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móvil

MOH-veel/ˈmo.βil/

mobile phone, cell phone

Also: smartphone
NounmA1
SpainMexico, Central America, South America
A simple, modern smartphone with a bright blue background on its screen, resting on a flat surface.

📝 In Action

¿Dónde dejaste tu móvil? Necesito llamarte.

A1

Where did you leave your phone? I need to call you.

Se me acabó la batería del móvil.

A2

My phone battery ran out.

Estoy buscando un cargador para mi móvil nuevo.

A1

I am looking for a charger for my new mobile phone.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • celular (cell phone (common in Latin America))
  • teléfono (phone)

Common Collocations

  • recargar el móvil – to charge the phone
  • la pantalla del móvil – the phone screen

mobile, moveable

Also: portable
A small red wagon with large wooden wheels rolling quickly across a grassy hill, emphasizing movement.

📝 In Action

Instalaron una pared móvil para dividir la sala de reuniones.

B1

They installed a moveable wall to divide the meeting room.

La defensa del equipo fue muy móvil, cambiando de posición rápidamente.

B2

The team's defense was very mobile, changing position quickly.

Los puestos de comida son móviles y se instalan solo los fines de semana.

B1

The food stalls are mobile and are set up only on weekends.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • movible (moveable)
  • portátil (portable)

Antonyms

  • fijo (fixed)
  • inmóvil (immobile)

Common Collocations

  • unidad móvil – mobile unit (e.g., TV truck)
  • biblioteca móvil – mobile library

motive

Also: cause
NounmC1formal
A single, massive, shining golden key resting prominently on a dark red velvet cushion under a bright spotlight.

📝 In Action

La policía aún no ha determinado el móvil del robo.

C1

The police have not yet determined the motive for the robbery.

El móvil de su decisión fue puramente económico.

C2

The cause/motive of his decision was purely economic.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • el móvil del crimen – the motive for the crime

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "móvil" in Spanish:

moveable→smartphone→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: móvil

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'móvil' to mean a 'motive' or 'cause'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
mover(to move) — Verb
movimiento(movement) — Noun
inmóvil(immobile, still) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

Comes from the Latin word *mobilis*, meaning 'easy to move' or 'changeable.' This makes sense, as a mobile phone is a device designed to be moved, and an adjective describing something that isn't fixed.

First recorded: 15th century (as an adjective)

Cognates (Related words)

English: mobileFrench: mobile

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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).