das Telefonat
phone call
A conversation conducted over the telephone.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss noch ein wichtiges Telefonat mit einem Kunden führen.
I still need to make an important phone call with a customer.
das Telefonat
phone call
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word formation
The ending '-at' turns the word stem 'Telefon' (telephone) into a noun that describes a single event or process. So it refers to a single telephone conversation.
EXAMPLE
Das Referat des Studenten war sehr informativ.
The student's presentation was very informative.
Typical verb
Especially in formal or business contexts, 'Telefonat' (phone call) is often combined with the verb 'führen' (to conduct): 'ein Telefonat führen' (to make/conduct a phone call).
EXAMPLE
Ich muss später noch ein langes Telefonat mit der Versicherung führen.
I still have to make a long phone call with the insurance company later.
Typical prepositions
To name the person you are speaking with, use 'mit' + dative. To name the reason, use 'wegen' + genitive.
EXAMPLE
Ich hatte gestern ein kurzes Telefonat mit meiner Chefin.
I had a short phone call with my boss yesterday.
Compare with
Telefonat vs Gespräch
conversation
Gespräch and Telefonat both refer to a spoken exchange, but only Telefonat specifies the telephone as the medium. Gespräch remains neutral about the medium. Use Telefonat when the fact that it was by phone is important, and Gespräch when the exchange itself is the focus.
Telefonat
Das Telefonat über den Termin dauerte nur wenige Minuten.
The phone call about the appointment lasted only a few minutes.
Gespräch
Das Gespräch über den Termin dauerte nur wenige Minuten.
The conversation about the appointment lasted only a few minutes.
In real life
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