# How to Make a Phone Call in Japanese | Professional and Casual Greetings > Japanese phone greetings explained: from casual phrases like “moshi moshi” to business etiquette, messages, and polite endings—everything you need in one guide. **URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-phone-greetings **Last Updated:** 2025-10-02 **Tags:** vocabulary, culture, listicle --- So, planning to visit Japan soon? Or maybe you’re already living there and need to pick up the phone for work, school, or just chatting with friends. And even if you’re overseas, chances are you’ll still find yourself calling Japanese friends on WhatsApp, Skype or LINE. Let’s be honest: if you want to [learn Japanese](/learn-japanese) to any decent level of proficiency, it’s going to take a solid chunk of time. The United States State Department even classifies Japanese as a “super-hard language.” But phone greetings? That’s one of those skills you can start using (and mastering) right away. > Whatever your situation is, this article will guide you through everything you need to know about Japanese phone greetings. From the casual moshi moshi you’ve probably heard in movies and anime, to the ultra-polished business etiquette required in professional settings, you’ll be fully prepared to handle any call with confidence! --- ## Why phone etiquette matters in Japan In Japan, politeness and hierarchy shape how people communicate. _(If this is news to you, see [our blog post on keigo](/blog/japanese/introduction-to-keigo))._ The way you talk changes depending on whether you’re talking to a friend, a boss, or a client. This cultural expectation naturally extends to phone calls. Unlike face-to-face meetings, where body language and visual cues soften your words, the phone relies on tone and phrasing alone. That’s why speaking politely—and choosing the right greeting—matters so much. #### Pick the right Japanese greeting - **Casual calls**: relaxed greetings like もしもし (moshi moshi) or はい (hai). - **Formal/business calls**: honorifics (keigo), company names, and phrases like いつもお世話になっております (“Thank you for your continued support”). Knowing which level of politeness to use can mean the difference between sounding friendly and sounding rude. We’ll go into these greetings in more detail in the following section. ### When to Use Casual vs. Formal Greetings In Japanese, the way you answer the phone depends on who’s calling and the relationship you have with them. Using the wrong level of politeness can make you sound either too stiff with friends or too casual in a professional setting. #### Use casual greetings when: - You’re talking to friends or family. - The situation is relaxed and you don’t need to show hierarchy. - Typical phrases: もしもし (moshi moshi), はい (hai). #### Use formal greetings when: - You’re answering business calls. - You’re speaking with clients, superiors, or anyone you should show respect to. - Typical phrases: はい、___でございます (Yes, this is ___), いつもお世話になっております (Thank you for your continued support). > 💡 Pro Tip 💡
Even if you know the person well, if it’s a work-related call, default to formal language. Japanese workplace culture values maintaining professionalism on the phone. --- ## Common Japanese phone greetings for casual situations When you’re calling friends or family in Japan, the rules are much looser than in a business setting. You don’t need to worry about honorifics or formal phrasing—just sounding natural is enough. Here are the most common ways people usually answer the phone: ### もしもし (moshi moshi) – when and why it’s used You’ve probably heard moshi moshi in anime or movies. But what does it actually mean? [According to the Japanese edition of Wiktionary](https://ja.wiktionary.org/wiki/%E3%82%82%E3%81%97%E3%82%82%E3%81%97): > “moshi moshi” is an interjection used to call out to someone, especially on the telephone. Moshi moshi comes from the verb 申す (mōsu), a humble way of saying “to speak.” Originally, people repeated it as もうしもうし (mōshi mōshi) to confirm the line was working. Over time, this shifted in sound to the shorter もしもし (moshi moshi), which became the standard on the telephone. Today, it’s the standard way to start a casual phone conversation. > ‼️ Attention ‼️
_Moshi moshi_ is never used in business calls. Shortening words in this fashion is considered disrespectful when speaking to superiors, so _moshi moshi_ is avoided in business contexts. ### はい (hai) – answering among friends or family Another very common way to pick up the phone is just saying hai (“yes”). You’ll hear this a lot if the caller ID shows a familiar name. It’s shorter and feels more direct than moshi moshi. Often, hai is followed immediately by the person’s name or a casual phrase, like: - はい、マイクだよ！
Hai, Mike da yo!
_Yes, it’s Mike!_ This style works fine with people you’re close to, but not with strangers. ### もし / もっしー (moshi / mosshī) – playful variations Sometimes you might hear shortened or playful versions of moshi moshi. - **もし (moshi)**: Very casual, usually said quickly when answering a call from a close friend. - **もっしー (mosshī)**: A joking or cute way to answer, often between young people or in a lighthearted mood. These aren’t standard greetings—you won’t find them in textbooks—but they do pop up in daily life. Think of them like saying “’sup?” instead of “hello” in English. Note: Use these only with people you’re really close to. They’re fun, but totally inappropriate in formal or business settings. ### Short sample dialogue between friends Here’s what a casual phone call might sound like: Japanese: - A: もしもし？ - B: もしもし！今ひましてる？ - A: うん、ちょうど休憩してるとこ。 English: - A: Hello? - B: Hey! Are you free right now? - A: Yeah, I’m just on a break. --- ## Professional Japanese phone greetings When answering professional calls in Japan, greetings are much more structured than in casual conversations. Using the right expressions shows respect and sets the tone for the entire conversation. Here are the key phrases you’ll need: ### はい、___です (Yes, this is ___) This is the most common way to introduce yourself or your company when answering the phone. #### Individual at work - 「はい、Alexです。」
“Yes, this is Alex.” #### Company / department: - 「はい、株式会社〇〇でございます。」
Hello, this is 〇〇 Corporation.” > 💡 Insight 💡
Adding _de gozaimasu_ makes it more polite than simply saying desu. It’s the standard for customer-facing calls. ### どちら様でしょうか (May I ask who’s calling?) When you don’t recognize the caller, you can politely ask who they are. - 恐れ入りますが、どちら様でしょうか？
May I ask who’s calling? This comes off much softer and more polite than directly saying “Who is this?” in English. Adding 「恐れ入りますが」 (excuse me, but…) makes it extra polite. ### 私は___です (This is ___) When you make a phone call in Japanese, it’s expected that you introduce yourself right away—by saying your name and, in business, the company you represent. - 私は ___ です。
This is ___. (Polite) - 私は ___ と申します。
This is ___. (Very polite, humble) - 私は \_(name)\_ の \_(name)\_ です／と申します。
I am ___ from ___. (Business) > 💡 Insight 💡
In Japanese business culture, introducing both your name and company shows professionalism, because you’re seen as a representative of your group—not just yourself. Example: - いつもお世話になっております。△△株式会社の田中でございます。
Thank you for your continued support. This is Tanaka from △△ Corporation. ### いつもお世話になっております (Thank you for your continued support) This phrase doesn’t have a direct English equivalent, but it’s essential in Japanese business culture. - Used at the start of most business calls to acknowledge the ongoing relationship. - Shows gratitude and respect for the other person’s time and support. Example: - いつもお世話になっております。△△商事の田中でございます。
Thank you for your continued support. This is Tanaka from △△ Corporation. > 💡 Insight 💡
Even if the relationship is new, this phrase is often used as a polite default. ### Appropriate tone & honorifics In business phone calls, what you say matters, but how you say it matters just as much. #### Tone Speak clearly, slowly, and with a slightly higher pitch than usual. It signals attentiveness. #### Honorifics (keigo) For a more thorough introduction to Japanese honorifics, [see this article](/blog/japanese/japanese-honorifics). Otherwise, in brief: - Use 「◯◯様」 for clients/customers instead of 「◯◯さん」. - Use humble forms for yourself (e.g., 申します instead of 言います ). - Use respectful forms for the other person (e.g., いらっしゃいますか instead of いますか ). A few examples: - 今いますか？
Are they there now? (Casual) - ただいまいらっしゃいますでしょうか？
Might they be available right now? (Business) --- ## Useful phrases for phone conversations Once you’ve mastered greetings, the next step is handling the flow of a conversation. These are the most common phrases you’ll hear (and need to use) in Japanese phone calls. ### ___さんをお願いします (May I speak with ___?) If you want to speak with a specific person, use this phrase: - △△さんをお願いします。
May I speak with Mr./Ms. △△, please? In business, add more politeness: - △△様をお願いできますでしょうか？
Could I possibly speak with Mr./Ms. △△? #### Note on “san” vs. “sama” In Japanese, honorifics change the level of respect you show: - さん (san): the most common and neutral honorific. Similar to “Mr.” / “Ms.” in English, used in daily life with colleagues, acquaintances, or even strangers politely. - 様 (sama): a more respectful and formal version. Often used for clients, customers, or when you need to show extra politeness. ### 少々お待ちください (Please hold on for a moment) When you need time to transfer the call or check something, say: - 少々お待ちください。
Please hold on for a moment. Even more polite: - 少々お待ちいただけますでしょうか。
May I kindly ask you to hold for a moment? > 💡 Pro Tip 💡
Japanese phone etiquette values acknowledging the wait. If it takes longer, return to the call and apologize, as shown below ↓↓↓ - お待たせいたしました。
Thank you for waiting. 「お待たせいたしました」 is a uniquely Japanese expression that combines both an apology (“I’m sorry to have kept you waiting”) and gratitude (“Thank you for waiting”). In English, “Sorry to have kept you waiting” is the closest translation, but “Thank you for waiting” is also commonly used. ### 電波が悪いようです (The connection seems to be poor) Phones don’t always cooperate. To explain poor audio, say: - すみません、電波が悪いようです。
Sorry, the connection seems to be poor. Other options: - もう一度おっしゃっていただけますか？
Could you please say that again? - 声が少し遠いようです。
Your voice sounds a bit faint. ### もう一度お願いします (Could you say that again?) For language learners, speaking on the phone in a foreign language often feels more difficult than having a face-to-face conversation. Don’t worry, though. If you don’t catch what the other person said, it’s perfectly fine to ask politely: - すみません、もう一度お願いします。
Sorry, could you say that again? - すみません、もっとゆっくり話してくださいませんか？
Sorry, could you please speak a little more slowly? > 💡 Pro Tip 💡
Japanese people are usually very understanding if you say this politely. In fact, most will naturally slow down once they realize you’re learning the language. ### 失礼いたします (I’ll take my leave) When finishing a professional call, don’t just hang up. Use: - それでは、失礼いたします。
Well then, I’ll take my leave. This phrase signals the conversation is ending and keeps things polite. In casual calls with friends, you’d just say じゃあね (“See you”) or バイバイ (“Bye-bye”). These phrases are mainly used for business calls or when contacting stores/organizations, not casual chats with friends. --- ## Leaving a message, receiving a message In business calls, you won’t always reach the person you’re looking for. That’s why knowing how to leave messages and respond politely is essential. ### 伝言をお願いします (Could I leave a message?) If the person you’re calling is not available, you can ask the receiver to pass on your message. - 恐れ入りますが、△△様に伝言をお願いできますでしょうか。
Excuse me, but could I leave a message for Mr./Ms. △△? This keeps the request polite and professional. ### 折り返しお願いします (Could you please ask them to return my call?) If you prefer that the other person returns the call, use: - お手すきの際に折り返しお電話いただけますでしょうか。
Could you please ask them to return my call when convenient? Shorter version (still polite, though it sounds quite abrupt in English): - 折り返しお願いします。
Please call me back. ### Responding to a message politely If you’re the one receiving the message, it’s important to acknowledge it politely: - かしこまりました。△△にお伝えいたします。
Certainly. I will let Mr./Ms. △△ know. If someone asks for a callback: - 承知いたしました。折り返しご連絡いたします。
Understood. I will return the call. > 💡 Pro Tip 💡
Always repeat the caller’s name and phone number back to confirm you got it right. This avoids mistakes. --- ## Hanging up the phone Ending a call politely is just as important as starting one—especially in Japanese culture. ### Casual (friends/family) A few options for you: - じゃあね！
See you! - またね！
Talk to you later! - バイバイ！
Bye-bye! Super light and friendly, no need for keigo. ### Semi-formal (teachers, acquaintances, service staff) Now a few you can use with people you aren't as close to: - それでは、失礼します。
Well then, goodbye. - ありがとうございます。失礼します。
Thank you, goodbye. ### Formal/Business And now some more professional ways to end a call: - それでは、失礼いたします。
Well then, I’ll take my leave. - 本日はありがとうございました。失礼いたします。
Thank you very much for today. Goodbye. > 🔎 Cultural Note 🔎
In Japan, you usually wait for the more senior or customer side to hang up first. If you’re the junior or the service provider, keep the line open a second longer to avoid sounding abrupt. --- ## Sample dialogues Seeing the phrases in action makes it much easier to remember. Here are two sample phone conversations—one casual, one professional. ### Casual call (two friends) Here's how a casual phone call might look, first in Japanese then in Englsih: Japanese: - **A**: もしもし？ - **B**: もしー！今大丈夫？ - **A**: うん、暇してるよ。 - **B**: ちょっとゲームしない？ - **A**: いいね！やろう！ English: - **A**: Hello? - **B**: Hey! Is now a good time? - **A**: Yeah, I’m free. - **B**: Wanna play a game? - **A**: Sounds good! Let’s do it! ### Business call (client and company representative) And now the sort of thing you might hear in a more formal situation: Japanese: - **Representative**: はい、株式会社〇〇でございます。 - **Client**: いつもお世話になっております。△△商事の田中と申します。 - **Representative**: いつもありがとうございます。田中様ですね。どういったご用件でしょうか。 - **Client**: 来週の打ち合わせについて確認したくお電話いたしました。 - **Representative**: 承知いたしました。担当者におつなぎいたしますので、少々お待ちくださいませ。 English: - **Representative**: Hello, this is 〇〇 Corporation. - **Client**: Thank you for your continued support. This is Tanaka from △△ Corporation. - **Representative**: Thank you as always, Mr. Tanaka. How may I help you today? - **Client**: I’m calling to confirm next week’s meeting. - **Representative**: Understood. I’ll connect you to the person in charge. Please hold for a moment. --- ## Modern alternatives to phone calls Phones aren’t the only way people communicate in Japan anymore. In fact, for many situations, apps have taken over. Still, knowing traditional phone etiquette is far from useless. ### Rise of messaging apps like LINE WhatsApp and Messenger are common worldwide, but in Japan, LINE is the dominant messaging app—used by approx. 80% of the population, or about 97 million monthly users, according to [Digital 2025](https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-japan). People often use LINE calls instead of traditional phone calls. - **Friends**: Since LINE works over Wi-Fi and offers free calls, many friends use it even if they know each other’s phone numbers. Instead of calling, people often send a quick text via LINE to check in. (Unlike in some Western countries, sending voice notes is less common in Japan.) - **Workplaces**: Some smaller companies even use LINE groups for internal communication. However, in many professional settings, exchanging LINE IDs or handling work communication through LINE can feel a bit like an invasion of privacy. Companies often prefer Slack, Chatwork, or email instead, to help separate personal and professional life. For casual communication, messaging apps often feel more convenient and less intrusive than a phone call. ### Why formal phone etiquette still matters Even though apps are popular, formal phone calls are still a key part of Japanese business culture. - **Job hunting & interviews**: Companies expect polite phone calls. - **Client relationships**: A phone call shows more respect than a text. - **Reservations & inquiries**: Restaurants, clinics, and government offices often require phone calls. In other words: LINE may cover your social life, but professional credibility in Japan still hinges upon phone etiquette. If you want to build trust and avoid sounding rude, mastering formal greetings on the phone is non-negotiable. --- ## FAQs: Frequently-asked questions Even after learning the basics, you might still wonder about specific situations. Here are some of the most common questions learners have: Moshi moshi is fine with friends, but never in professional calls. - × Don’t use it when answering your company phone. - × Don’t use it with clients, teachers, or superiors. ◎ Instead: 「はい、〇〇でございます。」 Not always. With friends and family, casual phrases (もしもし , はい , うん ) are enough. With colleagues, clients, and anyone above you, keigo is expected. > 👍 Rule of Thumb 👍
When in doubt, be more polite. It’s safer to sound “too polite” than “too casual.” Mistakes happen! In Japan, the polite way is to: First apologize: - 「申し訳ございません、間違えました。」
(“I’m very sorry, I dialed the wrong number.”) Then hang up promptly. Don’t try to explain too much—just apologize and end the call quickly. Yes—ending a call without saying anything is generally considered rude in Japan. Instead of simply hanging up, people usually close with a polite phrase like: - 「それでは、失礼いたします。」
(“Well then, I’ll take my leave.”) - 「ありがとうございました。」
(“Thank you very much.”) > 🔎 Cultural Note 🔎
In business settings, the less senior person or service provider usually waits for the client or senior person to hang up first. Cutting the line too quickly can feel abrupt. Yes! Sometimes Japanese people say もしもし？ to get someone’s attention if they look distracted or are daydreaming. It’s like saying “Hey, are you listening?” in English. Here's an example of that, first in Japanese: - A: _（ぼーっとしている）_ - B: もしもーし？聞いてる？ - A: あ、ごめんごめん！ And now in English: - A: _(daydreaming)_ - B: Hellooooo? Are you listening? - A: Oh, sorry, sorry! Just remember: it’s playful and casual. Don’t use this in business settings—it would sound strange. Also, if you use もしもし？ to get someone’s attention, keep your voice light and friendly. If the tone is too heavy or drawn out (like an exaggerated “Hellooooo?”), it can sound snarky or passive-aggressive. The phrase “moshi moshi” is written in Japanese as: - もしもし (in hiragana, most common) - モシモシ (in katakana, less common) - There is no kanji form. The expression originally came from repeating the verb 申す (mōsu, “to speak”) as 申し申し, which later shortened in sound to moshi moshi. Today, it’s almost always written in hiragana when used as a phone greeting. --- ## Struggling to wrap your head around Japanese phone etiquette? It might feel overwhelming to remember when to say moshi moshi, when to use hai, or how to sound polite enough on the phone. But don’t worry—this isn’t something you need to memorize all at once. As you spend more time consuming Japanese media, you’ll naturally come across phone scenes again and again. You’ll hear people greet each other with _moshi moshi_...

or start a client call with _itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu_...

And little by little, it will stick. > You’ll develop an intuitive feel for how to greet someone over the phone, take a call, and end it politely—without even realizing you’re learning. _Free for 10 days. No credit card required._ --- ## Learn Japanese — _to the last ring_ At the end of the day, Japanese phone etiquette isn’t about memorizing every phrase. It’s about knowing when to be casual, when to be formal, and letting your tone do the work. Moshi moshi for friends, hai everywhere, and polite set phrases for business—those are the essentials. The rest will come naturally as you keep listening to real Japanese. That point is important—it's the Golden Rule of Language Learning: > If you consume Japanese media, and you understand some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period._ So pick up that phone, don’t stress too much, and... がんばって！