Talking on the Phone

The most essential phrase is "moshi moshi." It is used by the caller when connected. It is also used when one can't hear the other person well, or to confirm if the other person is still on the line. Although some people say "moshi moshi" to answer the phone, "hai" is used more often in business.

If the other person speaks too fast, or you couldn't catch what he/she said, say "Yukkuri onegaishimasu (Please speak slowly)" or "Mou ichido onegaishimasu (Please say it again)." "Onegaishimasu" is a useful phrase when making a request.

At the Office

Business phone conversations are extremely polite. The mark * indicates the caller's phrases.
- Could I speak to Mr. Yamada?
* Yamada-san (o) onegaishimasu. 山田さんをお願いします｡

- I'm sorry, but he's not here at the moment.
Moushiwake arimasen ga, tadaima gaishutsu shiteorimasu.
申し訳ありませんが､ ただいま外出しております｡

- Just a moment, please.
Shou shou omachi kudasai. 少々お待ちください｡

- Who's calling, please?
Shitsurei desu ga, dochira sama desu ka.
失礼ですが､どちらさまですか｡

- Do you know what time he/she will be back?
* Nanji goro omodori desu ka.
何時ごろお戻りですか｡

- I'm not sure.
Chotto wakarimasen.
ちょっと分かりません｡

- He/she should be back soon.
Mousugu modoru to omoimasu.
もうすぐ戻ると思います｡

- He/she won't be back till this evening.
Yuugata made modorimasen.
夕方まで戻りません｡

- Can I take a message?
* Nanika otsutae shimashou ka.
何かお伝えしましょうか｡

- Yes, please.
Onegaishimasu.
お願いします｡

- No, it's O.K.
Iie, kekkou desu.
いいえ､結構です｡

- Cold you please ask him/her to call me?
O-denwa kudasai to otsutae negaemasu ka.
お電話くださいとお伝え願えますか｡

- Could you please tell him/her I'll call back later?
Mata denwa shimasu to otsutae kudasai.
また電話しますとお伝えください｡



To Somebody's Home
- Is that Mrs. Tanaka's residence?
* Tanaka-san no otaku desu ka.
田中さんのお宅ですか｡

- Yes, it is.
Hai, sou desu.
はい､そうです｡

- This is Ono. Is Yuki there?
* Ono desu ga, Yuki-san (wa) irasshaimasu ka.
小野ですが､ゆきさんはいらっしゃいますか｡

- I'm sorry for calling so late.
* Yabun osokuni sumimasen.
夜分遅くにすみません｡

- Can I leave a message?
* Dengon o onegaishimasu.
伝言をお願いします｡

- I'll call back later.
* Mata atode denwa shimasu.
まだ後で電話します｡


How to Deal with Wrong Number
- No, you have called the wrong number.
Iie chigaimasu.
いいえ､違います｡

- I'm sorry. I have misdialed.
* Sumimasen. Machigaemashita.
すみません｡　間違えました｡