phôn
[fon˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) telephone
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
He had almost forgotten the Johnny Fontane problem when his secretary told him California was calling. He felt a little thrill of anticipation as he picked up the phone and said, “Hagen here.”He had almost forgotten the problem with Johnny until his secretary told him there was a telephone call from California. Picking up the telephone, he said, “Hagen here.”
Answer the call if contacted by a health department contact tracer (investigator) as part of a case investigation and contact tracing efforts.Answer the telephone if a health department’s contact person (investigator) calls as part of an investigation and contact tracing effort about someone who contracted [COVID-19].
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(verb) to telephone (to call someone)
Register: informal
Examples
You’re not going anyplace. Your girl friend called and said she can’t make it tonight. You lousy bastard, you have the nerve to give your whores my phone number. I’ll kill you, you bastard.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “phôn” mean?
(noun) telephone
Is “phôn” formal or informal?
phôn is generally informal.