telefónica
“telefónica” means “telephone” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
telephone
Also: telecom
📝 In Action
La línea telefónica está ocupada.
A2The telephone line is busy.
Recibimos una llamada telefónica urgente.
A2We received an urgent phone call.
Necesitas una conexión telefónica estable para la reunión.
B1You need a stable telephone connection for the meeting.
telephone company
Also: telecommunications firm
📝 In Action
Mi telefónica me cobra demasiado por los datos.
B1My telephone company charges me too much for data.
Contacta a la telefónica para reportar la avería.
B2Contact the phone company to report the fault.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: telefónica
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'telefónica' as a noun?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Greek components 'tēle-' (meaning 'far') and 'phōnē' (meaning 'sound' or 'voice'), combined with the Spanish adjective ending '-ico' and the feminine suffix '-a'. It literally means 'related to sound from afar'.
First recorded: 19th century (coined after the invention of the telephone)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'telefónica' mean 'phone company' sometimes?
It's a common Spanish shortcut! Instead of saying the full phrase 'la empresa telefónica' (the telephone company), native speakers often drop the word 'empresa' and just use 'la telefónica.' Since 'empresa' is feminine, the adjective 'telefónica' keeps its feminine form.
Is 'telefónica' the same as 'teléfono'?
No. 'Teléfono' (masculine noun) is the physical device you use to call. 'Telefónica' (feminine adjective or noun) describes something related to the phone system or refers to the company that provides the service.