Payphone Meaning in English

word

US

ˈpeɪˌfoʊn

PAY-fohn

UK

pˈeɪfəʊn

PAY-fohn

Definition

A payphone is a public telephone that you pay to use, usually by inserting coins or a card.

Usage & Nuances

Used mainly in the past before mobile phones were common; now, many are no longer in service. Usually called a 'payphone' in the US and a 'public phone' or 'phone box' in the UK. Often seen in phrases like 'use the payphone' or 'find a payphone.'

• Spanish: teléfono público
• Portuguese (BR): orelhão - telefone público
• Portuguese (PT): telefone público
• Chinese (Simplified): 公用电话
• Chinese (Traditional): 公用電話
• Hindi: सार्वजनिक फोन
• Arabic: هاتف عمومي
• Bengali: পে-ফোন - পাবলিক টেলিফোন
• Russian: телефон-автомат - таксофон
• Japanese: 公衆電話
• Vietnamese: điện thoại công cộng
• Korean: 공중전화
• Turkish: jetonlu telefon - ankesörlü telefon
• Urdu: پے فون - عوامی فون
• Indonesian: telepon umum

Example Sentences

She called her friend using a payphone.

basic

I couldn't find a payphone in the city.

basic

The payphone is next to the bus stop.

basic

All the payphones in my neighborhood have been removed.

natural

Do you remember the last time you used a payphone?

natural

Back in the day, people lined up to use the payphone after school.

natural