Tele Meaning in English

word

US

ˈtɛɫə/, /ˈtɛɫi

TEL-uh or TEL-ee

UK

ˈtɛli

TEL-ee

Definition

An informal, short form for 'television' or, less commonly, 'telephone', mostly used in British English.

Usage & Nuances

'Tele' is informal and far more common in British than American English. Most often refers to 'television' (“watching tele”); rarely, to 'telephone'. Less common in formal writing. Similar to 'telly', but 'tele' is shorter.

• Spanish: tele (televisión) - tele (teléfono, coloquial)
• Portuguese (BR): tele (televisão) - tele (telefone, informal)
• Portuguese (PT): tele (televisão) - tele (telefone, informal)
• Chinese (Simplified): 电视（口语） - 电话（口语）
• Chinese (Traditional): 電視（口語） - 電話（口語）
• Hindi: टीवी (बोलचाल) - टेलीफोन (अनौपचारिक)
• Arabic: تلفزيون (عامية) - تليفون (عامية)
• Bengali: টেলে (টেলিভিশনের জন্য)
• Russian: теле (разг. телевидение)
• Japanese: テレ (テレビの略)
• Vietnamese: tivi (thường cho 'television')
• Korean: 텔레 (텔레비전의 줄임말)
• Turkish: tele (televizyon için)
• Urdu: ٹیلے (ٹیلی ویژن کے لیے، غیر رسمی)
• Indonesian: tele (televi/telepon, biasanya televisi)

Example Sentences

I watched a movie on the tele last night.

basic

Can you turn down the tele?

basic

The football match is on the tele tonight.

basic

Let's just relax and watch some tele after dinner.

natural

Have you seen the news on the tele today?

natural

My grandma still calls to chat on the tele sometimes.

natural