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Learning entrynounLevel A1

Telefon

telephone

A device that lets you speak to a person in another place.

IPA/teleˈfoːn/

The last syllable, “-fon”, is stressed; the o is pronounced long.

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Meaning 1neutral · 90%

A device that lets you speak to a person in another place.

Natural examples

Das Telefon klingelt schon zum dritten Mal.

The telephone is ringing for the third time already.

Im Büro steht ein Telefon auf jedem Schreibtisch.

There is a telephone on every desk in the office.

Bitte leg das Telefon nach dem Gespräch wieder auf den Tisch.

Please put the telephone back on the table after the conversation.

Usage note

Telefon refers to the device. For the conversation itself, people tend to say Anruf or Telefongespräch.

Useful combinations

am Telefon sein — to be on the phone with someoneans Telefon gehen — to answer an incoming calldas Telefon klingelt — the telephone signals a call by ringing

Common mistake

Ich mache ein Telefon mit Anna.

Ich telefoniere mit Anna.

Use the verb telefonieren for the activity; Telefon normally refers to the device.

Mini-lesson: Das Telefon: the device and typical expressions

Telefon is neuter: das Telefon, die Telefone. The word refers to the device. Typical expressions include ans Telefon gehen, am Telefon sein and das Telefon klingelt.

Check your learning

Choose one answer.

Which sentence uses Telefon correctly?

Learning entrynounLevel A1

Telefon

telephone

A device that lets you speak to a person in another place.

IPA/teleˈfoːn/

The last syllable, “-fon”, is stressed; the o is pronounced long.

Search another word

Meaning 1neutral · 90%

A device that lets you speak to a person in another place.

Natural examples

Das Telefon klingelt schon zum dritten Mal.

The telephone is ringing for the third time already.

Im Büro steht ein Telefon auf jedem Schreibtisch.

There is a telephone on every desk in the office.

Bitte leg das Telefon nach dem Gespräch wieder auf den Tisch.

Please put the telephone back on the table after the conversation.

Usage note

Telefon refers to the device. For the conversation itself, people tend to say Anruf or Telefongespräch.

Useful combinations

am Telefon sein — to be on the phone with someoneans Telefon gehen — to answer an incoming calldas Telefon klingelt — the telephone signals a call by ringing

Common mistake

Ich mache ein Telefon mit Anna.

Ich telefoniere mit Anna.

Use the verb telefonieren for the activity; Telefon normally refers to the device.

Mini-lesson: Das Telefon: the device and typical expressions

Telefon is neuter: das Telefon, die Telefone. The word refers to the device. Typical expressions include ans Telefon gehen, am Telefon sein and das Telefon klingelt.

Check your learning

Choose one answer.

Which sentence uses Telefon correctly?