Handy
/ˈhɛndi/
The English phrase "cell phone" is translated into German as Handy.
A cell phone is a portable telephone that can make and receive calls over a radio signal.
Which one should you use?
While Handy is the common term for a mobile phone, Mobiltelefon is a more formal, technical term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In German-speaking Switzerland, the informal term Natel is commonly used to refer to a cell phone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Handy is a neuter noun. The plural form is Handys.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɛndi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly assume Handy is an adjective meaning 'useful' in German, but in this context, it is a noun referring to the device.
Did you know?
- The word Handy is a 'pseudo-anglicism', meaning it looks and sounds English but is not used by native English speakers to mean a mobile phone.
- The term Natel is actually a brand name that became a generic term for all mobile phones in Switzerland.
- The word Handy may have evolved from the English 'handie-talkie', a product name used by Motorola.
Examples in context
- Hast du ein Handy?Do you have a cell phone?This sentence is useful for asking if someone owns a cell phone.Tatoeba #535428 by Dejo, translation #2800541 by CK
- Wo ist mein Handy?Where's my cell phone?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a cell phone.Tatoeba #1814448 by Tamy, translation #9400142 by CK
- Das ist ein Handy.This is a cell phone.This sentence is useful for identifying an object as a cell phone.Tatoeba #3590826 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #12833005 by rul
- Ich habe mein Mobiltelefon zu Hause vergessen.I forgot my cell phone at home.
- Kannst du mir dein Handy leihen?Can you lend me your cell phone?
- Ich brauche ein neues Handy.I need a new cell phone.
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are sitting in a cafe.
- LukasHast du dein Handy dabei?Do you have your cell phone with you?
- JuliaNein, ich habe mein Handy zu Hause gelassen.No, I left my cell phone at home.
- LukasSoll ich dir mein Handy leihen?Should I lend you my cell phone?
- JuliaDanke, das ist sehr nett von dir, Lukas.Thanks, that is very kind of you, Lukas.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Handy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Handy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
