tele-
/tel.ɪ-/ (bre, ipa) · /tel.ə-/ (ame, ipa)
tele- — 字首
1. used before a noun or adjective to show that something happens, exists, or works
遠距
表示「遠距離的；從遠處」
used before a noun or adjective to show that something happens, exists, or works over a very long distance, rather than nearby
A telescope lets Noor see stars and planets that are millions of miles away.
Noor 可以用望遠鏡看到數百萬英里外的恆星和行星。
tele- + scope = instrument for viewing distant objects
Jiwoo read about telepathy and wondered if thoughts could really travel between minds.
Jiwoo 讀了一篇關於心靈感應的科學文章，好奇意念是否真的能跨越心靈傳遞。
tele- + pathy = communication across distance
In science fiction films, characters can teleport instantly from one planet to another.
在科幻電影中，角色可以瞬間從一個星球傳送到另一個星球。
Teleconference software allows Adina to join a meeting in Paris while sitting in her Taipei office.
視訊會議軟體讓 Adina 坐在臺北辦公室就能參加巴黎的會議。
- long-distance
used as an adjective for travel or communication, while tele- is a bound prefix
- remote
describes a location, while tele- always attaches to a noun it modifies
- close-range
describes something happening nearby, contrasting with the 'distant' meaning of tele-
- local
describes something restricted to a small area
文法句型
tele- + [noun/adjective]
用法筆記
This is the original Greek meaning of 'tele-'. Many modern technology words still build on this core sense of distance (telemedicine, telecommuting, telesurgery).
常見錯誤
2. used to form words connected with the telephone system or communication by phone
電話
表示與電話通訊有關
used to form words connected with the telephone system or communication by phone
Tanvi picked up the telephone and dialled her grandmother's number in Mumbai.
Tanvi 拿起電話，撥打住在孟買的奶奶的號碼。
tele- + phone = device for distant voice communication
Fumiko chatted on the telephone with her cousin in Kyoto every Sunday morning.
Fumiko 每週日早上都透過電話與住在京都的表姐聊天。
Lots of people hang up immediately when a telemarketer calls during dinner.
很多人在晚餐時間接到電話行銷來電時會直接掛斷。
Modern telephony allows Leo to make video calls on his phone to colleagues in Brazil.
現代的電話通訊技術讓 Leo 能用手機與巴西的同事進行視訊通話。
- phone
a standalone noun, while tele- is a prefix that needs a base
文法句型
tele- + [noun/verb]
用法筆記
Not every word beginning with 'tele-' relates to telephone (e.g. telescope uses the 'distant' sense). Context tells you which meaning applies.
常見錯誤
3. used to form words connected with television broadcasting, watching TV programme
電視
表示與電視廣播有關
used to form words connected with television broadcasting, watching TV programmes, or TV production
Marta watches the evening news on television every night after dinner.
Marta 每天晚餐後都會看電視晚間新聞。
tele- + vision = broadcasting moving pictures over distance
The evening telecast of the awards ceremony reached over ten million viewers in Japan.
頒獎典禮的晚間電視轉播傳送給日本超過一千萬名觀眾。
The television broadcast of the World Cup final reached over a billion viewers worldwide.
世界盃決賽的電視轉播全球有超過十億人收看。
Teleshopping channels let Jessica buy kitchen gadgets without leaving her sofa.
電視購物頻道讓 Jessica 不必離開沙發就能買到廚房用具。
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense has become less productive with the rise of streaming — 'tele-' in new words now more often refers to telecommunications rather than TV specifically.
4. used to form words about modern communication systems that exchange information
電信
表示與電信網路通訊有關
used to form words about modern communication systems that exchange information electronically over networks, including the internet
The telecommunications company installed fibre-optic cables across the entire city of Busan.
這家電信公司在整個釜山市鋪設了光纖電纜。
tele- + communications = electronic information exchange networks
Niran offers online tutoring sessions through a telelearning platform.
Niran 透過遠距學習平臺提供線上家教課程。
Rural hospitals now use telemedicine to connect patients with heart specialists in Tokyo.
偏鄉醫院現在利用遠距醫療讓心臟病患者與東京的專科醫生連線。
The university launched a teleeducation programme for students who live on remote islands.
這所大學為住在偏遠島嶼的學生推出了遠距教育課程。
Telebanking allows Otis to check his account balance and transfer money using his phone.
遠距銀行服務讓 Otis 可以用手機查詢帳戶餘額和轉帳。
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This is the most productive modern sense of 'tele-'. New technology terms frequently use this prefix (telehealth, telework, teleconferencing).
5. used in the past to form nouns connected with sending written messages over long
電報
表示與電報通訊有關（歷史用法）
used in the past to form nouns connected with sending written messages over long distances using telegraph wires
Ezra sent a telegram to announce that his ship had arrived safely in New York harbour.
Ezra 發了一封電報，通知大家他的船已安全抵達紐約港。
tele- + gram = message sent by telegraph
In the nineteenth century, the telegraph changed how quickly people could share news across continents.
在十九世紀，電報改變了人們跨洲分享新聞的速度。
The telegraph operator tapped out a message in Morse code for the railway station manager.
電報操作員用摩斯密碼向火車站長敲出一則訊息。
My great-grandfather worked as a telegraph clerk in a small post office in the 1920s.
我曾祖父在 1920 年代在一間小郵局擔任電報員。
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is historical. Modern equivalents include email, SMS, and instant messaging, so new words using 'tele-' for telegraphy are no longer created.
tele- — 名詞
1. an informal short form of the word 'television', used especially in everyday spe
電視簡稱
television 的非正式簡稱
an informal short form of the word 'television', used especially in everyday speech and casual writing
What time does the football match start on tele tonight?
今晚電視幾點播足球賽？
tele as standalone noun meaning television
Noor watched an old film on tele because the rain kept everyone indoors.
因為下雨大家都待在家裡，Noor 看了一部電視上播的老電影。
Jiwoo's grandad calls every evening at seven to ask what is on tele.
Jiwoo 的爺爺每天晚上七點打電話來問電視上有什麼節目。
There was nothing interesting on tele, so Tanvi read a book instead.
電視上沒什麼好看的節目，所以 Tanvi 看書去了。
- TV
the standard abbreviation used in both British and American English
- television
the full form, appropriate for formal writing
文法句型
tele as a standalone noun
用法筆記
This abbreviated form is most common in British English ('What's on tele?'). In American English, 'TV' is the standard short form. 'Tele' in this sense is almost never written in formal contexts.