“I Lost My Phone” in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French

Knowing how to express loss is key during travel or emergencies. This phrase helps you get assistance, report a loss, or ask someone to help you look for it.

Lets look at “I Lost My Phone” in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, German, French

Spanish

1. Word Overview

• Native Phrase: Perdí mi teléfono
• English Translation: I lost my phone
• Part of Speech: Verb (perder), noun (teléfono)
• Gender: Teléfono is masculine
• IPA Pronunciation: /peɾˈdi mi teˈlefono/

2. Example Sentence

• Perdí mi teléfono en el taxi.
• I lost my phone in the taxi.

Perdí is the first person past tense (preterite) of perder, meaning “to lose.”

3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note

In Latin America and Spain, teléfono typically means mobile phone. For clarity, you can say teléfono móvil or celular depending on the region.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Say: Perdí mi teléfono en… and complete the sentence with three different places (e.g., hotel, restaurante, aeropuerto).

Italian

1. Word Overview

• Native Phrase: Ho perso il mio telefono
• English Translation: I lost my phone
• Part of Speech: Verb (perdere), noun (telefono)
• Gender: Telefono is masculine
• IPA Pronunciation: /o ˈpɛr.so il ˈmi.o teˈlɛ.fo.no/

2. Example Sentence

• Ho perso il mio telefono stamattina.
• I lost my phone this morning.

Ho perso is the passato prossimo tense (present perfect), common in Italian for past actions.

3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note

While il mio telefono is clear, many Italians simply say il telefono if the context makes it obvious it’s theirs.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Practice saying: Ho perso il mio telefono ieri. Now change the time: stamattina, oggi, una settimana fa.

Portuguese

1. Word Overview

• Native Phrase: Perdi meu celular
• English Translation: I lost my phone
• Part of Speech: Verb (perder), noun (celular)
• Gender: Celular is masculine
• IPA Pronunciation: /peʁˈdʒi ˈmew se.luˈlaɾ/ (Brazilian)

2. Example Sentence

• Perdi meu celular no metrô.
• I lost my phone on the subway.

Perdi is the first-person singular past tense of perder.

3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note

In Portugal, telemóvel is used instead of celular. Adapt based on your audience.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Write or say: Perdi meu celular em… and add three different places (e.g., ônibus, restaurante, trabalho).

German

1. Word Overview

• Native Phrase: Ich habe mein Handy verloren
• English Translation: I lost my phone
• Part of Speech: Verb (verlieren), noun (Handy)
• Gender: Handy is neuter (das Handy)
• IPA Pronunciation: /ɪç ˈhaːbə maɪ̯n ˈhɛndi fɛɐ̯ˈloːʁən/

2. Example Sentence

• Ich habe mein Handy im Bus verloren.
• I lost my phone on the bus.

German uses the present perfect tense with haben + verloren.

3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note

Handy is the German word for mobile phone and is unique to German — it sounds English but isn’t used that way in English.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Speak aloud: Ich habe mein Handy verloren and change the ending location: im Hotel, auf der Straße, im Park.

French

1. Word Overview

• Native Phrase: J’ai perdu mon téléphone
• English Translation: I lost my phone
• Part of Speech: Verb (perdre), noun (téléphone)
• Gender: Téléphone is masculine
• IPA Pronunciation: /ʒe pɛʁ.dy mɔ̃ te.le.fɔn/

2. Example Sentence

• J’ai perdu mon téléphone dans le train.
• I lost my phone on the train.

J’ai perdu is passé composé (past tense) of perdre, formed with avoir + past participle.

3. Mini Grammar or Culture Note

French often omits possessive reinforcement when context is clear, but mon téléphone is common and natural.

4. Daily Practice Challenge

Write this phrase and change the location three times: J’ai perdu mon téléphone…

Multilingual Bonus Table