الجُمل

Yo veo [la televisión].

Yo veo la televisión.

Me gusta ver [la televisión] con [persona].

Me gusta ver la televisión con mi hermano.

No creo que [la televisión] sea [adjetivo].

No creo que la televisión sea aburrida.

A pesar de [la televisión], prefiero [otra cosa].

A pesar de la televisión, prefiero leer.

La influencia de [la televisión] en [tema] es [adjetivo].

La influencia de la televisión en la política es innegable.

Si analizamos [la televisión] desde una perspectiva [adjetivo]...

Si analizamos la televisión desde una perspectiva sociológica...

¿Hay [la televisión] en [lugar]?

¿Hay una televisión en la habitación?

Ayer [verbo pasado] [la televisión].

Ayer encendí la televisión.

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

الأفعال

الصفات

مرتبط

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and media.

أخطاء شائعة

El televisión → La televisión
Learners often assume it's masculine because 'television' in English has no gender, but in Spanish, -ión endings are feminine.
Mirar la televisión (in Spain) → Ver la televisión
While 'mirar' is used in Latin America, in Spain 'ver' is the standard verb for watching content.
Television (without accent) → Televisión
The written accent on the 'o' is mandatory in Spanish spelling for this word.
Compré una televisión (when referring to the box) → Compré un televisor
While people will understand you, 'televisor' is the correct word for the physical appliance.
En el televisión → En la televisión
Combining the wrong gender with the preposition 'en'.

نصائح

Gender Rule

Remember that words ending in -sión are always feminine. This will help you with words like misión, visión, and televisión.

Informal vs Formal

Use 'la tele' when talking to friends. It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using the full word 'televisión'.

Telenovelas

If you want to practice your Spanish, watching 'telenovelas' on la televisión is one of the best ways to hear natural (if dramatic) dialogue.

The Soft V

Don't bite your lip for the 'v' in televisión. Keep your lips slightly apart and make a sound between a 'v' and a 'b'.

Don't forget the tilde

The accent on 'televisión' is crucial. In Spanish, missing an accent can sometimes change the meaning of a word, though here it's just a spelling error.

Ver vs Mirar

If you are in Spain, stick with 'ver'. If you are in the Americas, 'mirar' is perfectly fine and very common.

Smart TV

In Spanish, we say 'televisión inteligente' or more commonly 'Smart TV' (using the English term) for modern connected sets.

Background Noise

In many Spanish homes, 'la tele' is always on. Try to listen to Spanish TV in the background while doing chores to get used to the rhythm.

Conversation Topic

Asking '¿Viste lo que pasó ayer en la tele?' is a great way to start a conversation with a Spanish speaker.

News Vocabulary

Watching 'el telediario' (the news) on la televisión will introduce you to more formal and academic Spanish vocabulary.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Tele' (far) and 'Vision' (sight). You are seeing things from far away. Also, it sounds almost exactly like the English word, just remember to add 'la' and the accent on the 'o'.

ربط بصري

Imagine a giant 'L' (for 'la') shaped like a TV antenna sitting on top of a television set.

Word Web

Noticias Películas Series Mando Canal Pantalla Anuncios Fútbol

تحدٍّ

Try to name three things you saw on 'la televisión' yesterday using full Spanish sentences.

أصل الكلمة

The word is a hybrid of Greek and Latin roots. 'Tele-' comes from the Greek 'tēle' meaning 'far', and '-visión' comes from the Latin 'visio' meaning 'sight' or 'viewing'.

المعنى الأصلي: Literally 'seeing from afar' or 'far-sight'.

Romance (Spanish), with Greco-Latin roots common to most Western languages.

السياق الثقافي

Be aware that 'la televisión' can be a sensitive topic when discussing its influence on children or its use for political propaganda in certain regimes.

In English, we often say 'TV' or 'the television'. In Spanish, 'la tele' is the perfect equivalent for 'TV'.

RTVE (Radio Televisión Española) - The national public broadcaster of Spain. Televisa - The world's largest Spanish-language media company, based in Mexico. Unión de Televisiones Comerciales en Abierto (UTECA) - An important industry body in Spain.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

At home

¿Dónde está el mando?
Pon la tele.
Apaga la televisión.
No hay nada bueno en la tele.

In a bar

¿Van a poner el fútbol en la televisión?
Sube el volumen de la tele.
Cambia de canal, por favor.
¿Qué canal es ese?

Discussing news

Lo dijeron en la televisión.
Salió en las noticias de la televisión.
Vi la entrevista en la televisión.
La televisión informó sobre el accidente.

At an electronics store

Quiero comprar una televisión nueva.
¿Es esta una televisión inteligente?
¿Qué resolución tiene esta televisión?
¿Cuánto cuesta esa televisión de allí?

Talking about work

Trabajo en la televisión.
Soy productor de televisión.
Buscamos gente para un programa de televisión.
La televisión es un mundo difícil.

بدايات محادثة

"¿Qué tipo de programas de televisión te gusta ver en tu tiempo libre?"

"¿Crees que la televisión sigue siendo importante en la era de internet?"

"¿Cuál era tu programa de televisión favorito cuando eras niño?"

"¿Prefieres ver la televisión solo o con amigos y familia?"

"¿Qué opinas de los anuncios en la televisión? ¿Son demasiados?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Describe un día sin televisión ni internet. ¿Qué harías con tu tiempo libre?

Escribe sobre una serie de televisión que haya cambiado tu forma de pensar.

¿Cómo crees que será la televisión dentro de cincuenta años?

Compara la televisión de tu país con la televisión de un país de habla hispana.

¿Crees que la televisión tiene una influencia positiva o negativa en la sociedad?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

Es femenino. Siempre se dice 'la televisión'. Esto se debe a que la mayoría de las palabras que terminan en '-ión' son femeninas en español. Por ejemplo: la canción, la estación, la educación.

'La televisión' se refiere al medio, al sistema de transmisión o al contenido. 'El televisor' se refiere específicamente al aparato físico, al mueble electrónico con pantalla que tienes en casa.

Se dice 'la tele'. Es la forma más común y natural de referirse a ella en conversaciones informales con amigos o familiares. Por ejemplo: '¿Qué hay en la tele?'

Ambas son correctas, pero depende de la región. En España es mucho más común decir 'ver la televisión'. En muchos países de América Latina, como México o Argentina, es muy frecuente usar 'mirar la televisión'.

Sí, lleva tilde en la 'o' (televisión). Es una palabra aguda que termina en 'n', por lo que las reglas de acentuación del español exigen que lleve tilde.

Se dice 'el mando a distancia' (común en España) o 'el control remoto' (común en América Latina). También se puede decir simplemente 'el mando' o 'el control'.

Es un término despectivo que se refiere a programas de televisión de baja calidad, generalmente basados en chismes, sensacionalismo o reality shows poco educativos.

Se dice 'salir en la televisión'. Por ejemplo: 'Mi actor favorito va a salir en la televisión esta noche'.

El plural es 'las televisiones'. Se usa para referirse a varias estaciones de televisión o a varios sistemas, aunque para varios aparatos físicos es mejor decir 'los televisores'.

Se dice 'el canal de televisión'. Por ejemplo: 'Cambia al canal de deportes'.