cellulare
/t͡ʃel.luˈla.re/
The Italian phrase for cell phone is cellulare.
The term refers to a portable telephone used to make and receive calls over a radio signal network. While cellulare is the most common way to refer to the device in daily conversation, the full phrase telefono cellulare is also used.
Which one should you use?
telefono cellulare is a formal way to say cell phone in Italian.
How does it change in a sentence?
cellulare is a masculine noun. Its plural form is cellulari.
How do you pronounce it?
/tʃel.luˈla.re/. The word has 4 syllables, with the stress on the 3rd syllable.
Did you know?
- When talking about the 'cell phone signal', Italians use the word campo, which literally means 'field'.
- In some Italian regions, older generations may still refer to a mobile phone as a telefonino, which is a diminutive meaning 'little telephone'.
- The word cellulare shares a root with the biological term for a 'cell', referring to the small units of life.
Examples in context
- Tom è al cellulare.Tom is on his cell phone.This sentence is useful for showing someone is currently using their cellulare.Tatoeba #2080038 by Guybrush88, translation #1868176 by CK
- Dammi il tuo cellulare.Give me your cell phone.This sentence is useful for requesting someone's cellulare.Tatoeba #5813726 by Guybrush88, translation #3151446 by CK
- Dov'è il mio cellulare?Where's my cell phone?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of one's cellulare.Tatoeba #8571849 by Guybrush88, translation #9400142 by CK
- Quando posso contattarti sul telefono cellulare?When can I reach you on the cell phone?
- Ho dimenticato il cellulare a casa. Non posso chiamare nessuno!I forgot my cell phone at home. I can't call anyone!
- Dove hai messo il tuo cellulare? Non riesco a trovarlo.Where did you put your cell phone? I can't find it.
- Mi piace giocare ai giochi sul mio smartphone.I enjoy playing games on my smartphone.
- 59 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Matteo and Chiara are at a cafe.
- ChiaraHai il mio cellulare?Do you have my cell phone?
- MatteoNo, non vedo il tuo cellulare.No, I don't see your cell phone.
- ChiaraForse è nella mia borsa.Maybe it is in my bag.
- MatteoAh, eccolo sopra il tavolo!Ah, there it is on the table!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cellulare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cellulare, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
