Spanish · Home, Clothes & Daily Life
"Phone" in Spanish: teléfono
el teléfono
Note: mobile: el celular; ES: el móvil
A phone is el teléfono (teh-LEH-foh-noh). It is masculine. For a mobile teléfono in Latin America, say celular; in Spain people say móvil.
At a café
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How to pronounce teléfono
Say it
teh-LEH-foh-noh
/teˈle.fo.no/
Four syllables: teh-LEH-foh-noh. Stress LEH. Soft f sound.
"Phone" in Spanish: quick reference
| Spanish | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| el teléfono | phone, telephone Any phone; also the device in general. | Any phone; also the device in general. |
| el celular | cell phone / mobile Latin American word for a mobile phone. | Latin American word for a mobile phone. |
| el móvil | mobile phone Spain's usual word for a cell phone. | Spain's usual word for a cell phone. |
| el número de teléfono | phone number Asking someone how to call them. | Asking someone how to call them. |
How to use teléfono in real life
- 1At a café
¿Me prestas tu teléfono un segundo?
Can I borrow your phone for a second?
Tu teléfono is a common ask among friends.
- 2Sharing contact info
Te dejo mi número de teléfono.
I'll leave you my phone number.
Número de teléfono is the full phrase.
- 3Looking for a lost device
¿Vieron mi teléfono en la mesa?
Did you all see my phone on the table?
Vieron uses ustedes, not vosotros.
Mistakes English speakers make with teléfono
Incorrect: La teléfono está roto.
Correct: El teléfono está roto.
Teléfono is masculine. Say el teléfono.
Incorrect: Olvidé el phone en casa.
Correct: Olvidé el teléfono en casa.
Use teléfono (or celular), not English phone.
Good to know
Teléfono covers phone in general. Latin America uses celular for a mobile teléfono; Spain prefers móvil. People still say número de teléfono for a contact number.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Someone's phone is ringing
ChatPal
Suena tu teléfono.
Your phone is ringing.
You
¿Dónde dejé el teléfono?
Where did I leave the phone?
ChatPal
Está debajo del cuaderno.
It's under the notebook.
You
Gracias. Ya contesto.
Thanks. I'll answer now.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"Phone" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "Phone" in Spanish
Is teléfono masculine or feminine?
Masculine: el teléfono, un teléfono nuevo.
Should I say celular or móvil?
Celular in Latin America. Móvil is common in Spain.
How do you stress teléfono?
teh-LEH-foh-noh. The written accent marks LEH.
How do I say phone number?
Número de teléfono. Short: mi número.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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