テレビ
てれび
terebi
= television / TV
テレビ (terebi) is the Japanese word for television — one of the most familiar English loanwords in Japanese, used by everyone from toddlers to grandparents. But the role of terebi in Japanese daily life and culture goes well beyond simply watching shows.
Terebi comes from the English word ‘television’ and refers both to the physical device (the TV set) and to television programming broadly. テレビを見る (terebi wo miru — to watch TV), テレビをつける (terebi wo tsukeru — to turn on the TV), and テレビに出る (terebi ni deru — to appear on TV) are all common phrases. The word can also refer to a television channel: ‘どのテレビ?’ (dono terebi? — which channel?).
テレビ番組 (terebi bangumi) means a TV program or show. テレビ局 (terebi kyoku) means a TV station or broadcaster. 地上波テレビ (chijouha terebi) is terrestrial/free-to-air TV, as opposed to ケーブルテレビ (keeburu terebi — cable TV). In casual speech, people often just say テレビ to mean ‘the TV,’ letting context clarify whether they mean the device or a channel.
Everyday use
夕ご飯のとき、いつもテレビをつけている。
Yuugohan no toki, itsumo terebi wo tsukete iru.
I always have the TV on during dinner.
Casual / Social Media
テレビ出たーーー！！録画してたよ笑
Terebi deta—!! Rokuга shiteta yo w
I was on TV!! I recorded it lol
Formal / Cultural context
テレビは長年、日本における情報と娯楽の主要な媒体として社会に浸透してきた。
Terebi wa naganen, Nihon ni okeru jouhou to goraku no shuyou na baita toshite shakai ni shintou shite kita.
Television has long permeated Japanese society as the primary medium for information and entertainment.
Television has a special place in Japanese family life and national culture. Japanese TV is famous for its variety shows (バラエティ番組, baraeti bangumi), which blend comedy, games, food, and celebrity chat in a format that has few international equivalents. Japanese variety shows often feature comedians (芸人, geinin) performing scripted and unscripted segments, and the shows run for hours — the format rewards patient, ambient viewing that fits naturally into home life.
In recent years, テレビ离れ (terebi-banare — TV exodus) has become a widely discussed social phenomenon, particularly among younger generations who consume content through YouTube, Netflix, and streaming platforms instead. Japanese broadcasters have responded by developing stronger online presences, but the cultural authority of terrestrial television — especially NHK and the major commercial networks — remains significant for older demographics and breaking news.
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