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What’s the German word for Telephone?

Telephone in German

It’s what you pick up to make a call, what rings during dinner, and what’s slowly being replaced by video chats - but still very much in use. In German, it’s das Telefon. This is your German word of the day, and it’s a must-know word for communication in any setting - home, office, or emergency.

The noun Telefon means telephone or phone, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. It’s common in conversation, signage, forms, and everyday speech.

It’s a neuter noun, so we say das Telefon (still unsure about gender? Our video lesson explains it in a way that sticks).

Pronunciation

Telefon is pronounced [te-le-FOHN].

  • Te like “teh,”

  • le like “leh,”

  • fon has a long, steady o-avoid the glide in English “phone,”

  • Stress is on the last syllable: tele-FON

It’s nearly identical to the English word - just a bit more precise.

Example sentences:

Ich habe das Telefon nicht gehört.I didn’t hear the phone.

Darf ich kurz dein Telefon benutzen?May I use your phone for a moment?

Nuance and usage tips

Telefon usually refers to a physical device (landline or mobile), though in everyday language, Handy is the more common word for “cell phone.”

Useful phrases:

  • am Telefon sprechen - speak on the phone

  • ein Telefonat führen - to make a call

  • ans Telefon gehen - to answer the phone

  • Telefonnummer - phone number

  • das Telefon klingelt - the phone is ringing
    Telefon für dich! - Phone’s for you!

Examples:

  • “Ich bin gerade am Telefon.” - I’m on the phone right now.

  • “Er hat das Telefon nicht abgenommen.” - He didn’t answer the phone.

Note: Germans often differentiate between Telefon (device) and Anruf (the call itself).

How does this word come up in real conversations?

It’s still in everyday use - especially in offices, customer service, or when offering contact info.

“Sie erreichen mich auch telefonisch.” - You can also reach me by phone.“Das Telefon funktioniert nicht.” - The phone isn’t working.“Die Polizei ist rund um die Uhr telefonisch erreichbar.” - The police are reachable by phone 24/7.

Sample Dialogue (Beginner Level)

Anna: Dein Telefon klingelt!Leo: Oh nein, das hab ich gar nicht gehört.Anna: Vielleicht ist es wichtig.Leo: Zu spät - jetzt ist es weg.

Anna: Your phone’s ringing!Leo: Oh no, I didn’t even hear it.Anna: Maybe it was important.Leo: Too late - it stopped.

Grammatical case examples:

Nominative:Das Telefon ist neu.The phone is new.

Accusative:Ich nehme das Telefon mit.I’m taking the phone with me.

Dative:Mit dem Telefon kannst du auch SMS schreiben.You can also send texts with the phone.

Genitive:Die Farbe des Telefons ist schwarz.The phone’s color is black.

Neuter case pattern: das, das, dem, des

Word variations and language tidbits

Related words:

  • Handy - cell phone (colloquial German)

  • Telefonat - a phone call

  • Telefonzelle - phone booth

  • Festnetztelefon - landline

  • Telefonleitung - telephone line

Cultural note: Germans commonly use telefonieren as the verb for “to talk on the phone”:“Ich telefoniere gerade.” - I’m on the phone right now. And when Germans pick up, many answer with just their last name: „Müller?“

📘 Duden entry🎥 Want to build your everyday German vocabulary quickly? Our free video course teaches the top 1000 German nouns - with examples, visuals, and grammar tips that help them stick.

Ready for more German Words of the Day?Do you know what Umstände means? It’s what makes things tricky - or polite.And what about Übung? That one helps you get better, one repetition at a time.

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