el celu
Argentina, informal
The casual word for a cell phone is el celu in Argentina and other parts of Latin America, el cel in Mexico and el móvil in Spain.
Meaning: mobile phone (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| el celu | Argentina, informal |
| El móvil | Spain, everyday |
| El cel | Mexico, informal |
¿Dónde dejé el celu? is how an Argentine asks about a lost phone. Spaniards say ¿Dónde he dejado el móvil?
Which one should you use?
Celu and cel are shortened from celular. Móvil is the standard word in Spain and is not slang, but it is the usual everyday choice there.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Celular is the word used across most of Latin America, and the clipped forms celu and cel are the friendly versions.
Did you know?
- The clipped forms celu and cel follow a habit in Spanish of shortening everyday words, like profe for profesor.
Examples in context
- Se me quedó el celu en casa.I left my phone at home.
- Dame tu cel y te mando la foto.Give me your phone and I will send you the photo.
- Tengo poca batería en el móvil.My phone battery is low.
Example conversation
Martín asks his friend Gabi for help in Buenos Aires.
- Martín¿Me prestás tu celu un segundo?Can I borrow your phone for a second?
- GabiSí, tomá. ¿Te quedaste sin batería?Sure, here. Did you run out of battery?
- MartínSí, y tengo que llamar a mi vieja.Yes, and I have to call my mom.
