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selpon

sélpon with stress marks

mobile phone

noun SEL-pon English origin Common
Illustration of "selpon" (mobile phone)

Usage Note

Selpon is the phonetic Tagalog spelling of 'cellphone' and is the standard term used in both casual conversation and text messaging. It highlights the essential role of mobile technology in the Philippines, a country often referred to as the 'texting capital of the world.'

Examples

Beginner

" Nasaan ang selpon ko? "

Natural Translation

Where is my phone?

Literal Translation

Where the cellphone my?

Intermediate

" Gumagamit ako ng selpon. "

Natural Translation

I am using a mobile phone.

Literal Translation

I am using a mobile phone.

Advanced

" Bagaman maganda ang bagong selpon ko, mas gusto ko sana ang luma dahil mas matagal ang baterya nito. "

Natural Translation

Although my new phone is nice, I actually prefer the old one because its battery lasts longer.

Literal Translation

Although nice the new cellphone my, more like I hopefully the old because more long the battery its.

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