телефон — meaning in English: phone

telefon · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for phone

минут

minut

стул

stul

домой

domoy

телефон

telefon

Дисплей

Displey

Skip this question

🎓

Learn Russian for free

Quizzes, examples, audio & daily challenges. No password needed — just your email.

Start learning →

Already have an account? Log in

neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 'телефон' in everyday conversations while discussing communication, whether it's asking for someone's phone number or inquiring about the type of phone they use. For example, you might hear someone say, 'У тебя есть телефон?' (Do you have a phone?) when meeting a friend.

Synonyms & nuances

'Телефон' is the standard term for 'phone,' but another word, 'мобильник,' specifically refers to a mobile phone. While 'телефон' can be used for both landlines and mobile devices, 'мобильник' is more casual and generally used in informal settings.

Culture

The word 'телефон' is derived from the Greek roots 'tele' meaning 'distant' and 'phone' meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. This reflects the phone's purpose of transmitting voice over distances. Interestingly, the telephone revolutionized communication in Russia, just as it did in the rest of the world, leading to significant cultural shifts in how people interacted and shared information.

FAQ

Q.How do you say 'my phone' in Russian?

You would say 'мой телефон.' The possessive 'мой' means 'my,' making 'мой телефон' a straightforward way to refer to your phone.

Q.What is the plural form of 'телефон'?

The plural form is 'телефоны.' So if you want to say 'the phones,' you would say 'телефоны.'

Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 'телефон'?

'Телефон' is often mistaken for a synonym of 'мобильник' (mobile phone), but it's important to remember that 'телефон' encompasses both landlines and mobile devices. Make sure to use the right context to avoid confusion.

Learn russian with Maspeak →

Russian 2000