電話
denwa[dẽ̞ɰ̃β̞a̠]
The English phrase 'telephone' is translated into Japanese as 電話 (denwa).
The noun 電話 can refer to both the physical telephone device and the act of a telephone call itself.
Meaning: telecommunication device which converts data or sounds into electrical signals which are then transmitted to enable two or more people to communicate with each other over a distance (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 電話 is composed of 電 (den), meaning electricity and 話 (wa), meaning talk or speech.
Which one should you use?
When expressing the action of calling someone, you can use two different forms. 電話をかける specifically emphasizes the act of initiating a call, whereas 電話する is a more general, concise way to say 'to telephone' or 'to call'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
denwa
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is common to answer the phone by saying もしもし (moshi moshi), which comes from a polite verb meaning 'to tell' or 'to report'.
- The word 電話 is a 'wasei kango', meaning it is a Japanese-made Chinese-style word created specifically to translate the Western concept of the telephone.
- While 電話 means 'telephone', Japanese speakers use the word 携帯 (keitai), meaning 'portable', as the standard shorthand for a mobile phone.
Examples in context
- 電話帳はどこ？Where is the telephone book?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of a telephone book using the form 電話.Tatoeba #124629 by bunbuku, translation #378515 by CC
- 彼に電話した？Did you telephone him?This sentence is useful for asking if someone made a call to a person using the form 電話.Tatoeba #8576496 by small_snow, translation #285142 by CK
- 電話が鳴った。The telephone rang.This sentence is useful for describing a telephone ringing using the form 電話.Tatoeba #10367287 by small_snow, translation #1960266 by CK
- 電話で会議室を予約しました。I reserved the conference room by telephone.
- ケータイで予定を確認した。I checked my schedule on my mobile phone.
- 177 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiroto and Himari are in a living room.
- 大翔 Hiroto電話がある？Denwa ga aru?Is there a telephone?
- 陽葵 Himariあそこにあるよ。Asoko ni aru yo.It is over there.
- 大翔 Hirotoあ、見つけた。ありがとう。A, mitsuketa. Arigatou.Oh, I found it. Thanks.
- 陽葵 Himariどういたしまして。Douitashimashite.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “telephone” translations and entries 電話, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 電話, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
