телефо́н
telefónmasculine
The English word 'telephone' is телефо́н (telefón) in Russian.
телефо́н is a masculine noun referring to a 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.
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)
Which one should you use?
While телефо́н is the noun for the device, the verb звони́ть is the most common way to express the action of calling someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive singular form of телефо́н is телефо́на.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is telefón.
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific word, тру́бка, meaning 'tube', which refers to the telephone handset. To 'hang up' is literally to 'put the тру́бка' back.
- When answering a телефо́н in Russia, people typically say Алло, which is a phonetic adaptation of the French 'allô'.
- In the Soviet era, getting a телефо́н installed in a home often required years of waiting on a government list or utilizing personal connections.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, дайте мне номер телефона гостиницы.Please give me the telephone number of the hotel.
- Нашел новый сотовый телефон в интернете.Found a new mobile phone online.
Example conversation
Olga is looking for her device in the room.
- Ольга OlgaДмитрий, ты видел мой телефо́н?Dmitriy, ty videl moy telefon?Dmitry, have you seen my phone?
- Дмитрий DmitryДа, он лежит на столе.Da, on lezhit na stole.Yes, it is lying on the table.
- Ольга OlgaОй, спасибо большое!Oy, spasibo bol'shoye!Oh, thank you very much!
- Дмитрий DmitryПожалуйста, Ольга.Pozhaluysta, Ol'ga.You're welcome, Olga.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “telephone” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
