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Spanish Phrase

Mi tele no funciona.

/mi ˈte.le no funθiˈo.na/
Meaning"My TV doesn't work."
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Meaning

The speaker is saying that their television is not working. It can refer to any kind of malfunction, from a dead screen to a lack of power, and is a quick way to explain why you can’t watch TV at the moment.

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When to use

Use this sentence when your TV breaks down, when you need to ask for help from a family member or technician, or when you’re giving a reason for not being able to watch a program.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Mitelenofunciona.

1

Possessive adjective

"Mi" is a possessive adjective meaning "my" and agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies.

2

Colloquial noun

"Tele" is an informal abbreviation of "televisor" (television) commonly used in everyday speech.

3

Negation

"No" precedes the verb to negate the statement, equivalent to "does not" in English.

4

Verb conjugation

"Funciona" is the third‑person singular present indicative of "funcionar" (to work/function). The subject is implied (la tele).

🗨In Conversation

A

¿Por qué no vemos la película?

Why aren't we watching the movie?

Mi tele no funciona.

My TV doesn't work.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Mi la tele no funciona.

    Do not use the definite article "la" together with the possessive adjective; the possessive already specifies the noun.

  • No funciona mi tele.

    While grammatically possible, the usual word order places the possessive before the noun: "Mi tele no funciona."

  • Mi tele no funciona nada.

    Adding "nada" changes the meaning to "My TV doesn't work at all," which is stronger than the neutral statement; use only if you intend that emphasis.

↔Alternatives

  • Mi televisor no funciona.

    My television doesn't work.

  • Mi tele está rota.

    My TV is broken.

  • No enciende mi tele.

    My TV won't turn on.

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Cultural Tip

In most Spanish‑speaking countries "tele" is the everyday, informal way to refer to a TV, while "televisor" sounds a bit more formal or technical. "Funcionar" is used for any device that works, so you can also say "Mi móvil no funciona" or "El ordenador no funciona". When the damage is permanent, speakers often prefer "está rota" or "está dañada".