电话 — meaning in English: phone

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

Guess the translation for telephone

墙上

qiáng shàng

碗

wǎn

证书

zhèngshū

顾问

gùwèn

电话

diànhuà

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers commonly use the word 电话 (diànhuà) in everyday conversations when discussing communication methods. For instance, a person might say, '我在打电话给你' (I am calling you) when making arrangements or confirming plans with friends or family.

Synonyms & nuances

Another word for phone is 手机 (shǒujī), which specifically refers to mobile phones. While 电话 can mean any type of phone, including landlines, 手机 is used exclusively for handheld devices. You would choose 电话 when talking about telephonic communication in general, whereas 手机 is more specific to the mobile context.

Culture

The character 电 (diàn) means 'electricity,' and 话 (huà) means 'speech' or 'talk,' which reflects how telephone technology transformed communication. Interestingly, the first telephone was invented in the late 19th century, and China quickly adopted this technology, making 电话 an integral part of modern social interactions.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 电话?

电话 is pronounced as 'diànhuà.' The tones are important: the first syllable has a falling tone, and the second has a rising tone.

Q.How do you say 'make a phone call' in Mandarin?

To say 'make a phone call' in Mandarin, you can use the phrase 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà). This is a common expression used in conversations.

Q.Is 电话 used for both landline and mobile phones?

Yes, 电话 refers to both landline and mobile phones in Mandarin. It's a general term for telephonic communication.

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