telefonar

Senses

1. 1.

   to call, to phone

   to make a telephone call to someone

2. 2.

   to call (intransitive)

   to make a phone call (without specifying recipient)

Examples

• "Vou telefonar para minha mãe mais tarde."

  I'm going to call my mom later.

• "Ele telefonou ontem dizendo que ia se atrasar."

  He called yesterday saying he was going to be late.

• "Preciso telefonar para o médico para marcar uma consulta."

  I need to call the doctor to schedule an appointment.

Usage

Common verb in Brazilian Portuguese, typically used with the preposition "para" (telefonar para alguém). While still used, it's increasingly being replaced by "ligar" in everyday speech, which is more colloquial. "Telefonar" sounds slightly more formal than "ligar."