Say “Apaga la tele” with friends, or “Apague el televisor” when you want a polite tone.
You can learn Spanish from apps and textbooks, then blank out the first time you need a simple command at home. This phrase is one of those. You want the TV off, you want to sound normal, and you don’t want to come off rude.
This page gives you natural ways to say it, shows when each one fits, and helps you pick the right verb form for the person you’re talking to.
What You Mean When You Say It
In English, “turn off the TV” can be a command, a request, or a gentle reminder. Spanish carries those shades too, and it often marks them through the verb form. That’s why two people can express the same idea and sound different.
- Direct command: You want it done now.
- Polite request: You want cooperation, not friction.
- Suggestion: You’re proposing it for a reason, like bedtime.
How To Say ‘Turn Off The TV’ In Spanish For Polite Requests
Spanish gives you two common nouns for TV: la tele (casual) and el televisor (neutral). Both work across many regions.
“Apaga la tele” (Casual, Direct)
Apaga is the tú command of apagar (“to switch off”). Use it with family, close friends, or kids when a direct tone is fine.
- Apaga la tele, por favor.
- Apaga la tele ya.
“Apague el televisor” (Polite, Neutral)
Apague is the usted command. It’s a safe pick with adults you don’t know well, older relatives, or anyone you treat with respect.
- Apague el televisor, por favor.
- ¿Puede apagar el televisor?
The question form often lands softer than a straight command.
“Apaguen la tele” (Plural You)
If you’re talking to more than one person, use apaguen for ustedes (common across Latin America). In Spain, a group you’d call vosotros may use apagád la tele.
“¿La apagas?” (Soft, Conversational)
Instead of a command, you can ask a present-tense question: “Are you turning it off?” The tone can feel like a nudge, not a demand.
- ¿La apagas un momento?
- ¿Apagas la tele?
Pick The Right Command Form Fast
If Spanish “you” forms still feel slippery, use this path. Pick who you’re speaking to, then match the command.
- One person you call tú:Apaga…
- One person you call usted:Apague…
- A group (ustedes):Apaguen…
Pronunciation Tips That Save Awkward Moments
Most misunderstandings with this phrase come from stress and speed, not grammar. Slow down and hit the main syllable in the verb.
- a-PA-ga (apaga): the stress is on PA.
- a-PA-gue (apague): again, stress on PA.
- te-le-VI-sor (televisor): stress on VI.
If you say apaga too softly, it can blur into nearby words. If you punch the middle syllable, the listener catches it right away. With tele, keep it short: two clear beats, TE-le.
Which Verb To Use Besides Apagar
Apagar is the workhorse for lights, phones, and TVs. Still, you may hear other verbs that target a different action.
- Apagar: switch the device off with a button or remote.
- Desconectar: unplug it from power.
- Apagar la pantalla: switch off the screen on a device.
If someone says Desconecta la tele, they’re talking about the plug, not the remote. It can sound stronger, so use it only when you mean it.
Regional Notes Without Overthinking It
You’ll run into small differences across Spanish-speaking places. The good news: apagar is understood in all places.
Some people say la tele almost all the time. Others lean on el televisor in polite talk. You might also hear la televisión used for the device in some homes.
If you copy the phrasing your friends use, you’ll blend in fast. That line rarely misfires.
Common Add-Ons That Change The Tone
Spanish often adds small words that change the vibe. They’re simple, yet they matter in talk.
Add A Reason
- Apaga la tele, que ya es tarde.
- Apague el televisor, que necesito estudiar.
Ask For A Short Pause
- ¿Puedes apagar la tele un segundo?
- Apaga la tele un momento.
Offer To Do It Yourself
- ¿Quieres que la apague yo?
- Si quieres, la apago.
Next, here’s a side-by-side view so you can choose quickly.
| Spanish Phrase | When It Fits | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Apaga la tele. | Friends, family, kids | Direct tú command. |
| Apaga el televisor. | Neutral home talk | Same command, more formal noun. |
| Apague el televisor, por favor. | Polite with adults | Usted command; safe tone. |
| ¿Puede apagar el televisor? | Polite request | Question form; less forceful. |
| ¿La apagas? | Gentle nudge | Present tense question; casual. |
| Apaguen la tele. | Group (ustedes) | Use for more than one person. |
| ¿Puedes apagar la tele un momento? | Short interruption | Good for calls, homework, naps. |
| Si quieres, la apago. | Low-pressure offer | You volunteer; can ease pushback. |
Tele, Televisor, Or Televisión
- La tele: the most common casual choice in speech.
- El televisor: neutral and clear, used in stores and polite talk.
- La televisión: the full word; it can mean the device or the medium.
If you mean the physical screen in a room, tele or televisor tends to sound natural.
Small Grammar Traps
Don’t Mix “Enciende” And “Apaga”
Enciende means turn on. Apaga means turn off. Mixing them can cause a quick misunderstanding.
Why You Hear “La” Or “Lo”
If you replace “the TV” with a pronoun, you might hear Apágala (referring to la tele) or Apágalo (referring to el televisor). The pronoun matches the noun’s gender.
- ¿La apagas?
- ¿Lo apagas?
If pronouns feel stressful, keep the full noun. It still sounds fine.
Negative Commands
- No apagues la tele.
- No apague el televisor.
Short Scripts For Real Moments
Bedtime
Apaga la tele, que ya es hora de dormir.
Vale, ya la apago.
Studying Or A Call
¿Puedes apagar la tele un momento? Tengo una llamada.
Sí, claro.
Asking A Guest
¿Puede apagar el televisor, por favor? Se oye desde el pasillo.
Claro, disculpe.
Phrases For The Remote That Pair Well With This One
Once you know this command, you can add a small set that handles most living-room moments.
| What You Want | Spanish | When You’d Say It |
|---|---|---|
| Turn it on | Enciende la tele. | When the screen is off. |
| Lower the volume | Baja el volumen. | When it’s loud. |
| Raise the volume | Sube el volumen. | When it’s quiet. |
| Pause it | Pausa esto. | During streaming. |
| Play it | Dale play. | Common with apps. |
| Change the channel | Cambia el canal. | Traditional TV. |
| Put on subtitles | Pon subtítulos. | When you want captions. |
| Take off subtitles | Quita los subtítulos. | When captions block the screen. |
Practice In Five Minutes
- Say Apaga la tele ten times.
- Say Apague el televisor, por favor ten times.
- Ask ¿La apagas un momento? five times, with a calm voice.
- Do one script above, start to finish.
Quick Self-Check
- Am I speaking to tú or usted?
- Do I want a command or a request?
- Do I want tele or televisor for this room?
Answer those, then say your line. It’ll come out smooth.