móvil
/MOH-veel/
mobile phone
Móvil as a noun means "mobile phone" (A handheld communication device).
móvil(noun)
mobile phone
?A handheld communication device (most common translation in Spain)
,cell phone
?A handheld communication device (common translation in the US/Latin America)
smartphone
?A specific type of mobile phone
📝 In Action
¿Dónde dejaste tu móvil? Necesito llamarte.
A1Where did you leave your phone? I need to call you.
Se me acabó la batería del móvil.
A2My phone battery ran out.
Estoy buscando un cargador para mi móvil nuevo.
A1I am looking for a charger for my new mobile phone.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Alert
Even though 'móvil' ends in 'l', it is a masculine word, so always use 'el' or 'un': 'el móvil'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Regional Terms
Mistake: "Using 'celular' in Spain or 'móvil' in Mexico."
Correction: While understood everywhere, 'móvil' is standard in Spain. 'Celular' is standard across most of Latin America. Choose the term based on where you are speaking.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Shortened Form
In many Latin American countries, people shorten 'celular' to 'celu'. In Spain, 'móvil' is rarely shortened.
As an adjective, móvil means "mobile," or able to move or be moved easily.
móvil(adjective)
mobile
?Able to move or be moved easily
,moveable
?Not fixed in place
portable
?Easy to carry
📝 In Action
Instalaron una pared móvil para dividir la sala de reuniones.
B1They installed a moveable wall to divide the meeting room.
La defensa del equipo fue muy móvil, cambiando de posición rápidamente.
B2The team's defense was very mobile, changing position quickly.
Los puestos de comida son móviles y se instalan solo los fines de semana.
B1The food stalls are mobile and are set up only on weekends.
💡 Grammar Points
Adjective Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'móvil' must agree in number: 'pared móvil' (singular) vs. 'paredes móviles' (plural).
⭐ Usage Tips
The Origin of the Noun
Remembering this meaning helps you understand why a 'mobile phone' is called 'móvil'—it's the device that is 'moveable'!
Móvil can also be used as a noun meaning "motive" or the reason behind an action.
móvil(noun)
motive
?The reason or cause behind an action, especially a crime
cause
?The driving reason for something
📝 In Action
La policía aún no ha determinado el móvil del robo.
C1The police have not yet determined the motive for the robbery.
El móvil de su decisión fue puramente económico.
C2The cause/motive of his decision was purely economic.
💡 Grammar Points
Formal Usage
When used in this sense, 'móvil' is very formal. In everyday conversation, you should usually use 'motivo' or 'razón' instead.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: móvil
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'móvil' to mean a 'motive' or 'cause'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'móvil' and 'celular'?
'Móvil' is the standard term for a mobile phone in Spain. 'Celular' is the standard term for a mobile phone across most of Latin America. Both mean the same thing, but using the local term helps you sound more natural.
Is 'móvil' always masculine?
Yes, when used as a noun (meaning 'phone' or 'motive'), it is always masculine: 'el móvil'. When used as an adjective (meaning 'moveable'), it is used for both masculine and feminine nouns, but the form remains the same: 'la pared móvil' (feminine) or 'el puesto móvil' (masculine).