تلفاز in 30 Seconds
- A common household electronic device used for watching programs, news, and movies.
- A primary medium for mass communication and entertainment across the globe.
- A masculine noun in Arabic, typically paired with the verb 'شاهد' (to watch).
- Often replaced by the colloquial loanword 'تلفزيون' in everyday spoken Arabic dialects.
The Arabic word تلفاز (tilfāz) is a noun that translates directly to 'television' in English. It refers to the electronic device used for receiving and displaying broadcast images and sound. This word is a core vocabulary item for beginners (CEFR A1) as it represents a common household object and a primary medium of mass communication and entertainment. Understanding this word opens up conversations about daily routines, hobbies, and media consumption in the Arab world. The term is widely understood across all Arabic-speaking regions, although colloquial variations exist. In formal Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), تلفاز is the preferred term, often used in news broadcasts, literature, and educational materials. The word is derived from the root concept of transmitting vision from afar, combining elements that reflect its function. When learning this word, it is essential to recognize its role in modern Arabic culture, where television remains a central gathering point for families, especially during significant events or the holy month of Ramadan when special series are broadcast. The cultural significance of the تلفاز cannot be overstated; it is not merely a device but a cultural conduit. Furthermore, the word integrates seamlessly into various grammatical structures, functioning as a standard definite or indefinite noun. It can take possessive suffixes, plural forms (though the singular is most commonly used when referring to the medium itself), and can be the subject or object of a sentence. As you advance in your Arabic studies, you will encounter this word in increasingly complex contexts, from simple statements about watching a program to nuanced discussions about media influence and technological evolution. To fully grasp its usage, one must practice it in varied sentences, noting how it pairs with specific verbs like 'شاهد' (to watch) or 'أغلق' (to turn off). Below are detailed breakdowns, examples, and tips to help you master the word تلفاز and use it confidently in both spoken and written Arabic.
- Linguistic Root
- Derived from modern linguistic adaptations for technological terms, blending 'tele' and visual concepts.
- Grammatical Gender
- Masculine noun in Arabic, affecting adjective agreement and pronoun usage.
- Common Usage
- Used universally in MSA to denote both the physical TV set and the broadcasting medium.
أنا أشاهد تلفاز كل مساء مع عائلتي.
هذا تلفاز جديد وكبير جداً.
لا تقترب كثيراً من شاشة الـ تلفاز.
الـ تلفاز يعرض أخباراً هامة اليوم.
اشترينا تلفاز ذكي لغرفة المعيشة.
Using the word تلفاز correctly involves understanding its grammatical properties and common collocations. As a masculine noun, any adjectives modifying it must also be masculine. For example, 'a big television' is 'تلفاز كبير' (tilfāz kabīr). When making it definite, you add the 'al-' prefix: 'التلفاز' (al-tilfāz). In a sentence, it often functions as the direct object of verbs related to watching, buying, or operating electronics. The most frequent verb paired with it is 'شاهد' (to watch). For instance, 'أشاهد التلفاز' means 'I watch television'. It is also common to use prepositions with it, such as 'على التلفاز' (on television) when referring to a broadcast, or 'أمام التلفاز' (in front of the television) when describing a physical location. When discussing the components, you might say 'شاشة التلفاز' (the television screen) or 'جهاز التلفاز' (the television set). In plural form, which is less commonly used but valid for referring to multiple physical devices, it becomes 'تلفازات' (tilfāzāt). However, when discussing television as a general medium or concept, the singular form is always used. In negative sentences, you might say 'لا أشاهد التلفاز' (I do not watch television). For advanced learners, using the word in passive constructions or complex clauses adds sophistication: 'يُعتبر التلفاز وسيلة إعلامية قوية' (Television is considered a powerful media tool). Understanding these structural nuances ensures that you can integrate the word seamlessly into both simple daily conversations and more formal written texts. Practice by substituting 'تلفاز' into various sentence templates to build muscle memory for its grammatical agreements and typical contexts. Below are more examples and structural breakdowns to guide your usage.
- Definite Article
- Takes the solar 'al-' prefix, so the 'l' is assimilated: التلفاز (at-tilfāz).
- Pluralization
- The regular feminine plural suffix is used for the physical devices: تلفازات (tilfāzāt).
- Verb Pairing
- Most commonly used as the object of the verb شاهد (to watch).
البرنامج المفضل لدي يُعرض على الـ تلفاز.
هل قمت بإيقاف تشغيل الـ تلفاز؟
صوت الـ تلفاز مرتفع جداً، أرجو خفضه.
نحن بحاجة إلى إصلاح الـ تلفاز المكسور.
الأطفال يجلسون أمام الـ تلفاز لساعات.
The word تلفاز is ubiquitous in Arabic-speaking environments, though the context dictates whether you hear this exact formal term or its colloquial counterparts. In formal settings, such as news broadcasts on channels like Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya, presenters will exclusively use 'التلفاز' when referring to the medium. You will also encounter it frequently in written Arabic, including newspapers, magazines, academic articles, and literature. In educational contexts, textbooks teaching Arabic as a foreign language or native language arts will use 'تلفاز' to ensure students learn the standard vocabulary. However, in everyday spoken Arabic across various dialects (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, Maghrebi), the loanword 'تلفزيون' (televizyoon) is overwhelmingly more common. For instance, an Egyptian might say 'شغل التلفزيون' (turn on the TV) rather than using 'تلفاز'. Despite this, 'تلفاز' is universally understood by all Arabic speakers due to their exposure to MSA through media and education. You might also hear it in formal announcements, advertisements for electronics, or in dubbed cartoons and documentaries where MSA is the standard language. Understanding where and when to use 'تلفاز' versus 'تلفزيون' is a key aspect of mastering Arabic register and sociolinguistics. As a learner, using 'تلفاز' is always correct and respected, but recognizing the colloquial variants will greatly enhance your listening comprehension in real-world situations. Pay attention to how native speakers switch between these terms depending on the formality of the conversation. Below are examples of contexts where the formal term is predominantly used.
- News Broadcasts
- Standard terminology used by anchors and reporters in MSA.
- Literature
- Used in novels, short stories, and formal essays to maintain linguistic purity.
- Academic Writing
- The required term in research papers discussing media and communication.
أعلنت نشرة الأخبار في الـ تلفاز عن حالة الطقس.
قرأت مقالاً عن تأثير الـ تلفاز على الأطفال.
تطورت صناعة الـ تلفاز بشكل كبير في العقد الماضي.
يُعتبر الـ تلفاز من أهم اختراعات القرن العشرين.
في المدرسة، تعلمنا كيف يعمل جهاز الـ تلفاز.
When learning the word تلفاز, students often make a few predictable errors related to pronunciation, grammar, and register. A common pronunciation mistake is misarticulating the initial 't' sound or the long 'a' (alif). It should be a clear, crisp 't' (ت), not an emphatic 'T' (ط). The word is pronounced 'til-fāz', with the stress on the second syllable. Grammatically, learners sometimes confuse the gender, treating it as feminine because it refers to a machine or screen (شاشة is feminine). However, 'تلفاز' is strictly masculine. Therefore, saying 'تلفاز جديدة' (new television - feminine adjective) is incorrect; it must be 'تلفاز جديد' (masculine adjective). Another frequent error is using the wrong verb for watching. English speakers might translate 'I look at the TV' literally using the verb 'نظر' (to look), resulting in awkward phrasing. The correct and natural verb is 'شاهد' (to watch). Additionally, learners often overuse the formal 'تلفاز' in highly informal, dialect-heavy conversations, which, while understood, can sound overly academic or stiff. In a casual chat with friends in Cairo or Beirut, insisting on 'تلفاز' instead of 'تلفزيون' might disrupt the natural flow of the dialect. Finally, mistakes occur with prepositions. To say something is 'on TV', use 'على التلفاز', not 'في التلفاز' (in the TV), unless you are literally talking about the internal electronic components. By being aware of these common pitfalls, you can refine your usage and sound more like a native speaker. Review the examples below to solidify the correct patterns and avoid these typical errors.
- Gender Agreement
- Always use masculine adjectives and pronouns with تلفاز.
- Verb Selection
- Use شاهد (watch), not نظر (look) or رأى (see) for consuming TV content.
- Preposition Usage
- Use على (on) for broadcasts, not في (in).
الخطأ: تلفاز كبيرة. الصواب: تلفاز كبير.
الخطأ: أنظر إلى التلفاز. الصواب: أشاهد الـ تلفاز.
الخطأ: البرنامج في التلفاز. الصواب: البرنامج على الـ تلفاز.
الخطأ: رأيت الأخبار في التلفاز. الصواب: شاهدت الأخبار على الـ تلفاز.
الخطأ: تلفازات كثيرة (للقنوات). الصواب: قنوات تلفاز كثيرة.
Several words in Arabic share similar meanings or contexts with تلفاز, and understanding the distinctions between them will enrich your vocabulary. The most direct synonym is the loanword 'تلفزيون' (televizyoon), which is used interchangeably with 'تلفاز' but is more common in spoken dialects and informal writing. Another related word is 'شاشة' (shāsha), which translates to 'screen'. While 'شاشة' can refer to a TV screen, it is a broader term that also applies to computer monitors, cinema screens, and smartphone displays. You might hear people say 'شاشة التلفاز' to specifically mean the TV screen. There is also the archaic or highly formal term 'رائي' (rā'ī), which literally means 'viewer' or 'that which shows', but it is rarely used in modern contexts to mean television. Another related concept is 'مذياع' (midhyā') or 'راديو' (radyo), which refers to the radio—the audio counterpart to the television. When discussing the content watched on a TV, words like 'برنامج' (barnāmaj - program), 'مسلسل' (musalsal - series), and 'فيلم' (film - movie) are essential companions to 'تلفاز'. Furthermore, 'قناة' (qanāh - channel) is crucial when talking about what to watch. By learning these related terms, you can build a comprehensive semantic network around the concept of broadcasting and media. This allows for more precise communication. For example, instead of just saying 'I bought a TV', you can specify 'I bought a flat screen' (اشتريت شاشة مسطحة). Below is a breakdown of these similar and related words to help you distinguish their specific uses and nuances.
- تلفزيون (Televizyoon)
- The universally understood loanword, dominant in spoken dialects.
- شاشة (Shāsha)
- Means 'screen'. Used for TVs, computers, and phones.
- قناة (Qanāh)
- Means 'channel'. Refers to the broadcasting station on the TV.
أفضل مشاهدة الأفلام على شاشة كبيرة بدلاً من الهاتف.
في اللهجة العامية، نقول تلفزيون بدلاً من تلفاز.
ما هي الـ قناة التي تعرض المباراة اليوم؟
الـ مذياع كان وسيلة الإعلام الأولى قبل اختراع التلفاز.
هذا الـ برنامج التلفازي مفيد جداً للأطفال.
How Formal Is It?
Difficulty Rating
Grammar to Know
Masculine noun adjective agreement (تلفاز كبير).
Using the definite article with solar letters (التلفاز).
Present tense conjugation of the verb 'شاهد' (أشاهد، تشاهد، يشاهد).
Prepositions of place (أمام التلفاز - in front of the TV).
Idafa (Possessive construction) (شاشة التلفاز - the TV screen).
Examples by Level
هذا تلفاز كبير.
This is a big television.
'تلفاز' is a masculine noun, so the adjective 'كبير' is also masculine.
أنا أشاهد التلفاز.
I watch television.
'التلفاز' is the direct object here, taking the definite article 'ال'.
عندي تلفاز في الغرفة.
I have a television in the room.
'عندي' means 'I have', followed by the indefinite noun 'تلفاز'.
التلفاز جديد.
The television is new.
A simple nominal sentence (Mubtada and Khabar).
أين التلفاز؟
Where is the television?
Using the interrogative 'أين' (where) with the definite noun.
لا يوجد تلفاز هنا.
There is no television here.
'لا يوجد' is used to express 'there is not'.
لون التلفاز أسود.
The color of the television is black.
Idafa construction: 'لون التلفاز' (color of the TV).
أريد شراء تلفاز.
I want to buy a television.
'أريد' (I want) followed by the verbal noun 'شراء' and the object.
أشاهد التلفاز كل مساء.
I watch television every evening.
Adding time expressions like 'كل مساء' to describe routines.
البرنامج على التلفاز ممتع.
The program on television is interesting.
Using the preposition 'على' (on) with 'التلفاز'.
أبي يغلق التلفاز الآن.
My dad is turning off the television now.
Using the verb 'يغلق' (turns off) in the present tense.
شاهدت الأخبار في التلفاز أمس.
I watched the news on television yesterday.
Past tense verb 'شاهدت' (I watched).
نحن نجلس أمام التلفاز.
We are sitting in front of the television.
Using the spatial preposition 'أمام' (in front of).
لا أحب مشاهدة التلفاز كثيراً.
I don't like watching television a lot.
Expressing negative preference with 'لا أحب'.
هذا التلفاز غالي الثمن.
This television is expensive.
Using demonstrative pronoun 'هذا' with the definite noun.
هل يوجد تلفاز في الفندق؟
Is there a television in the hotel?
Forming a yes/no question with 'هل'.
أفضل قراءة الكتب على مشاهدة التلفاز.
I prefer reading books over watching television.
Using 'أفضل... على' to express preference.
يعرض التلفاز مسلسلات رائعة في رمضان.
Television shows wonderful series during Ramadan.
'يعرض' (shows/broadcasts) is a key verb for TV.
شاشة هذا التلفاز واضحة جداً.
The screen of this television is very clear.
Idafa construction 'شاشة هذا التلفاز'.
عندما كنت صغيراً، كنت أشاهد التلفاز لساعات.
When I was young, I used to watch television for hours.
Using 'كان' + present verb to express past habits.
التلفاز وسيلة مهمة لمعرفة الأخبار.
Television is an important means to know the news.
Using 'وسيلة' (means/tool) to describe the TV's function.
انقطع التيار الكهربائي وانطفأ التلفاز.
The power went out and the television turned off.
Using the passive/reflexive verb 'انطفأ'.
أخي يدرس بينما التلفاز يعمل.
My brother is studying while the television is on.
Using 'بينما' (while) to connect two simultaneous actions.
اشترينا جهاز تلفاز ذكي يتصل بالإنترنت.
We bought a smart television set that connects to the internet.
Using 'جهاز تلفاز' and an adjective clause.
يلعب التلفاز دوراً كبيراً في تشكيل الرأي العام.
Television plays a major role in shaping public opinion.
Abstract usage: 'يلعب دوراً' (plays a role).
تأثير التلفاز على الأطفال موضوع نقاش دائم.
The impact of television on children is a subject of constant debate.
Using 'تأثير' (impact/effect) followed by 'على'.
تطورت تكنولوجيا التلفاز بشكل مذهل في العقد الأخير.
Television technology has developed astonishingly in the last decade.
Using advanced vocabulary like 'تكنولوجيا' and 'بشكل مذهل'.
يُعتبر التلفاز من أهم وسائل الإعلام الجماهيرية.
Television is considered one of the most important mass media.
Passive voice 'يُعتبر' (is considered).
الكثير من الناس يعانون من إدمان مشاهدة التلفاز.
Many people suffer from television watching addiction.
Using 'إدمان' (addiction) in an Idafa structure.
الإعلانات التجارية على التلفاز تستهدف المستهلكين بذكاء.
Commercial advertisements on television target consumers cleverly.
Complex sentence structure with subject 'الإعلانات'.
رغم ظهور الإنترنت، لا يزال التلفاز يحتفظ بمكانته.
Despite the emergence of the internet, television still retains its position.
Using 'رغم' (despite) and 'لا يزال' (still).
تم بث المباراة مباشرة على شاشة التلفاز الوطني.
The match was broadcast live on the national television screen.
Passive construction 'تم بث' (was broadcast).
لقد أحدث التلفاز الفضائي ثورة في طرق تلقي المعلومات.
Satellite television has revolutionized the ways of receiving information.
Using 'أحدث ثورة' (revolutionized) with 'التلفاز الفضائي'.
تُستخدم برامج التلفاز أحياناً كأداة للهيمنة الثقافية.
Television programs are sometimes used as a tool for cultural hegemony.
Advanced vocabulary: 'أداة' (tool) and 'هيمنة ثقافية' (cultural hegemony).
الخطاب الإعلامي المتلفز يتطلب تحليلاً نقدياً عميقاً.
Televised media discourse requires deep critical analysis.
Using the adjective form 'المتلفز' (televised).
ساهم التلفاز في تسليع الثقافة وتحويلها إلى مادة استهلاكية.
Television has contributed to the commodification of culture, turning it into a consumer product.
Complex academic phrasing: 'تسليع' (commodification).
إن تراجع نسب مشاهدة التلفاز التقليدي يعكس تحولاً ديموغرافياً.
The decline in traditional television viewership reflects a demographic shift.
Using verbal nouns like 'تراجع' and 'مشاهدة'.
يُعد التلفاز مرآة تعكس التناقضات الاجتماعية والسياسية للمجتمع.
Television is a mirror reflecting the social and political contradictions of society.
Metaphorical usage: 'مرآة تعكس' (a mirror reflecting).
الرقابة على محتوى التلفاز تثير جدلاً حول حرية التعبير.
Censorship of television content raises controversy regarding freedom of expression.
Using 'الرقابة' (censorship) and 'تثير جدلاً' (raises controversy).
لقد تجاوزنا عصر التلفاز الأحادي الاتجاه نحو إعلام تفاعلي.
We have moved past the era of one-way television towards interactive media.
Using 'تجاوزنا' (we have moved past) and 'أحادي الاتجاه' (one-way).
إن الحضور الطاغي لشاشة التلفاز في الحيز المنزلي قد أعاد صياغة التفاعلات الأسرية.
The overwhelming presence of the television screen in the domestic space has reshaped familial interactions.
Highly formal structure: 'إن الحضور الطاغي' (the overwhelming presence).
تتجلى سيميائية الصورة المتلفزة في قدرتها على اختزال الواقع المعقد.
The semiotics of the televised image manifest in its ability to reduce complex reality.
Academic terminology: 'سيميائية' (semiotics), 'تتجلى' (manifests).
لقد تحول التلفاز من مجرد ناقل للحدث إلى صانع له في عصر ما بعد الحداثة.
Television has transformed from a mere transmitter of events to a creator of them in the postmodern era.
Philosophical phrasing: 'عصر ما بعد الحداثة' (postmodern era).
الاستلاب الثقافي الذي يمارسه التلفاز يعمل بآليات ناعمة غير مرئية.
The cultural alienation practiced by television operates through soft, invisible mechanisms.
Advanced concepts: 'الاستلاب الثقافي' (cultural alienation).
تفكيك الخطاب التلفازي يكشف عن البنى الأيديولوجية المضمرة في النص المرئي.
Deconstructing television discourse reveals the ideological structures hidden within the visual text.
Literary/media criticism vocabulary: 'تفكيك' (deconstructing), 'المضمرة' (hidden/implicit).
التلفاز كجهاز أيديولوجي للدولة يساهم في إعادة إنتاج علاقات القوة.
Television, as an ideological state apparatus, contributes to the reproduction of power relations.
Sociological terminology (Althusserian concept): 'جهاز أيديولوجي للدولة'.
إن تسطيح الوعي هو إحدى التبعات الحتمية لهيمنة ثقافة التلفاز الاستهلاكية.
The flattening of consciousness is one of the inevitable consequences of the dominance of consumerist television culture.
Complex noun phrases: 'تسطيح الوعي' (flattening of consciousness).
الجماليات التلفازية المعاصرة تميل نحو طمس الحدود بين الواقع والافتراض.
Contemporary television aesthetics tend towards blurring the boundaries between reality and virtuality.
Artistic/media theory vocabulary: 'الجماليات' (aesthetics), 'طمس الحدود' (blurring boundaries).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Often Confused With
Idioms & Expressions
Easily Confused
Sentence Patterns
How to Use It
When referring to the physical object, you can say 'جهاز التلفاز' (the television device) to be highly specific.
'تلفاز' is the standard MSA word. It is required in formal writing, news, and academic contexts.
'تلفزيون' is the dominant word in almost all spoken Arabic dialects.
- Using a feminine adjective: Saying 'تلفاز جديدة' instead of the correct 'تلفاز جديد'.
- Using the wrong verb: Saying 'أنظر التلفاز' (I look at the TV) instead of 'أشاهد التلفاز' (I watch the TV).
- Wrong preposition: Saying 'في التلفاز' (in the TV) instead of 'على التلفاز' (on the TV) for broadcasts.
- Mispronunciation: Pronouncing the 'ت' as a heavy 'ط' (طلفاز).
- Overusing formal MSA: Insisting on 'تلفاز' in a very casual, dialect-heavy conversation where 'تلفزيون' is expected.
Tips
Masculine Agreement
Always remember that 'تلفاز' is masculine. Practice saying 'تلفاز جديد' (new TV) to build the habit of masculine agreement.
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'تلفاز' when writing an essay or taking an Arabic test. Use 'تلفزيون' when chatting with Arab friends at a cafe.
The Verb 'To Watch'
Link the word 'تلفاز' permanently in your mind with the verb 'شاهد' (shahada). They are best friends in Arabic sentences.
On the TV
Don't translate 'in the TV' literally. Always use 'على' (on) when talking about broadcasts: 'برنامج على التلفاز'.
Soft T Sound
Ensure you pronounce the first letter as a soft 'ت' (taa), not a heavy 'ط' (taa). A heavy 'ط' changes the accent completely.
Ramadan TV
If you want to practice listening, search for 'مسلسلات رمضان' (Ramadan series) on YouTube. They are a huge part of TV culture.
Learn the Parts
Expand your vocabulary by learning parts of the TV: 'شاشة' (screen), 'جهاز تحكم' (remote control), 'سلك' (cable).
Glued to the Screen
Learn the phrase 'تسمر أمام التلفاز' (glued/nailed in front of the TV) to describe someone watching intently.
News Broadcasts
Watch Al Jazeera or Al Arabiya for 5 minutes a day. You will hear the formal word 'تلفاز' used perfectly in context.
Spelling the Alif
Don't forget the long 'a' (alif) in the middle of the word. It is spelled تلفاز, not تلفز.
Memorize It
Word Origin
Modern Standard Arabic adaptation
Cultural Context
Watching football on a TV in a local 'Ahwa' (cafe) is a deeply ingrained social activity for men in many Arab countries.
Due to political volatility, news broadcasts on TV are heavily consumed and discussed daily.
Ramadan is the peak season for TV production in the Arab world, similar to the Super Bowl season for advertising in the US.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Conversation Starters
"ما هو برنامجك المفضل على التلفاز؟ (What is your favorite TV program?)"
"كم ساعة تشاهد التلفاز في اليوم؟ (How many hours do you watch TV a day?)"
"هل تفضل مشاهدة التلفاز أم تصفح الإنترنت؟ (Do you prefer watching TV or browsing the internet?)"
"هل اشتريت تلفازاً جديداً؟ (Did you buy a new TV?)"
"ماذا يوجد على التلفاز الليلة؟ (What is on TV tonight?)"
Journal Prompts
Describe your favorite television show and why you like it.
Write about a time when a news broadcast on TV shocked or surprised you.
How has the way you watch television changed since you were a child?
Do you think television has a positive or negative impact on society? Explain.
Describe the television set in your living room and where it is placed.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe word 'تلفاز' is strictly masculine in Arabic. Any adjectives or pronouns referring to it must also be masculine. For example, you say 'تلفاز كبير' (a big TV), not 'تلفاز كبيرة'.
Yes, 'تلفزيون' is widely used and understood. In fact, it is the preferred term in everyday spoken dialects. However, in formal writing or Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), 'تلفاز' is the correct term.
The plural is 'تلفازات' (tilfāzāt). However, it is relatively rare to use the plural form unless you are specifically talking about multiple physical television sets, like in an electronics store.
The correct verb is 'شاهد' (shahada). You say 'أشاهد التلفاز' (I watch TV). Do not use 'رأى' (ra'a - to see) or 'نظر' (nadhara - to look).
Use the preposition 'على' (ala). The phrase is 'على التلفاز' (ala at-tilfāz). For example, 'شاهدته على التلفاز' means 'I saw it on TV'.
It refers to both. You can use it to talk about the physical plastic and glass object ('The TV is heavy'), or the medium of broadcasting ('There is nothing good on TV').
It is pronounced 'til-fāz'. The 'i' is short, the 'a' is long, and the stress is on the second syllable. Make sure the 't' is soft.
A Smart TV is called 'تلفاز ذكي' (tilfāz dhakī). 'ذكي' means smart or intelligent, and it follows the noun as an adjective.
No, 'تلفاز' is a modern invention and a modern word. It does not appear in classical Arabic texts or the Quran.
To turn on the TV, use 'شغّل' (shaghghil): 'شغّل التلفاز'. To turn it off, use 'أغلق' (aghliq) or 'أطفئ' (atfi'): 'أغلق التلفاز'.
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Summary
The word 'تلفاز' (tilfāz) is the formal Arabic term for television. While universally understood, it is primarily used in formal writing and news broadcasts, whereas everyday speech often favors the loanword 'تلفزيون' (televizyoon). Always treat it as a masculine noun.
- A common household electronic device used for watching programs, news, and movies.
- A primary medium for mass communication and entertainment across the globe.
- A masculine noun in Arabic, typically paired with the verb 'شاهد' (to watch).
- Often replaced by the colloquial loanword 'تلفزيون' in everyday spoken Arabic dialects.
Masculine Agreement
Always remember that 'تلفاز' is masculine. Practice saying 'تلفاز جديد' (new TV) to build the habit of masculine agreement.
Formal vs. Informal
Use 'تلفاز' when writing an essay or taking an Arabic test. Use 'تلفزيون' when chatting with Arab friends at a cafe.
The Verb 'To Watch'
Link the word 'تلفاز' permanently in your mind with the verb 'شاهد' (shahada). They are best friends in Arabic sentences.
On the TV
Don't translate 'in the TV' literally. Always use 'على' (on) when talking about broadcasts: 'برنامج على التلفاز'.
Example
أشاهد الأخبار على التلفاز كل مساء.
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علبة
A2A container, typically made of cardboard or metal, for holding goods.
علية
A2Attic; a space or room inside the roof of a building.
إبريق
A2A container with a handle and spout, used for holding and pouring liquids.
إضاءة
A2The arrangement of lights to illuminate something.
أغسل
A1I wash, to clean with water and soap.
أجهزة
B1Mechanical or electronic tools and machines designed to perform specific tasks in the home, like washing machines, fridges, or ovens.
أجرة
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البيت
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أنظف
A1I clean, to make something free of dirt or mess.
أرضية
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