Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| móvil | /ˈmobil/ | Spain, masculine |
| teléfono móvil | /teˌlefono ˈmobil/ | |
| teléfono celular | /teˌlefono θeluˈlaɾ/ /teˌlefono seluˈlaɾ/ |
|
| celular | /θeluˈlaɾ/ /seluˈlaɾ/ |
masculine |
Spanish speakers use several terms to refer to a mobile phone. You can use the full phrases teléfono móvil or teléfono celular, but in everyday conversation, the single words móvil or celular are much more common. If you are specifically referring to a smartphone, the term used is teléfono inteligente.
Which one should you use?
While móvil and celular both mean mobile phone, they are preferred in different areas. Use móvil in Spain and celular in Latin America. The full forms teléfono móvil and teléfono celular are also available for use.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, móvil is the standard way to refer to a mobile phone. In most of Latin America, celular is the standard way to refer to a mobile phone.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both móvil and celular are masculine nouns and require masculine articles like el or un.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈmobil/
Did you know?
- The word móvil shares a common ancestor with the Spanish word mueble, which means 'furniture'.
- While teléfono inteligente is the literal term for 'smartphone', many Spanish speakers simply use the English word 'smartphone' or the term smartphone in professional settings.
- The distinction between móvil and celular is so strong that using the 'wrong' one can immediately signal to a native speaker which continent the speaker is from.
Examples in context
- He perdido mi móvil.I lost my mobile phone.This sentence is useful for expressing that you lost your móvil.Tatoeba #2702911 by migeels, translation #1881957 by CM
- Me encanta este móvil.I love this mobile phone.This sentence is useful for expressing that you love a certain móvil.Tatoeba #1871301 by Shishir, translation #1436865 by caspian
- Necesito cargar mi móvil.I need to charge my mobile phone.This sentence is useful for expressing a need to charge your móvil.Tatoeba #1767194 by Shishir, translation #10121882 by CK
- Siempre llevo mi teléfono móvil encima mientras estoy trabajando.I always keep my mobile phone with me while I'm working.
- Debo recordarte que no se permite el uso de celulares durante la conferencia.I must remind you that the use of mobile phones is not allowed during the conference.
- Oye, ¿puedes prestarme tu móvil? Quiero hacer una llamada urgente.Hey, can you lend me your mobile phone? I need to make an urgent call.
- El niño estaba jugando videojuegos en su cel toda la tarde.The boy was playing video games on his mobile phone all afternoon.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are sitting in a cafe.
- Lucía¿Dónde has dejado tu móvil, Mateo?Where did you leave your mobile, Mateo?
- MateoNo encuentro mi móvil por ninguna parte.I can't find my mobile anywhere.
- LucíaCreo que está sobre la mesa.I think it is on the table.
- Mateo¡Es verdad! Gracias, Lucía.It's true! Thanks, Lucía.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mobile phone” translations and entries móvil, teléfono móvil, teléfono celular, celular, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries móvil, teléfono, teléfono celular, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
