móviles
/mobiles/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'mobiles' is translated into Spanish as móviles.
móviles is commonly used as a shorthand for teléfonos móviles (mobile phones).
Which one should you use?
While móviles is the standard term in Spain, in many Latin American countries, people are more likely to use celulares to refer to mobile phones.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, móviles is the most common term to refer to mobiles. In Argentina, the term celulares is used predominantly for both formal and informal usage.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the noun is móvil.
How do you pronounce it?
/mobiles/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word móvil is also used to describe the motive or reason behind a crime, such as el móvil del crimen.
- If you are in Chile or Argentina and ask for a móvil, you might actually be calling for a 'taxi' or a police vehicle rather than a phone.
- In many parts of Latin America, people use the diminutive celularito to refer to their phone in an affectionate or informal way.
Examples in context
- ¿Dónde dejé mi celular?Where did I leave my mobile?
- Voy a comprar un celu nuevo.I'm going to buy a new mobile.
- Los móviles son muy caros ahora.Mobile phones are very expensive now.
- ¿Dónde dejaste los móviles?Where did you leave the mobiles?
- Necesito comprar dos móviles nuevos.I need to buy two new mobiles.
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are entering a cinema.
- SofíaMateo, guarda los móviles en el bolso.Mateo, put the mobiles in the bag.
- MateoTienes razón, no podemos usarlos aquí.You are right, we cannot use them here.
- SofíaPonlos en silencio también, por favor.Put them on silent too, please.
- MateoYa están apagados los móviles, Sofía.The mobiles are already off, Sofía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
