verb
to phone, to call (on the phone)
A1
'telefonieren' means 'to phone' or 'to call (on the phone)'. It's a regular weak verb, non-reflexive and not separable. It forms perfect with haben (hat telefoniert). Common construction: telefonieren mit + D (Ich telefoniere mit ihm). Use 'anrufen' if emphasizing calling someone directly.
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Der Kollege telefonierte lange, obwohl das Büro geschlossen war, damit er die neuen Informationen klären konnte.
The colleague phoned for a long time although the office was closed so that he could clarify the new information.
Ich telefoniere jeden Abend mit meiner Mutter.
I phone my mother every evening.
Kannst du bitte später noch einmal anrufen? Ich telefoniere gerade.
Can you please call again later? I'm on the phone right now.
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Imagine someone holding a phone to their ear and speaking
telefonieren → telephone → to phone
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Verb built from 'Telefon'. Regular -ieren verb; perfect uses 'haben' (ich habe telefoniert). | Intransitive verb; passive conjugations are not applicable.