celular
/seh-loo-LAHR/
cell phone
As a noun, 'celular' means 'cell phone,' a handheld communication device.
celular(noun)
cell phone
?handheld communication device
mobile phone
?handheld communication device
📝 In Action
Perdí mi celular en el autobús, ¡espero encontrarlo!
A1I lost my cell phone on the bus, I hope to find it!
¿Tienes batería en el celular para llamar a un taxi?
A2Do you have battery on your phone to call a taxi?
Necesito comprar un cargador nuevo para mi celular.
A2I need to buy a new charger for my cell phone.
💡 Grammar Points
Masculine Noun
Even though the word ends in '-ar', it is always treated as a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el celular'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'La Celular'
Mistake: "La celular está roto."
Correction: El celular está roto. Remember that 'celular' (phone) is masculine.
⭐ Usage Tips
Regional Choice
In Spain, people almost always say 'el móvil'. In most of Latin America (Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, etc.), 'el celular' is the standard way to refer to your phone.
As an adjective, 'celular' means 'cellular,' relating to biological cells.
celular(adjective)
cellular
?related to biological cells or networks
cell-based
?composed of small units
📝 In Action
La membrana celular protege el interior de la célula.
B2The cellular membrane protects the interior of the cell.
Estudiamos la estructura celular de las plantas.
C1We study the cellular structure of plants.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement Rule
As an adjective, 'celular' must match the thing it describes in number (singular or plural). It works for both masculine and feminine nouns (it is invariable in gender, meaning you don't change the ending).
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
When 'celular' is used as an adjective, it is usually in a scientific or technical context, describing something related to tiny biological units or a large system divided into small areas (like a phone network).
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: celular
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'celular' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'celular' y 'móvil'?
They mean the exact same thing: 'cell phone' or 'mobile phone.' The difference is regional: 'celular' is dominant in Latin America, while 'móvil' is dominant in Spain.
¿Por qué el teléfono se llama 'celular'?
It's named after the network it uses. The phone signal area is divided into many small geographical zones called 'cells,' and the phone is constantly moving between them, hence 'cellular' system.