携帯

• Reading: けいたい
• Romaji: keitai
• Kanji breakdown: 携 (kei) — carry in hand, bring along; 帯 (tai) — belt, wear, carry
• Pronunciation: /keː.tai/

Meaning

Carrying something; portable; mobile telephone. Both the act of carrying and the device you carry.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (携帯する). Has two main uses: the general meaning of carrying something with you (携帯品 — personal belongings, 携帯する — to carry on one's person), and as a shortened form of 携帯電話 (mobile phone). In conversation, 携帯 alone almost always means mobile phone, though スマホ is now more common for smartphones. The formal verb usage 携帯する appears in signs like 身分証を携帯してください (please carry identification).

Examples

1. 電車の中で携帯を見ている人が多い。 A lot of people are looking at their phones on the train.
2. パスポートは常に携帯してください。 Please carry your passport with you at all times.
3. 携帯の電池がもうすぐ切れそうだ。 My phone's battery is about to die.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, technology, travel

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 携 (kei, carry in hand) and 帯 (tai, wear/belt). Literally 'carrying on one's belt/person' — something kept close at hand.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal