τηλεφωνώ
tilefonó/ti.le.foˈno/
To phone (someone) in Greek is τηλεφωνώ (tilefonó). Wiktionary also lists παίρνω τηλέφωνο (paírno tiléfono) and παίρνω (paírno).
Meaning: to call (someone) on the telephone (verb)
Ways to say it
| Greek | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| τηλεφωνώ | tilefonó | /ti.le.foˈno/ |
| παίρνω τηλέφωνο | paírno tiléfono | |
| παίρνω | paírno | /ˈper.no/ |
| καλώ | kaló | /kaˈlo/ |
The verb is used specifically when you are contacting someone via a telephone.
Which one should you use?
The word καλώ means 'to call' or 'to summon', but it is more general and can refer to calling someone's name or summoning them to a place. In contrast, τηλεφωνώ is used specifically for telephone communication. You may also see the phrase παίρνω τηλέφωνο used to mean phoning, or the shortened παίρνω used in specific contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The future tense of τηλεφωνώ is τηλεφωνήσω.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tilefonó. It has 4 syllables and the stress is on the 4th syllable.
Did you know?
- The verb παίρνω used in phoning is derived from an Ancient Greek word meaning 'to lift up'. This reflects the era when phones had heavy receivers that had to be physically lifted from a cradle.
- In Greece, it is common to say πήρε τηλέφωνο to describe someone who called, which literally means 'he took a telephone', rather than saying 'he called'.
- Unlike in English, where 'calling' someone can be a general term, using καλώ in a non-telephone context often implies a formal summons or a request for someone to appear.
Examples in context
- παίρνω τηλέφωνο τη μητέρα μουI make a phone [call] [to] my motherThis sentence demonstrates using παίρνω to describe making a phone call to a mother.
- Σε παίρνω τηλέφωνο αλλά δεν το σηκώνεις.I phone you, but you don't pick up.This sentence shows the use of παίρνω τηλέφωνο to mean phoning someone.Tatoeba #11177266 by carlosalberto, translation #11177264 by carlosalberto
- Το κινητό σου είναι εδώ;Is your phone here?
Example conversation
Nikos and Kyriaki are planning a meeting.
- Νίκος NikosΠότε θα τηλεφωνώ για να κλείσω το τραπέζι;Póte tha tilefonó gia na klíso to trapézi?When should I phone to book the table?
- Κυριακή KyriakiΚάνε το τώρα, Νίκο.Káne to tóra, Níko.Do it now, Nikos.
- Νίκος NikosΕντάξει, τηλεφωνώ αμέσως.Entáxei, tilefonó amésos.Okay, I'm phoning right away.
- Κυριακή KyriakiΕυχαριστώ πολύ, Κυριακή σε περιμένει.Efcharistó polý, Kyriakí se periménei.Thank you very much, Kyriaki is waiting for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “phone” translations and entries τηλεφωνώ, παίρνω, καλώ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καλώ, παίρνω, τηλέφωνο, τηλεφωνώ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0, Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
