A1 Collocation Neutral

Ver la televisión.

To watch television.

Practice it

Meaning

To look at and follow a TV program.

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Cultural Background

The 'Telediario' on TVE is a national institution. Many families still coordinate their dinner time to watch the 9:00 PM news together. Telenovelas are a massive part of the TV culture. 'Ver la televisión' often specifically implies watching the latest episode of a popular drama. It is very common to use 'mirar' instead of 'ver'. Using 'ver' might sound slightly formal or foreign in a very casual Buenos Aires setting.

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Sound like a native

Always use 'la tele' instead of 'la televisión' in casual conversation. It sounds much more natural.

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Watch the gender

Never say 'el televisión'. It's always feminine: 'la televisión'.

Meaning

To look at and follow a TV program.

🎯

Sound like a native

Always use 'la tele' instead of 'la televisión' in casual conversation. It sounds much more natural.

⚠️

Watch the gender

Never say 'el televisión'. It's always feminine: 'la televisión'.

Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ver' in the present tense.

Yo ___ la televisión todas las noches.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: veo

The first person singular (yo) of 'ver' is 'veo'.

Which sentence is correct in a casual conversation in Spain?

Choose the most natural option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy a ver la tele.

'La tele' is the natural informal form, and 'ver' is preferred in Spain.

Match the Spanish phrase with its English meaning.

Match the following:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ver la tele - Watch TV

These are essential TV-related vocabulary items.

Complete the dialogue.

Ana: ¿Qué haces? Luis: Estoy ____ la televisión.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viendo

The gerund 'viendo' is used with 'estar' to describe an ongoing action.

🎉 Score: /4

Visual Learning Aids

TV Vocabulary

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Actions

  • • Ver
  • • Poner
  • • Cambiar
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Objects

  • • La tele
  • • El mando
  • • La pantalla

Practice Bank

4 exercises
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'ver' in the present tense. Fill Blank A1

Yo ___ la televisión todas las noches.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: veo

The first person singular (yo) of 'ver' is 'veo'.

Which sentence is correct in a casual conversation in Spain? Choose A1

Choose the most natural option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Voy a ver la tele.

'La tele' is the natural informal form, and 'ver' is preferred in Spain.

Match the Spanish phrase with its English meaning. Match A1

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ver la tele - Watch TV

These are essential TV-related vocabulary items.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

Ana: ¿Qué haces? Luis: Estoy ____ la televisión.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: viendo

The gerund 'viendo' is used with 'estar' to describe an ongoing action.

🎉 Score: /4

Frequently Asked Questions

3 questions

In Spain, 'ver la televisión' is standard. In Latin America, both are used, but 'ver televisión' is more common there than in Spain.

Yes! Even if you aren't watching broadcast TV, if you are using the TV set, you say 'ver la televisión'.

'Televisión' is the medium or the content. 'Televisor' is the physical electronic device.

Related Phrases

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Poner la tele

builds on

To turn on the TV.

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Hacer zapping

specialized form

To channel hop.

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Estar pegado a la tele

idiom

To be glued to the TV.

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