Answering the Phone Politely in Japanese: Formal and Informal Phrases
Learn to answer calls in Japanese with polite and casual phrases, including 'Hello, this is...' and handling wrong numbers.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Answering the phone in Japanese requires choosing the right level of politeness. In business settings, you must use humble and respectful language, while with friends, casual phrases are fine. This lesson focuses only on answering calls, not making them. You will learn standard greetings, how to identify yourself, ask the caller to wait, and respond to wrong numbers. Practice both formal and informal versions to sound natural in any situation.
By the end, you can…
- answer the phone politely in formal and informal Japanese.
- identify myself and ask the caller to wait or repeat information.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
もしもし
Hello (on the phone)
moshi moshi
Used only on the phone, not in person. Safe for both formal and informal contexts, but in business calls it is often skipped in favor of 'Hai'.
はい、〇〇でございます
Hello, this is [company name]
hai, [company name] de gozaimasu
Very formal. Used when answering a business call. Replace 〇〇 with your company or department name. 'De gozaimasu' is the humble polite form of 'desu'.
お電話ありがとうございます
Thank you for calling
odenwa arigatou gozaimasu
Polite phrase used in business after the initial greeting. Shows appreciation before asking the caller's name.
田中と申します
My name is Tanaka
Tanaka to moushimasu
Humble way to give your name. Used in formal contexts. For informal, use 'Tanaka da yo' or 'Tanaka desu'.
少々お待ちください
Please wait a moment
shoushou omachi kudasai
Polite request to hold. In casual conversation, use 'Chotto matte' or 'Chotto matte ne'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
When answering a business call, start with 'Hai' or 'Moshi moshi', then state your company name with 'de gozaimasu'. For example: 'Hai, Maru Maru Shokai de gozaimasu.' Then add 'Odenwa arigatou gozaimasu.' To give your name, use 'to moushimasu': 'Tanaka to moushimasu.' To ask the caller to wait, say 'Shoushou omachi kudasai.' For informal calls, you can simply say 'Moshi moshi' and then 'Tanaka da yo' or 'Tanaka desu.'
When to use it
Use formal phrases when answering calls at work, to customers, or to superiors. For example, if you work at a hotel: 'Hai, Hoteru Sakura de gozaimasu.' If a friend calls, you can answer with 'Moshi moshi, genki?' or just 'Moshi moshi.' If you need to check who is calling, say 'Nanika goyou deshou ka' (formal) or 'Doushita no?' (informal). Never use casual forms with clients or in business settings.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
はい、山田商事でございます。
Hello, this is Yamada Trading.hai, Yamada Shouji de gozaimasuもしもし、田中さんをお願いします。
Hello, may I speak to Mr. Tanaka?moshi moshi, Tanaka-san o onegaishimasu少々お待ちください。
Please wait a moment.shoushou omachi kudasaiはい、お願いします。
Yes, please.hai, onegaishimasuA little context goes a long way
In Japanese business calls, it is common to skip 'Moshi moshi' and start with 'Hai' followed by the company name. 'Moshi moshi' is used mainly for personal calls. Also, when answering a wrong number, say 'Chigaimasu' or 'Machigatte imasu' politely, and avoid hanging up abruptly. Bowing while speaking on the phone is a common habit, though not required.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Moshi moshi' in a formal business call.
Try this instead: In formal contexts, start with 'Hai' and your company name. For example: 'Hai, Maru Maru Shokai de gozaimasu.' 'Moshi moshi' is acceptable for personal calls but can sound too casual for business.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you answer a business call at your company 'Sakura Inc.'?
Show a sample answer
はい、さくら株式会社でございます。
This uses 'Hai' and the company name with 'de gozaimasu'. It is polite and standard. You could also add 'Odenwa arigatou gozaimasu' after.
2What do you say to ask the caller to wait a moment in a formal call?
Show a sample answer
少々お待ちください。
This is the polite way to ask someone to hold. In casual settings, 'Chotto matte' is fine, but for business, use 'Shoushou omachi kudasai'.
3How would you give your name humbly in a formal call?
Show a sample answer
田中と申します。
'To moushimasu' is the humble form of 'to iimasu'. It is appropriate for business. In casual talk, you can say 'Tanaka da yo' or 'Tanaka desu'.
Always match your phone greeting to the context: formal for business, casual for friends. Use 'Hai' and company name for work, 'Moshi moshi' for personal calls.
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