noun
television, TV
B1
Fernsehen (das) means 'television' or 'TV' as the medium or activity, not the physical set. It's a neuter, usually uncountable noun (genitive des Fernsehens). No regular plural; related plural concept for programmes is 'Fernsehsendungen'. Use 'Fernsehen schauen' to say 'to watch TV'.
Examples
Im Fernsehen läuft heute ein spannender Film.
There's an exciting film on TV tonight.
Abends schaue ich gerne Fernsehen.
In the evenings I like watching television.
Der Vater schaltete das Fernsehen aus, damit die Kinder früher ins Bett gingen.
The father turned off the television so that the children would go to bed earlier.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a glowing screen showing moving pictures that you 'see from far away'.
Think 'fern' (far) + 'sehen' (to see) — 'far-seeing' like watching images from afar.
das (neuter) — imagine the medium labelled 'das Fernsehen' as a neutral object.
Notes
As a noun, 'das Fernsehen' usually refers to the medium or the activity of watching TV. It is often used without a plural; when referring to individual programs or broadcasts, words like 'Fernsehsendungen' are used instead. | Singular-only noun; plural forms are not applicable.