1.
mobile phone, cell phone
A portable telephone. Short for 携帯電話. One of the most commonly used words in modern Japanese.
携帯 is short for 携帯電話 (mobile phone). Literally means 'portable' but in daily conversation almost always means phone.
Types
- 携帯(電話): cell phone (general term)
- ガラケー: feature phone, the pre-smartphone mobile (from ガラパゴス携帯)
- スマホ: smartphone (modern standard)
Common expressions
- 携帯を見る: to look at one's phone
- 携帯を忘れる: to forget one's phone
- 携帯番号: cell phone number
- 携帯の電池が切れる: phone battery dies
Usage
携帯する means 'to carry' (formal): 身分証を携帯する (to carry ID).
Related words
- ケータイ: katakana spelling (casual)
- スマートフォン: smartphone (full form)