Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Handy | /ˈhɛndi/ | neuter |
| Mobiltelefon | neuter | |
| Funktelefon | neuter | |
| Natel | Switzerland, neuter |
All forms of the word refer to a cellular telephone. Handy is the most commonly used word for a mobile phone in German-speaking regions.
Which one should you use?
While Handy is the most common term, Mobiltelefon is used in more formal or technical contexts. Funktelefon is another term for a mobile phone.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Handy is the informal, everyday term used in conversation. Mobiltelefon is a more formal and technical option.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Natel is a colloquial term used specifically in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Handy is the standard term used across Germany, Austria and most other German-speaking regions.
How does it change in a sentence?
All provided forms are neuter nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhɛndi/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly assume Handy is the German version of the English adjective 'handy' (meaning useful). In German, however, Handy is a noun that means mobile phone.
Did you know?
- The Swiss term Natel has nothing to do with the word 'hand' or 'mobile'. It is actually an acronym for the 'Nationales Auto-Telefonnetz', which was the name of the national car telephone network.
Examples in context
- Hast du ein Handy?Have you got a mobile phone?Tatoeba #535428 by Dejo, translation #765911 by Dunbab
- Hast du ein Natel?Do you have a mobile phone?Tatoeba #535440 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1489178 by weihaiping
- Er hat kein Handy.He hasn't got a mobile phone.Tatoeba #1814444 by Tamy, translation #8920164 by sundown
- Ich habe mein Handy in meiner Tasche.I have my mobile phone in my pocket.
- 117 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Lukas are sitting in a café.
- HannahWo ist mein Handy?Where is my mobile phone?
- LukasEs liegt auf dem Tisch, Hannah.It is lying on the table, Hannah.
- HannahDanke, Lukas.Thanks, Lukas.
- LukasKein Problem.No problem.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mobile phone” translations and entries Handy, Mobiltelefon, Natel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Handy, Mobiltelefon, Natel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
