Be on Meaning in English
expression
ˈbi/, /bi/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn
BEE-AHN
bˈiː/ /ˈɒn
BEE-ON
Definition
'Be on' means something is happening now, especially an event, a show is playing or something is switched on.
Usage & Nuances
Commonly refers to TVs, lights, or events currently happening or available. Used in informal and spoken contexts. Do not confuse with 'be onto' (discovering something). For TV, 'What's on?' means 'What's playing?'. Can also refer to scheduled events: 'The meeting is on.'
Spanish: estar encendido - estar en emisión - estar sucediendoPortuguese (BR): estar ligado - estar passando (TV) - estar acontecendoPortuguese (PT): estar ligado - estar a dar (TV) - estar a acontecerChinese (Simplified): 正在进行 - 开着（电器）- 正在播出Chinese (Traditional): 正在進行 - 開著（電器）- 正在播出Hindi: चल रहा है - चालू है (डिवाइस के लिए) - प्रसारित हो रहा हैArabic: يعمل - يعرض (على التلفاز) - جارٍBengali: চালু আছে - হচ্ছেRussian: включён - идет (о мероприятии)Japanese: ついている - 放送されている - 行われているVietnamese: đang bật - đang diễn raKorean: 켜져 있다 - 진행 중이다Turkish: açık - devam ediyorUrdu: چالو ہے - جاری ہےIndonesian: nyala - sedang berlangsung
Example Sentences
The TV is on in the living room.
basic
The meeting is on at 3 p.m.
basic
My favorite show is on tonight.
basic
Hey, the lights are on—did you forget to turn them off?
natural
Is the concert still on, or was it canceled?
natural
Let me check what is on TV right now.
natural