How to Say “Hang Up the Phone” in Spanish

By •
colgar el teléfono
/kolɡaɾ el telefono/from spelling rules
To hang up the phone in Spanish is colgar el teléfono.
The primary way to express ending a telephone conversation by disconnecting the call is to use colgar el teléfono. In many modern contexts, once the conversation is established, speakers often shorten this to just the verb colgar to mean 'to hang up'. You may also use colgar la llamada to say 'to hang up the call'.

What does it mean word for word?

The verb colgar literally means 'to hang' or 'to suspend'.

Which one should you use?

While colgar el teléfono and colgar la llamada are standard, you can choose between different levels of formality. Use Cortar to refer to ending a call in an informal way. For more formal settings, you can use Desconectar la llamada (to disconnect the call) or Finalizar la llamada (to end the call).

Did you know?

  • The word colgar is a linguistic relative of the English word 'couch', as both trace back to the Latin root meaning 'to set in place'.
  • If someone ends a call abruptly or rudely, you might say they used cortar, which means 'to cut'.

Examples in context

  • Veo que hemos cubierto todos los puntos importantes. Podemos finalizar la llamada ahora. Gracias por su atención.
    I see that we have covered all the important points. We can end the call now. Thank you for your attention.
  • Bueno, me tengo que ir. Voy a cortar, ¿vale? Nos vemos luego.
    Well, I have to go. I'm going to hang up, okay? See you later.
  • Ya te cuento todo esto luego. Ahora tengo que colgar. Hablamos más tarde.
    I'll tell you all about it later. Now, I have to hang up. We'll talk later.
  • Bueno, te dejo ya. Tengo que hacer algunas cosas. Hablamos más tarde.
    Well, I'll let you go now. I have to do some things. We'll talk later.
  • No me cuelgues, por favor.
    Don't hang up on me, please.
  • No quiero colgar el teléfono todavía.
    I don't want to hang up the phone yet.
  • Antes de colgar el teléfono, dime adiós.
    Before hanging up the phone, say goodbye to me.

Example conversation

Elena and Javier are finishing a long phone call.

  1. Elena

    Javier, ¿vas a colgar el teléfono ahora?
    Javier, are you going to hang up the phone now?
  2. Javier

    Sí, tengo que irme ya.
    Yes, I have to go now.
  3. Elena

    Está bien, cuídate mucho.
    Okay, take good care of yourself.
  4. Javier

    Gracias, Elena. Adiós.
    Thanks, Elena. Goodbye.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries colgar, el, teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏
Shane Ethan
Shane EthanHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
guest
0 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Scroll to Top