A simple, colorful illustration of a modern blue smartphone centered on a light background, with a vibrant green speech bubble floating above the screen, symbolizing communication.

teléfono

/te-LE-fo-no/

NounmA1

telephone?The device used for calls.,phone?A more common, informal term for the device.

Also:phone number?When asking for contact information, e.g., 'dame tu teléfono'.

📝 In Action

¿Me prestas tu teléfono para hacer una llamada?

Can I borrow your phone to make a call?

El teléfono está sonando, ¿puedes contestar?

The phone is ringing, can you answer it?

Olvidé mi teléfono en casa esta mañana.

I forgot my phone at home this morning.

Apunte mi número de teléfono: es el 555-1234.

Write down my phone number: it's 555-1234.

Word Connections

Synonyms

móvil (mobile phone (Spain))
celular (cell phone (Latin America))

Common Collocations

número de teléfono – phone number
llamar por teléfono – to call on the phone
contestar el teléfono – to answer the phone
teléfono fijo – landline phone
teléfono inteligente – smartphone

💡 Grammar Points

Always Masculine: 'el teléfono'

Even though it ends in 'o', it's good to remember that 'teléfono' is always a masculine word. So, you'll always say 'el teléfono' (the phone) or 'un teléfono' (a phone).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Device vs. Action

Mistake: "Yo teléfono a mi amigo."

Correction: Yo llamo por teléfono a mi amigo. 'Teléfono' is the thing (a noun), not the action (a verb). The action of calling is 'llamar' or 'telefonear'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking for a Number

You can say '¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?' (What is your phone number?), but it's very common and natural to shorten it to just '¿Me das tu teléfono?' (Can you give me your phone?).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: teléfono

Question 1 of 1

Which phrase is the most natural way to say 'I'm going to call you'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

telefonear(to telephone) - verb

telefónico(telephonic / related to phones) - adjective

telefonista(telephone operator) - noun

telefonillo(intercom / door phone) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'teléfono', 'móvil', and 'celular'?

'Teléfono' is the general word for any phone, including a landline ('teléfono fijo'). 'Móvil' is what people in Spain call a mobile/cell phone. 'Celular' is what people in most of Latin America call a mobile/cell phone. They all refer to the same device, it just depends on where you are!