Translation guide
In Japanese, the most common word for a cell phone is 携帯電話 (keitai denwa), often shortened to 携帯 (keitai). There are also terms for smartphones and feature phones.
The learner wants to refer to a cell phone in general, without specifying type.
The standard, formal term for a cell phone. Used in official contexts, written language, and when clarity is needed.
携帯電話をお持ちですか。
Do you have a cell phone?
The most common everyday abbreviation. Used in casual conversation. Can also refer to a mobile device in general.
携帯を忘れた。
I forgot my cell phone.
Short for スマートフォン (smartphone). Very common in casual speech. Refers specifically to smartphones, not feature phones.
スマホの充電が切れた。
My smartphone battery died.
The full word for smartphone. More formal than スマホ. Used in technical or official contexts.
新しいスマートフォンを買いました。
I bought a new smartphone.
Slang for a traditional Japanese flip phone (feature phone). From 'Galapagos keitai', implying isolated evolution. Used when distinguishing from smartphones.
まだガラケーを使ってるの？
Are you still using a flip phone?
The learner wants to talk about their own phone or someone else's phone in context.
Literally 'telephone', but in context it often means cell phone. Use when the type of phone is clear from context.
電話を家に忘れてきた。
I left my phone at home.
Katakana rendering of 携帯, often used in casual writing or advertising. Same meaning as 携帯.
The learner wants to discuss cell phones in general, such as their impact or features.
The full term is preferred in formal discussions about technology or society.
携帯電話の普及率は非常に高い。
The penetration rate of cell phones is very high.
Borrowed from English 'mobile'. Often used in compound terms like モバイル端末 (mobile device) or in tech contexts.
携帯 (keitai) is a general term for any mobile phone, including smartphones and feature phones. スマホ (sumaho) specifically means smartphone. In casual conversation, 携帯 is still widely used even when referring to a smartphone, but スマホ is becoming more common among younger speakers.
In everyday speech, 電話 (denwa) often implies a cell phone when the context is clear. For example, '電話番号' (denwa bangou) usually means cell phone number nowadays. However, in formal situations, it's safer to use 携帯電話 or 携帯 to avoid ambiguity with landlines.
携帯をなくしました。
I lost my cell phone.
ここで携帯を使ってもいいですか。
Can I use my cell phone here?
ケータイ変えたんだ。
I changed my cell phone.
モバイル決済が普及している。
Mobile payments are widespread.