¿Tienes teléfono?
The phrase "do you have a phone?" in Spanish is translated as ¿Tienes teléfono?
This phrase is used to ask whether someone owns or has access to a telephone.
Which one should you use?
Using ¿Tienes móvil? specifies a mobile phone in Spain, whereas in most of Latin America, ¿Tienes celular? is used to specify a cell phone.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, people typically use the word móvil instead of teléfono to refer specifically to a mobile phone. In most of Latin America, the word celular is used instead of teléfono or móvil to specify a mobile device.
How does it change in a sentence?
The formal version of the question uses the third-person singular verb form and the pronoun usted to show respect.
Did you know?
- The word teléfono is built from two Ancient Greek words: têle, meaning 'far' or 'distant', and phōnḗ, meaning 'voice' or 'sound'.
- While celular is standard in Latin America, some regions use celu as a common, affectionate shorthand in casual conversation.
- If you ask for a teléfono in a restaurant in Spain, the waiter might lead you to a landline rather than offering you a mobile device.
Examples in context
- No, no tengo teléfono.No, I don't have a phone.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are meeting for the first time.
- DanielHola, Lucía. ¿Tienes teléfono?Hi, Lucía. Do you have a phone?
- LucíaSí, tengo uno aquí.Yes, I have one here.
- DanielPerfecto, dame tu número.Perfect, give me your number.
- LucíaClaro, anótalo ahora.Sure, write it down now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
