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On the phone · English

Calls, messages, formal phrases

A1 · 18 wordsA2 · 23 wordsB1 · 22 wordsB2 · 14 words

A1

airplane modenoun

Switch to airplane mode during take-off and landing.

contactnoun

I lost all my contacts when my old phone broke.

headphonesnoun

She listens to music on her headphones while commuting.

microphonenoun

The microphone was muted during the video call.

muteverb

Please mute your phone during the presentation.

passcodenoun

She forgot her passcode and had to reset the device.

ringtonenoun

She changed her ringtone to a song by her favorite band.

screen locknoun

Set a screen lock to keep your data safe if the phone is lost.

screenshotnoun

Take a screenshot to save the confirmation number.

signalnoun

There is no signal in the subway.

SIM cardnoun

You need to insert a local SIM card to avoid roaming charges.

smartphonenoun

She uses her smartphone for everything from banking to navigation.

speakernoun

He put the phone on speaker so everyone could hear.

swipeverb

Swipe left to dismiss the notification.

tapverb

Tap twice to zoom in.

text messagenoun

He sent a text message to confirm the meeting time.

unlockverb

Unlock the screen with your fingerprint or face.

voicemailnoun

She left a voicemail because he did not answer.

A2 · Premium

battery lifenoun

Long battery life is one of the most important features for heavy users.

blockverb

She blocked the number after repeated unwanted calls.

Bluetoothnoun

Connect the headphones via Bluetooth for wireless listening.

cloud storagenoun

She backs up all her photos to cloud storage automatically.

dark modenoun

Dark mode reduces eye strain in low-light conditions.

data plannoun

His data plan includes 50GB per month and unlimited streaming.

emojinoun

He ended the message with a thumbs-up emoji to show agreement.

fingerprint scannernoun

The fingerprint scanner makes logging into apps much faster.

GPSnoun

The GPS signal was lost in the tunnel.

group chatnoun

She set up a group chat for the project team.

hotspotnoun

She shared her hotspot so the team could work without Wi-Fi.

instant messagingnoun

Instant messaging has largely replaced SMS for everyday communication.

mobile paymentnoun

He paid for his coffee using mobile payment on his watch.

NFCnoun

NFC enables contactless payments and data transfer between devices.

operating systemnoun

The two main mobile operating systems are Android and iOS.

pay-as-you-gonoun

A pay-as-you-go SIM is handy for short trips abroad.

QR codenoun

Scan the QR code to download the app directly.

roamingnoun

International roaming can be very expensive unless you have an add-on.

selfienoun

She took a selfie in front of the Eiffel Tower.

spam callnoun

He receives several spam calls a day from unknown numbers.

storiesnoun

She posts daily stories on her social media profile.

two-factor authenticationnoun

Enable two-factor authentication to protect your accounts.

video callnoun

They make a video call every Sunday to stay in touch.

B1 · Premium

5Gnoun

5G delivers much faster speeds and lower latency than 4G.

app storenoun

Check the app store for updates every week to keep software current.

contactless paymentnoun

Contactless payment is accepted at most stores.

do not disturbnoun

She switches on do not disturb during meetings.

eSIMnoun

An eSIM is embedded in the device and can be switched between networks digitally.

geolocationnoun

The app uses geolocation to suggest nearby restaurants.

IMEI numbernoun

Report the IMEI number to the network if your phone is stolen.

in-app purchasenoun

In-app purchases can add up quickly in mobile games.

malwarenoun

Install only trusted apps to avoid malware infecting your phone.

mobile accessibilitynoun

Mobile accessibility features include larger text, voice control, and screen readers.

mobile network operatornoun

Switching mobile network operator can save money on monthly bills.

MVNOnoun

MVNOs lease capacity from major networks and resell it at lower prices.

parental controlsnoun

Parents use parental controls to limit screen time and block unsuitable content.

permissionnoun

The app requested permission to access your camera and location.

phone addictionnoun

Phone addiction is being studied as a mental health concern among teenagers.

privacy settingsnoun

Review your privacy settings to control what data apps can access.

push notificationnoun

Push notifications alert you to new content even when the app is closed.

SIM swap fraudnoun

SIM swap fraud allows criminals to take control of a victim phone number.

smartwatchnoun

His smartwatch notifies him of messages without needing to check his phone.

spywarenoun

Spyware can track your location and read your messages without you knowing.

subscription modelnoun

Many apps have switched from a one-time fee to a subscription model.

voice assistantnoun

She asks the voice assistant to set timers and reminders.

B2 · Premium

call recordingnoun

Some jurisdictions require consent from all parties before call recording is lawful.

digital dividenoun

The digital divide means those without smartphones are excluded from many services.

e-wastenoun

Mountains of e-waste are generated by discarded smartphones each year.

metadatanoun

Metadata — such as who called whom and when — can reveal as much as content.

mobile ecosystemnoun

Users are often locked into one mobile ecosystem by their investment in apps and accessories.

number portabilitynoun

Number portability lets you keep the same number when switching provider.

parental control appnoun

Parental control apps allow parents to monitor screen time and block content.

phone billnoun

His phone bill rose after he used roaming data abroad.

responsive designnoun

Responsive design ensures a website looks good on screens of any size.

right to repairnoun

The right to repair movement demands that manufacturers make phones fixable by users.

SDKnoun

Developers use the SDK to build features that integrate with the operating system.

sideloadingnoun

Sideloading allows apps to be installed from outside the official app store.

telemedicinenoun

Telemedicine appointments via phone video calls have expanded access to care.

unlimited plannoun

An unlimited plan gives you calls, texts, and data without caps.

Frequently asked

How many English words does the “On the phone” topic cover?

77 words, each with a translation and an example sentence: A1 — 18, A2 — 23, B1 — 22, B2 — 14.

Which “On the phone” words should I learn first?

With the A1 list: airplane mode, contact, headphones, microphone, mute, passcode, ringtone, screen lock, screenshot, signal. The full level is on this page.

Is the whole “On the phone” topic free?

Reading the whole topic is free and needs no account. Practice is free at A1; A2, B1 and B2 need a Premium subscription.

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