Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 携帯電話 | keitai denwa | [ke̞ːta̠idẽ̞ɰ̃β̞a̠] (narrow) | |
| 携帯 | keitai | [ke̞ːta̠i] (narrow) | colloquial |
| セルホーン | seruhōn | ||
| セルフォン | serufon | ||
| モバイル | mobairu |
The term refers to a cellular telephone. While 携帯電話 is a common and neutral way to refer to the device, speakers frequently use shorter forms or loanwords depending on the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 携帯電話 is composed of 携帯 (keitai), meaning "carrying/portable" and 電話 (denwa), meaning "telephone".
Which one should you use?
携帯電話 is the full technical term, but in daily conversation, people almost always shorten it to 携帯. Other variations include the loanwords セルホーン and セルフォン, or モバイル.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
携帯電話 is a common and neutral way to refer to a mobile phone. In daily conversation and even in most polite speech, the shortened form 携帯 is the standard way to refer to the device. For a very friendly and informal way to refer specifically to a smartphone, you may hear the abbreviation スマホ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term 携帯 can be used as a noun to refer to the device itself, such as in the phrase 携帯を忘れた (I forgot my mobile phone).
How do you pronounce it?
keitai denwa
Did you know?
- Before smartphones, 携帯 (keitai) culture in Japan included 'keitai novels', which were long stories written and read entirely on small mobile screens using a unique style of punctuation.
- In Japanese etiquette, it is considered extremely rude to talk on a 携帯 while riding a train, and many people will give a subtle 'cold stare' to those who do.
- The word 電話 (denwa) literally means 'electric talk', combining the characters for 'electricity' and 'talk'.
Examples in context
- 携帯持ってる？Do you have a mobile phone?This sentence is useful for asking if someone has a mobile phone using 携帯.Tatoeba #3455732 by tommy_san, translation #1489178 by weihaiping
- あ、携帯忘れた。Ah, I forgot my mobile phone.This sentence is useful for expressing that you forgot your mobile phone using 携帯.Tatoeba #3062456 by tommy_san, translation #3064563 by Tappity
- 携帯が死んでる。My mobile phone isn't working.This sentence is useful for saying your mobile phone is not working using 携帯.Tatoeba #11993956 by small_snow, translation #11943202 by sundown
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are searching for a lost item in the living room.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、僕の携帯電話を見た？Yui, boku no keitai denwa o mita?Yui, have you seen my mobile phone?
- 結衣 Yuiいいえ、見てないよ。Iie, mite nai yo.No, I haven't.
- 蓮 Renどこに置いたかなあ。Doko ni oita kanaa.I wonder where I put it.
- 結衣 Yuiあ、テーブルの上に携帯電話があるよ。A, teeburu no ue ni keitai denwa ga aru yo.Oh, the mobile phone is on the table.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mobile phone” translations and entries 携帯電話, 携帯, モバイル, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
