Japanese word

携帯電話

Pronunciation

Romajikeitaidenwa

Meaning

  • nouncell phone

Example

私は携帯電話を使います。watashi wa kei tai den wa o tsuka i ma su

I use a cell phone.

Illustration for 携帯電話 (cell phone)

More examples

私は外出するとき、携帯電話を持って行きます。watashi wa gai shutsu su ru to ki kei tai den wa o mo tte i ki ma su

I take my cell phone with me when I go out.

Core concept

A phone that remains usable for calling while a person carries it from place to place.

Common phrases

  • 携帯電話を使うkei tai den wa o tsuka u

    use a cell phone

  • 携帯電話を持つkei tai den wa o mo tsu

    have a cell phone

  • 携帯電話の番号kei tai den wa no ban gō

    cell phone number

Similar words

携帯keitai: An everyday shortened term for a mobile phone.

Definition in Japanese

無線通信によって持ち運びながら通話できる電話。mu sen tsū shin ni yo tte mo chi hako bi na ga ra tsū wa de ki ru den wa

Word origin

携 (kei, "carry") and 帯 (tai, "carry along") form 携帯 (keitai, "portable"), while 電 (den, "electricity") and 話 (wa, "speech") form 電話 (denwa, "telephone").

Usage tips

  • In everyday English, "cell phone" is a general term that includes smartphones, so 携帯電話 (keitai denwa) does not necessarily mean a simple or old-fashioned phone.

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