landline
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landline
The telecommunications network that works via physical lines (cables), as opposed to the mobile network. The term can refer to the entire system, an individual connection, or the associated telephone.
Anrufe ins deutsche Festnetz sind oft günstiger als auf Mobiltelefone.
Calls to German landlines are often cheaper than calls to mobile phones.
'Festnetz' (landline network) is a compound noun made from 'fest' (in the sense of 'fixed', 'not movable') and 'Netz' (network). So it describes a network that is tied to fixed lines and locations.
Früher hatte fast jeder Haushalt einen Anschluss für das Festnetz.
In the past, almost every household had a landline connection.
A distinction is made between 'im Festnetz' (when you are calling via a landline connection) and 'ins Festnetz' (when the destination of the call is a landline connection).
Ein Anruf ins deutsche Festnetz ist in meiner Flatrate enthalten.
A call to a German landline is included in my flat rate.
Common phrases are 'aus dem Festnetz anrufen' (to call from a landline), 'ein Anruf ins Festnetz' (a call to a landline), or 'ein Festnetz-Anschluss' (a landline connection). The term is often used in price lists from telephone providers.
Wie lautet deine Festnetz-Nummer?
What is your landline number?
mobile phone / cell phone
'das Handy' and 'das Festnetz' are both related to making phone calls, but they stand for different types of connection. A 'Handy' is mobile and works via the mobile network. 'das Festnetz' is tied to a fixed connection and runs through physical lines. The words can be confused when someone asks for a phone number. A mobile number usually reaches a person while they are out and about; a landline number is more likely to belong to an apartment, an office, or a fixed connection. The simple contrast is: 'Handy' means mobile, 'Festnetz' means fixed-line.
Über das Festnetz erreicht man meine Eltern abends am besten.
My parents are easiest to reach in the evening on the landline.
Bei der Bewerbung gebe ich lieber meine Handynummer an.
For the application, I prefer to give my mobile number.