Meaning
Watching TV.
Cultural Background
In Kenya, the 7 PM and 9 PM news broadcasts are cultural touchstones. Families often stop everything to 'tazama televisheni' for the news in Swahili. Tanzanian television often features 'Tamthilia' (soap operas) from local producers or dubbed Turkish/Indian series which are extremely popular. Younger generations are moving toward 'YouTube' and 'Netflix', but they still use the phrase 'tazama televisheni' even if they are using a smart TV. In villages, a single TV in a shop or bar can be a community hub where dozens of people 'tazama televisheni' together for football matches.
Use 'TV'
If 'televisheni' feels too long, just say 'TV'. Everyone in East Africa understands it and it's very common in casual speech.
Avoid 'Ona'
Remember that 'ona' is for seeing a physical object. If you say 'Ninaona TV', people might think you are just pointing at the box, not watching a show.
Meaning
Watching TV.
Use 'TV'
If 'televisheni' feels too long, just say 'TV'. Everyone in East Africa understands it and it's very common in casual speech.
Avoid 'Ona'
Remember that 'ona' is for seeing a physical object. If you say 'Ninaona TV', people might think you are just pointing at the box, not watching a show.
Learn 'Kipindi'
Pair 'tazama televisheni' with 'kipindi' (program) to sound more natural. 'Ninatazama kipindi cha habari'.
News is King
If you want to start a conversation, ask about the 'Habari' (news). It's the most common thing people watch.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct subject prefix for 'I am watching TV'.
___natazama televisheni.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
Which verb is best for 'watching' a program?
Mimi ninapenda ____ televisheni.
'Kutazama' means to watch intentionally, while 'kuona' is just to see.
Match the Swahili phrase to its English translation.
Match the following:
These show the present, past, and future tenses of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Unafanya nini? B: Ninatazama _______.
You watch (tazama) a television, you don't watch food or sleep.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of TV Content
Vipindi
- • Habari (News)
- • Tamthilia (Soap Opera)
- • Mpira (Football)
- • Filamu (Movie)
Practice Bank
4 exercises___natazama televisheni.
'Ni-' is the subject prefix for 'I' in Swahili.
Mimi ninapenda ____ televisheni.
'Kutazama' means to watch intentionally, while 'kuona' is just to see.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These show the present, past, and future tenses of the phrase.
A: Unafanya nini? B: Ninatazama _______.
You watch (tazama) a television, you don't watch food or sleep.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, you can also use 'runinga' (formal) or simply 'TV' (informal).
Yes, 'angalia' is very common in Kenya and is perfectly understood for watching TV.
You say 'Nilitazama televisheni'. The '-li-' marker indicates the past tense.
It remains 'televisheni'. It belongs to the N-class, which doesn't change in plural.
It's not rude, but it is very informal (slang). Use it with friends, not your boss.
Yes, though they are more likely to use 'runinga' in formal broadcasts than Kenyans are.
Say 'Sitazami televisheni'.
Technically no, you would say 'tazama simu' or 'tazama filamu kwenye simu'.
'Tazama' is the standard spelling. 'Tizama' is a common spoken variation in some regions.
It is a loanword from English, but it is fully integrated into the Swahili language.
Related Phrases
Washa televisheni
builds onTurn on the TV
Zima televisheni
builds onTurn off the TV
Badilisha stesheni
similarChange the channel
Kipindi cha televisheni
specialized formTV program
Rimoti ya televisheni
similarTV remote
