📺 TV & Video Games

⏱ 15 min read

In this lesson you will learn useful everyday English vocabulary and expressions for talking about television, TV shows, streaming, watching your favorite series, video games, consoles, and playing games online with friends. Each English word or phrase includes a simple meaning plus translations in several languages.

🟢 Basic TV & Gaming Vocabulary

📺 Television / TV
a screen used to watch shows and movies
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Televisión / Tele
🇫🇷 French: Télévision / Télé
🇩🇪 German: Fernsehen / TV
🇮🇹 Italian: Televisione / TV
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Televisão / TV
🎮 Video game
a game you play on a screen
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Videojuego
🇫🇷 French: Jeu vidéo
🇩🇪 German: Videospiel
🇮🇹 Italian: Videogioco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Videogame / Jogo de vídeo
🎬 TV show / Program
something made to watch on television
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Programa de televisión
🇫🇷 French: Émission de télévision / Programme
🇩🇪 German: Fernsehsendung / Programm
🇮🇹 Italian: Programma televisivo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Programa de televisão
📺 Series
a story told in many episodes
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Serie
🇫🇷 French: Série
🇩🇪 German: Serie
🇮🇹 Italian: Serie
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Série
📡 Channel
a TV station that shows programs
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Canal
🇫🇷 French: Chaîne
🇩🇪 German: Sender / Kanal
🇮🇹 Italian: Canale
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Canal
🕹️ Console
a machine made for playing video games
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Consola
🇫🇷 French: Console
🇩🇪 German: Konsole
🇮🇹 Italian: Console
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Console

🟡 Television & Streaming Vocabulary

📱 Streaming
watching shows over the internet
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Streaming / Transmisión en línea
🇫🇷 French: Streaming / Diffusion en continu
🇩🇪 German: Streaming
🇮🇹 Italian: Streaming
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Streaming / Transmissão online
🍿 Episode
one part of a series
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Episodio
🇫🇷 French: Épisode
🇩🇪 German: Episode / Folge
🇮🇹 Italian: Episodio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Episódio
📺 Season
a group of episodes released together
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Temporada
🇫🇷 French: Saison
🇩🇪 German: Staffel
🇮🇹 Italian: Stagione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Temporada
📰 News
programs that tell what is happening in the world
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Noticias
🇫🇷 French: Actualités / Informations
🇩🇪 German: Nachrichten
🇮🇹 Italian: Notizie
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Notícias
🔴 Live
happening now, not recorded earlier
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: En vivo / En directo
🇫🇷 French: En direct / En live
🇩🇪 German: Live
🇮🇹 Italian: In diretta / Live
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ao vivo
📺 Screen
the part of the TV or monitor you look at
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Pantalla
🇫🇷 French: Écran
🇩🇪 German: Bildschirm
🇮🇹 Italian: Schermo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Tela

🎮 Video Game Vocabulary

🎮 Controller
the handheld device you use to play
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Control / Mando
🇫🇷 French: Manette
🇩🇪 German: Controller
🇮🇹 Italian: Controller / Joypad
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Controle / Comando
🏆 Player
a person who plays the game
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Jugador / Jugadora
🇫🇷 French: Joueur / Joueuse
🇩🇪 German: Spieler / Spielerin
🇮🇹 Italian: Giocatore / Giocatrice
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Jogador / Jogadora
🌐 Online
connected to the internet
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: En línea
🇫🇷 French: En ligne
🇩🇪 German: Online
🇮🇹 Italian: Online
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Online / Em linha
🎧 Headphones
speakers you wear on your ears to hear the game
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Audífonos / Auriculares
🇫🇷 French: Casque / Écouteurs
🇩🇪 German: Kopfhörer
🇮🇹 Italian: Cuffie
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Fones de ouvido / Auscultadores
🏅 Game / Match
one round of play
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Partida
🇫🇷 French: Partie / Match
🇩🇪 German: Spiel / Partie
🇮🇹 Italian: Partita
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Partida
⬆️ Level
a stage in a game that gets harder as you go
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Nivel
🇫🇷 French: Niveau
🇩🇪 German: Level / Stufe
🇮🇹 Italian: Livello
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nível
👥 Multiplayer
a mode where more than one person can play
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Multijugador
🇫🇷 French: Multijoueur
🇩🇪 German: Mehrspieler / Multiplayer
🇮🇹 Italian: Multigiocatore
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Multijogador
🎯 To win
to finish first or beat the other players
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Ganar
🇫🇷 French: Gagner
🇩🇪 German: Gewinnen
🇮🇹 Italian: Vincere
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ganhar

▶️ TV & Gaming Actions

📺 To watch
to look at a show or game on a screen
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Ver
🇫🇷 French: Regarder
🇩🇪 German: Schauen / Sehen
🇮🇹 Italian: Guardare
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Assistir / Ver
🎮 To play
to take part in a video game
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Jugar
🇫🇷 French: Jouer
🇩🇪 German: Spielen
🇮🇹 Italian: Giocare
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Jogar
🔛 To turn on
to start the TV or console
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Encender
🇫🇷 French: Allumer
🇩🇪 German: Einschalten
🇮🇹 Italian: Accendere
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Ligar
⏹️ To turn off
to stop the TV or console
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Apagar
🇫🇷 French: Éteindre
🇩🇪 German: Ausschalten
🇮🇹 Italian: Spegnere
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Desligar
⏸️ To pause
to stop for a moment and continue later
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Pausar
🇫🇷 French: Mettre en pause
🇩🇪 German: Pausieren
🇮🇹 Italian: Mettere in pausa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Pausar
⬇️ To download
to copy a game or show onto your device
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Descargar
🇫🇷 French: Télécharger
🇩🇪 German: Herunterladen
🇮🇹 Italian: Scaricare
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Baixar / Descarregar

🧠 Talking About TV & Video Games

💡 Use watch when talking about television, a series, or an episode.
I watch television at night.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Veo la televisión por la noche.
🇫🇷 Je regarde la télévision le soir.
🇩🇪 Ich schaue abends fern.
🇮🇹 Guardo la televisione di sera.
🇵🇹 Eu assisto televisão à noite.
I am watching a new series.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Estoy viendo una serie nueva.
🇫🇷 Je regarde une nouvelle série.
🇩🇪 Ich schaue eine neue Serie.
🇮🇹 Sto guardando una nuova serie.
🇵🇹 Estou assistindo a uma série nova.
💡 Use play when talking about playing a particular game or type of game.
I play video games with my friends.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Juego a videojuegos con mis amigos.
🇫🇷 Je joue aux jeux vidéo avec mes amis.
🇩🇪 Ich spiele Videospiele mit meinen Freunden.
🇮🇹 Gioco ai videogiochi con i miei amici.
🇵🇹 Eu jogo videogames com meus amigos.
We play online on weekends.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Jugamos en línea los fines de semana.
🇫🇷 Nous jouons en ligne le week-end.
🇩🇪 Wir spielen am Wochenende online.
🇮🇹 Giochiamo online nei fine settimana.
🇵🇹 Nós jogamos online nos fins de semana.
💡 Use like to talk about shows, series, or games you enjoy.
I like this series.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Me gusta esta serie.
🇫🇷 J'aime cette série.
🇩🇪 Mir gefällt diese Serie.
🇮🇹 Mi piace questa serie.
🇵🇹 Eu gosto desta série.
I like adventure video games.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Me gustan los videojuegos de aventura.
🇫🇷 J'aime les jeux vidéo d'aventure.
🇩🇪 Ich mag Abenteuer-Videospiele.
🇮🇹 Mi piacciono i videogiochi di avventura.
🇵🇹 Eu gosto de jogos de aventura.

❓ Useful Questions

📺 What is your favorite series?
asking which series you enjoy most
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Cuál es tu serie favorita?
🇫🇷 French: Quelle est ta série préférée ?
🇩🇪 German: Was ist deine Lieblingsserie?
🇮🇹 Italian: Qual è la tua serie preferita?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Qual é a sua série favorita?
🍿 Have you seen this episode?
asking if you already watched this part
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Has visto este episodio?
🇫🇷 French: As-tu vu cet épisode ?
🇩🇪 German: Hast du diese Episode gesehen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Hai visto questo episodio?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você já viu este episódio?
🎮 What video games do you like?
asking which games you enjoy
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Qué videojuegos te gustan?
🇫🇷 French: Quels jeux vidéo aimes-tu ?
🇩🇪 German: Welche Videospiele magst du?
🇮🇹 Italian: Quali videogiochi ti piacciono?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Quais videogames você gosta?
🌐 Do you want to play online?
inviting someone to play over the internet
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Quieres jugar en línea?
🇫🇷 French: Tu veux jouer en ligne ?
🇩🇪 German: Willst du online spielen?
🇮🇹 Italian: Vuoi giocare online?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Você quer jogar online?
🎮 Where is the controller?
asking where the game pad is
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Dónde está el control?
🇫🇷 French: Où est la manette ?
🇩🇪 German: Wo ist der Controller?
🇮🇹 Italian: Dov'è il controller?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Onde está o controle?
📺 What are you watching?
asking which show is on the screen
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: ¿Qué estás viendo?
🇫🇷 French: Qu'est-ce que tu regardes ?
🇩🇪 German: Was schaust du?
🇮🇹 Italian: Cosa stai guardando?
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O que você está assistindo?

💬 Common TV & Gaming Phrases

📺 I am watching my favorite series.
your preferred show is on now
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Estoy viendo mi serie favorita.
🇫🇷 French: Je regarde ma série préférée.
🇩🇪 German: Ich schaue meine Lieblingsserie.
🇮🇹 Italian: Sto guardando la mia serie preferita.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estou assistindo à minha série favorita.
🎮 I play video games with my friends.
gaming is something you do together
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Juego a videojuegos con mis amigos.
🇫🇷 French: Je joue aux jeux vidéo avec mes amis.
🇩🇪 German: Ich spiele Videospiele mit meinen Freunden.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gioco ai videogiochi con i miei amici.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu jogo videogames com meus amigos.
🌐 We play online every night.
internet games are a nightly habit
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Jugamos en línea todas las noches.
🇫🇷 French: Nous jouons en ligne tous les soirs.
🇩🇪 German: Wir spielen jeden Abend online.
🇮🇹 Italian: Giochiamo online ogni sera.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nós jogamos online todas as noites.
🎧 I need my headphones to play.
you use headphones for sound while gaming
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Necesito mis audífonos para jugar.
🇫🇷 French: J'ai besoin de mon casque pour jouer.
🇩🇪 German: Ich brauche meine Kopfhörer zum Spielen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Ho bisogno delle mie cuffie per giocare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Eu preciso dos meus fones de ouvido para jogar.

💬 Everyday Conversations

Talking about a TV series
asking what is on and if it is good
A: What are you watching?
B: I'm watching a new series.
A: Is it good?
B: Yes, I like it a lot.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 A: ¿Qué estás viendo?
🇪🇸 B: Estoy viendo una serie nueva.
🇪🇸 A: ¿Es buena?
🇪🇸 B: Sí, me gusta mucho.

🇫🇷 A: Qu'est-ce que tu regardes ?
🇫🇷 B: Je regarde une nouvelle série.
🇫🇷 A: Elle est bien ?
🇫🇷 B: Oui, je l'aime beaucoup.

🇩🇪 A: Was schaust du?
🇩🇪 B: Ich schaue eine neue Serie.
🇩🇪 A: Ist sie gut?
🇩🇪 B: Ja, sie gefällt mir sehr.

🇮🇹 A: Cosa stai guardando?
🇮🇹 B: Sto guardando una nuova serie.
🇮🇹 A: È bella?
🇮🇹 B: Sì, mi piace molto.

🇵🇹 A: O que você está assistindo?
🇵🇹 B: Estou assistindo a uma série nova.
🇵🇹 A: É boa?
🇵🇹 B: Sim, eu gosto muito.
Playing video games
setting up an online game with a friend
A: Do you want to play with me?
B: Yes. Shall we play online?
A: Sure. I'm going to turn on the console.
B: Perfect. I'll be ready in five minutes.
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 A: ¿Quieres jugar conmigo?
🇪🇸 B: Sí. ¿Jugamos en línea?
🇪🇸 A: Claro. Voy a encender la consola.
🇪🇸 B: Perfecto. Estaré listo en cinco minutos.

🇫🇷 A: Tu veux jouer avec moi ?
🇫🇷 B: Oui. On joue en ligne ?
🇫🇷 A: Bien sûr. Je vais allumer la console.
🇫🇷 B: Parfait. Je serai prêt dans cinq minutes.

🇩🇪 A: Willst du mit mir spielen?
🇩🇪 B: Ja. Spielen wir online?
🇩🇪 A: Klar. Ich schalte die Konsole ein.
🇩🇪 B: Perfekt. Ich bin in fünf Minuten bereit.

🇮🇹 A: Vuoi giocare con me?
🇮🇹 B: Sì. Giochiamo online?
🇮🇹 A: Certo. Sto per accendere la console.
🇮🇹 B: Perfetto. Sarò pronto tra cinque minuti.

🇵🇹 A: Você quer jogar comigo?
🇵🇹 B: Sim. Vamos jogar online?
🇵🇹 A: Claro. Vou ligar o console.
🇵🇹 B: Perfeito. Estarei pronto em cinco minutos.

📝 Example Sentences

🕹️ The console is very modern.
the game machine is new and up to date
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: La consola es muy moderna.
🇫🇷 French: La console est très moderne.
🇩🇪 German: Die Konsole ist sehr modern.
🇮🇹 Italian: La console è molto moderna.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O console é muito moderno.
🍿 This episode is very exciting.
this part of the series keeps you interested
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Este episodio es muy emocionante.
🇫🇷 French: Cet épisode est très passionnant.
🇩🇪 German: Diese Episode ist sehr spannend.
🇮🇹 Italian: Questo episodio è molto emozionante.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Este episódio é muito emocionante.
🏆 The player won the match.
that player finished first
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: El jugador ganó la partida.
🇫🇷 French: Le joueur a gagné la partie.
🇩🇪 German: Der Spieler hat das Spiel gewonnen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il giocatore ha vinto la partita.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O jogador ganhou a partida.
📡 The sports channel broadcasts live.
you can watch the event as it happens
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: El canal de deportes transmite en vivo.
🇫🇷 French: La chaîne de sport diffuse en direct.
🇩🇪 German: Der Sportsender überträgt live.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il canale sportivo trasmette in diretta.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O canal de esportes transmite ao vivo.
📺 The new season starts next week.
new episodes begin next week
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: La nueva temporada empieza la próxima semana.
🇫🇷 French: La nouvelle saison commence la semaine prochaine.
🇩🇪 German: Die neue Staffel beginnt nächste Woche.
🇮🇹 Italian: La nuova stagione inizia la prossima settimana.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A nova temporada começa na próxima semana.
🎮 This game has a multiplayer mode.
more than one person can play together
Show translationsHide translations🇪🇸 Spanish: Este juego tiene un modo multijugador.
🇫🇷 French: Ce jeu a un mode multijoueur.
🇩🇪 German: Dieses Spiel hat einen Mehrspielermodus.
🇮🇹 Italian: Questo gioco ha una modalità multigiocatore.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Este jogo tem um modo multijogador.

🏆 Final Practice

English in the Real World:

Read the situation. Choose the word or phrase that fits best. Do not pick a close TV or game word if a more precise one is on the page.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%