Inklingo

How to Say "broadcast" in Spanish

English → Spanish

transmisión

nounA2
Use 'transmisión' when referring to the actual broadcast event or program on television, radio, or the internet.

Examples

La transmisión del partido de fútbol duró dos horas.

The broadcast of the soccer game lasted two hours.

pon

/pon//pon/

verbA2informal
Use 'pon' as an informal, affirmative command to tell someone to turn on or play something, like a TV show or music.
A finger pressing a glowing green power button on a simple, rounded white lamp, illustrating the action of activation.

Examples

¡Pon la televisión, por favor! Quiero ver las noticias.

Turn on the television, please! I want to watch the news.

¡Pon mucha crema solar! El sol está muy fuerte.

Put on a lot of sunscreen! The sun is very strong.

Pon tu alarma para las siete de la mañana.

Set your alarm for seven in the morning.

Using 'Poner' for Technology

In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'poner' (pon) is the most common verb used to tell someone to turn on a TV, radio, or music, instead of the more literal 'encender'.

pongan

POHN-gahn/ˈpoŋ.ɡan/

verbB1
Use 'pongan' as a formal or plural affirmative command, or to express a desire that someone else starts a broadcast (e.g., 'they should play the music').
A finger pressing a switch to turn on a bright yellow table lamp, causing illumination.

Examples

¡Que pongan la música ya!

They should play the music already!

Les pedimos que pongan la calefacción.

We ask you all to turn on the heating.

Cuando lleguen, pongan ese canal de noticias.

When you all arrive, turn on that news channel.

Mixing up 'poner' and 'encender'

Mistake: “Sometimes learners use 'encender' (to light/turn on) for media, when 'poner' is more common.”

Correction: Use 'poner' (pongan) when you mean 'play' or 'put on' a movie, show, or music. Use 'encender' for simple light switches.

Command vs. Noun

Learners often confuse the command forms 'pon'/'pongan' with the noun 'transmisión'. Remember that 'pon' and 'pongan' are verbs used to tell someone to *do* something (like turn on a broadcast), while 'transmisión' refers to the broadcast *itself*.

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