Definition

A portable device used to make and receive calls, send text messages, and access the internet via a radio frequency link.

Arabicهَاتِف مَحْمُول
TranslitertionHātif maḥmūl
Pronunciation

Grammatical Information

  • Part of Speech: Compound Noun (اسم مركّب – Ism murakkab)
  • Gender: Masculine (مُذَكَّر – Mudhakkar)
  • Number: Singular (مُفْرَد – Mufrad)

Example Sentences

ArabicTransliterationEnglish TranslationPronunciation
لَازِم إِشْحَن تِلِفُونِيLāzim ‘ishḥan tilfūnīI need to charge my phone
أَيْنَ شَاحِنُ الْهَاتِفِ؟‘Ayna shāḥinu al-hātif?Where is the phone charger?
هَلْ يُوجَدُ وَاي فَاي هُنَا؟Hal yūjadu wāy fāy hunā?Is there Wi-Fi here?
  • Synonym (مُرَادِف):
    • مُوبَايِل (Mubāyil): Mobile (widely used colloquially).
    • جَوَّال (Jawwāl): Mobile/Cell phone (common in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf).

  • Words from the Same Root:
    • هَتَفَ (hatafa): To shout, call out, or cheer.
    • هَاتِف (hātif): Someone calling out; also the modern word for “telephone.”
    • هُتَاف (hutāf): A cheer, chant, or slogan.

Cultural Context

In the Arab world, the هَاتِف مَحْمُول is an indispensable tool for maintaining close-knit social and family ties. It is very common for people to send voice notes or make video calls rather than just texting, as the culture values the warmth of a person’s voice and expression.