휴대폰
The English phrase cell phone is translated into Korean as 휴대폰.
The term cell phone can be expressed in several ways depending on the context. While 휴대폰 is the standard term, the word 스마트폰 is used almost exclusively when specifically referring to a smartphone.
What does it mean word for word?
휴대폰 is a compound of 휴대, meaning portability/carrying and 폰, meaning phone.
Which one should you use?
휴대폰 is the standard term for a cell phone, whereas 핸드폰 is a more colloquial alternative frequently used in spoken Korean. You may also encounter 핸폰, which is an informal shortening of 핸드폰.
Did you know?
- It is common in Korean social etiquette to keep your 휴대폰 on silent or vibrate mode in public transport, often signaled by the phrase 매너모드 or 'manner mode'.
- The English-based 'hand phone' (핸드폰) is a unique way of phrasing the concept that is not used in English-speaking countries. If you said 'hand phone' to a native English speaker, they would likely be confused.
- The syllables in 휴대폰 are composed of two Hanja-derived characters and one phonetic English character. This creates a linguistic hybrid that is very typical of modern Korean vocabulary.
Examples in context
- 휴대전화를 어떤 모델로 사용하고 계세요?What model of cell phone are you using?
- 전화번호가 바뀌었어요. 제 핸드폰 번호로 연락 주세요.My phone number has changed. Please contact me on my cell phone number.
- 내 폰 배터리가 다 떨어진 것 같아.I think my phone battery is running out.
- 휴대폰을 어디에 두었지?hyudaeponeul eodie dueotji?Where did I put my cell phone?
- 새 휴대폰을 사고 싶어요.sae hyudaeponeul sagosipeoyo.I want to buy a new cell phone.
- 내 휴대폰은 배터리가 없어요.nae hyudaeponeun baeteoriga eopseoyo.My cell phone has no battery.
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are looking for a lost item in a cafe.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 혹시 내 휴대폰 봤어요?Subin ssi, hoksi nae hyudaepon bwasseoyo?Subin, have you seen my cell phone by any chance?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 못 봤어요.aniyo, mot bwasseoyo.No, I haven't seen it.
- 도현 Do-hyeon진짜 이상하네. 아까 여기 있었는데.jinjja isanghane. akka yeogi isseotneunde.That's really strange. It was here a moment ago.
- 수빈 Su-bin가방 안을 다시 한번 찾아보세요.gabang aneul dasi hanbeon chajaboseyo.Please check inside your bag one more time.
