número de teléfono
/ˌnumeɾo de teˈlefono/
The English phrase "phone number" is translated into Spanish as número de teléfono.
The phrase número de teléfono refers to a sequence of digits used to call a person or a business. In casual conversation, speakers often shorten this to just número.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of número (number), de (of) and teléfono (telephone).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the plural "phone numbers", you pluralize the noun to números de teléfono, while the prepositional phrase de teléfono remains singular.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˌnumeɾo de teˈlefono/
Did you know?
- When giving a número de teléfono in Spain, it is common to group the digits into pairs rather than reciting them one by one.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, people don't just give their número de teléfono but specify if it is a móvil or celular. The choice of word depends on whether they are in Spain or Latin America.
- The word teléfono is built from two Ancient Greek roots: tele- meaning 'far' and -fono meaning 'sound'. Together they literally describe a 'far sound'.
Examples in context
- Anoté su número de teléfono.I wrote down his phone number.The sentence is useful for practicing the use of número de teléfono in the context of writing something down.Tatoeba #637331 by Leono, translation #260727 by CK
- Le di mi número de teléfono.I gave him my phone number.The sentence is useful for practicing the use of número de teléfono in the context of giving information.Tatoeba #2214154 by Shishir, translation #2214150 by Hybrid
- Tengo su número de teléfono.I got her phone number.The sentence is useful for practicing the use of número de teléfono in the context of possessing information.Tatoeba #2718194 by marcelostockle, translation #2182832 by Hybrid
- 57 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Mateo are at a cafe and she needs to contact him later.
- Sofía¿Cuál es tu número de teléfono?What is your phone number?
- MateoEs el 555-0123.It is 555-0123.
- SofíaGracias, Mateo. Te enviaré un mensaje.Thanks, Mateo. I will send you a message.
- MateoPerfecto, espero tu mensaje, Sofía.Perfect, I'll wait for your message, Sofía.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry número de teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, número, teléfono, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
