スマートフォン
sumātofon
The English word 'smartphone' is translated into Japanese as スマートフォン (sumātofon). Wiktionary also lists スマートホン (sumātohon) and スマホ (sumaho).
Meaning: electronic handheld device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| スマートフォン | sumātofon | |
| スマートホン | sumātohon | |
| スマホ | sumaho | [sɨma̠ho̞] (narrow) |
This noun refers to an electronic handheld device.
Which one should you use?
The abbreviated form スマホ is much more common in daily conversation than the full length スマートフォン.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The full form スマートフォン is typically used in formal writing, news reports or technical documentation. In contrast, スマホ is a frequently used informal abbreviation for "smartphone" in Japanese. The form スマートホン is also a variation of the word.
How do you pronounce it?
sumātofon
Did you know?
- Before the smartphone era, the term ガラケー (garakee) was the standard way to describe mobile phones, a nickname derived from the word 'galapagos' to describe devices that evolved uniquely in Japan.
- When typing on a Japanese smartphone, the 'flick input' method is so ubiquitous that many people can type complex Kanji at high speeds using only their thumbs.
- The term スマホ follows a common Japanese linguistic pattern of shortening foreign loanwords to four morae, similar to how 'personal computer' became パソコン.
Examples in context
- スマホって持ってる？Do you have a smartphone?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses a スマホ.Tatoeba #9725484 by small_snow, translation #3058208 by Hybrid
- スマホ持ってないの。I don't have a smartphone.This sentence is useful for stating that one does not possess a スマホ.Tatoeba #9725502 by small_snow, translation #6268160 by CK
- 新しいスマホが欲しい。I want to buy a new smartphone.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for a new スマホ.Tatoeba #8621966 by small_snow, translation #6258710 by CK
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are talking about a new gadget.
- 結衣 Yui最近、いいスマートフォンを探しています。Saikin, ii sumātofon o sagashite imasu.I've been looking for a good smartphone lately.
- 陽太 Yotaどのメーカーのスマートフォンがいいと思う？Dono mēkā no sumātofon ga ii to omou?Which brand of smartphone do you think is good?
- 結衣 Yuiカメラがきれいなスマートフォンがいいです。Kamera ga kirei na sumātofon ga ii desu.I want a smartphone with a nice camera.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、一緒に店に見に行こうか。Jaa, issho ni mise ni mi ni ikō ka.Well, shall we go to the store to look together?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smartphone” translations and entries スマートフォン, スマートホン, スマホ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
