Translation guide
In Japanese, 'telephone number' is most commonly expressed as 電話番号 (denwa bangō). In casual conversation, it's often shortened to just 番号 (bangō) when context is clear. When asking for someone's number, natural phrases differ by politeness level.
電話番号を教えてください。
What's your phone number?
私の電話番号は…です。
My phone number is...
Referring to or stating a phone number in any context.
The standard, neutral word for 'telephone number'. Used in both formal and informal settings.
電話番号を教えてください。
Please tell me your telephone number.
ここに電話番号を書いてください。
Please write your telephone number here.
Short for 電話番号. Very common in casual speech when the context is clearly about phone numbers.
番号、教えて。
Tell me your number.
新しい番号に変わったよ。
I changed to a new number.
Specifically a mobile/cell phone number. Common when distinguishing from landline numbers.
携帯番号を登録した。
I registered your mobile number.
Polite form with honorific prefix お. Used in very formal customer service contexts.
お電話番号を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。
May I ask for your telephone number?
Requesting someone's phone number in conversation.
Polite and standard way to ask for a phone number.
すみません、電話番号を教えてください。
Excuse me, could you tell me your phone number?
Casual, friendly way to ask for a number among friends.
ねえ、番号教えてよ。
Hey, give me your number.
Very polite, humble expression used in business or formal situations.
恐れ入りますが、お電話番号を伺ってもよろしいですか。
I'm sorry to trouble you, but may I ask for your phone number?
Telling someone your phone number.
Standard pattern for stating your number. Replace 〜 with the digits.
私の電話番号は090-1234-5678です。
My phone number is 090-1234-5678.
Casual, shortened version. Often used when exchanging numbers.
番号は080-9876-5432だよ。
My number is 080-9876-5432.
Mutual sharing of phone numbers.
Common casual phrase meaning 'Let's exchange numbers'.
今度、番号交換しようよ。
Let's exchange numbers sometime.
Polite suggestion to exchange numbers.
よかったら、電話番号を交換しませんか。
If you'd like, shall we exchange phone numbers?
When saying a phone number, digits are read individually. Hyphens are often indicated with の (no). For example, 03-1234-5678 is read as ゼロサン の イチニサンヨン の ゴロクナナハチ. Mobile numbers often start with 090, 080, or 070.
Do not translate 'telephone number' word-for-word as テレフォンナンバー. While understood, it sounds unnatural and is rarely used by native speakers.