tele
“tele” means “TV” in Spanish (Television set or the medium).
TV
Also: television
📝 In Action
¿Qué hay en la tele esta noche?
A1What's on TV tonight?
Compramos una tele nueva para el salón.
A2We bought a new television for the living room.
Pasa mucho tiempo mirando la tele.
A1She spends a lot of time watching TV.
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: tele
Question 1 of 1
If you are watching TV with a friend, which phrase is the most natural and informal way to ask them to turn the volume down?
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👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
This word is a classic example of an 'apocope,' meaning it was created by dropping the last part of a longer word. It comes directly from 'televisión,' which itself comes from the Greek root 'tele-' (meaning far or distant) and the Latin root 'visio' (meaning sight).
First recorded: Mid-20th century (following the popularization of television)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'tele' feminine if it ends in '-e'?
'Tele' is a nickname for 'la televisión,' which is a feminine word. When Spanish speakers shorten words like this, the nickname usually keeps the original word's gender, which is why we always say 'la tele'.
Can I use 'televisión' instead of 'tele'?
Yes! 'Televisión' is the full, proper word and can be used in any context. Using 'tele' just makes the conversation sound more relaxed and casual.