通話

• Reading: つうわ
• Romaji: tsuuwa
• Kanji breakdown: 通 (tsuu) — pass, communicate; 話 (wa) — speak, talk, story
• Pronunciation: /tsɯː.wa/

Meaning

A telephone call; speaking over the phone. Also used for internet voice and video calls.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (通話する). Covers all forms of voice communication: landline calls, mobile calls, and internet-based voice/video calls. Common in everyday and business contexts. Related terms include 通話料 (call charges), 通話中 (on a call/line busy), and 通話時間 (call duration).

Examples

1. この携帯プランは通話料が無制限だ。 This phone plan has unlimited call minutes.
2. 一時間以上通話していたので電池がなくなった。 My battery died after being on a call for over an hour.
3. 通話中に電波が悪くなって切れてしまった。 The signal got bad in the middle of the call and it cut out.

Usage Guide

Context: telecommunications, daily life, business, mobile

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 通 (tsuu, to pass through/communicate) + 話 (wa, to speak/talk). Literally 'communicating speech,' describing the act of conveying spoken words through a communication channel.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal