Answering the Phone in Mandarin Chinese: Polite Formal and Informal Responses
Learn to answer phone calls in Mandarin Chinese with polite formal and casual informal phrases, including 'Hello, this is...' and practical register guidance.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Answering the phone in Mandarin Chinese is not a direct translation of English phone habits. The most common greeting, 喂 (wéi), is used mainly when picking up a call, and the choice between formal and informal language depends on who is calling and why. This lesson focuses only on answering calls. You will learn how to identify yourself, ask who is speaking, and respond politely in workplace and casual situations. All examples use simplified Chinese characters, pinyin with tone marks, and natural Mainland Mandarin.
By the end, you can…
- answer a phone call in Mandarin with an appropriate greeting.
- identify myself politely using 我是 or 这里是.
- ask who is calling in formal and informal ways.
- choose between formal and informal phone-answering phrases.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
喂，你好。
Hello.
wèi, nǐ hǎo
Standard polite answer when picking up a call. 喂 is mainly used on the phone, not face to face.
喂，我是王明。
Hello, this is Wang Ming.
wèi, wǒ shì Wáng Míng
Informal but clear self-identification. Common among friends, classmates and colleagues.
您好，这里是ABC公司。
Hello, this is ABC Company.
nín hǎo, zhèlǐ shì ABC gōngsī
Formal workplace answer. 您 is polite 'you'; 这里 means 'here' and is common for organizations.
请问您是哪位？
May I ask who is calling?
qǐngwèn nín shì nǎ wèi
Polite way to ask the caller's identity. 请问 softens the question; 哪位 is respectful.
你找谁？
Who are you looking for?
nǐ zhǎo shéi
Informal and direct. Use only with friends, family or people you know well.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
A common formal pattern is 您好，这里是 + place or company. For example, 您好，这里是前台。means 'Hello, this is the front desk.' To identify yourself personally, use 我是 + name, as in 我是李华。To ask who is calling, use 请问您是哪位？In informal situations, 喂，我是... is enough. Notice that Chinese does not use a separate word for 'it' in 'this is'; 是 links the speaker or place to the identity.
When to use it
Use 您好，这里是... when answering a workplace line, especially if the caller may not know you. Use 喂，我是... when friends or family call your mobile. If you do not recognize the caller, 请问您是哪位？is safe and polite. Avoid 你找谁？with customers, senior colleagues or strangers, because it can sound abrupt. If the call is for someone else, say 请稍等，我帮你转过去。meaning 'Please wait, I'll transfer you.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
喂，您好，这里是东方公司。
Hello, this is Dongfang Company.wèi, nín hǎo, zhèlǐ shì Dōngfāng gōngsī您好，我找王经理。
Hello, I'm looking for Manager Wang.nín hǎo, wǒ zhǎo Wáng jīnglǐ请问您是哪位？
May I ask who is calling?qǐngwèn nín shì nǎ wèi我是李华，他的客户。
This is Li Hua, his client.wǒ shì Lǐ Huá, tā de kèhùA little context goes a long way
In Mainland Mandarin, 喂 (wèi) is strongly associated with phone calls. Using it face to face can seem rude or strange. Politeness also depends on 你 versus 您: 您 shows respect to customers, elders or senior colleagues. In many workplaces, answering with the company name first is expected, while personal mobile calls usually start with 喂 and a name.
One thing to watch for
Answering a formal business call with 喂，你找谁？
Try this instead: Use 您好，请问您是哪位？or 您好，这里是... instead. 你找谁？is too direct for customers or senior colleagues. For example, say 您好，请问您是哪位？to ask who is calling politely.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you answer a company phone line politely in Mandarin?
Show a sample answer
您好，这里是ABC公司。
This uses 您好 for politeness and 这里是 to identify the organization. Other company names can replace ABC公司.
2How do you say 'Hello, this is Wang Ming' informally?
Show a sample answer
喂，我是王明。
喂 is the standard phone greeting, and 我是 introduces the speaker. This is suitable for friends, family or close colleagues.
3How do you politely ask who is calling?
Show a sample answer
请问您是哪位？
请问 softens the question, and 您是哪位 is respectful. 您是哪位？without 请问 is also possible but slightly less soft.
Answer with 喂 for personal calls and 您好，这里是... for formal lines. Use 我是 + name to identify yourself, and 请问您是哪位？to ask who is calling politely.
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