電話する
denwa suru
To call (to contact by telephone) in Japanese is 電話する (denwa suru). Wiktionary also lists 電話をかける (denwa o kakeru).
Meaning: to contact by telephone (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 電話する | denwa suru | |
| 電話をかける | denwa o kakeru | [dẽ̞ɰ̃β̞a̠ o̞ ka̠ke̞ɾɯ̟] (narrow) |
The primary way to say you will call someone is 電話する. You can also use 電話をかける when you want to emphasize the specific act of dialing or making a phone call.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 電話する is composed of the noun denwa (telephone) and the verb suru (to do).
Which one should you use?
電話をかける is often used when describing the specific act of dialing or placing a call to someone.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn 電話する into a polite request meaning 'please call', you use the form 電話してください.
How do you pronounce it?
denwa suru
Did you know?
- When answering the phone, Japanese people say もしもし (moshi moshi). This is a repetition of もし (if), used to ensure the other person is actually there and listening.
- In a business context, Japanese speakers often use お電話させていただきます to say they will call, which literally translates to 'I will receive the favor of allowing me to call'.
- Japanese has a specific word 折り返し (orikaeshi) for a 'call back', which literally means 'folding back' or 'turning around'.
Examples in context
- 毎晩電話するよ。I'll call you every night.This example shows how to use 電話する to express a recurring nightly action.Tatoeba #81225 by bunbuku, translation #1438080 by CK
- 後で電話するよ。I'll call you later.This example shows how to use 電話する to express an action happening at a later time.Tatoeba #174335 by bunbuku, translation #71680 by CK
- 毎日電話するよ。I'm going to call you every day.This example shows how to use 電話する to express a daily intention.Tatoeba #8645486 by bunbuku, translation #7120702 by CK
- 彼に電話をしました。I called him.
- お客様にお電話をいたします。(Okyakusama ni odenwa o itashimasu.)I will call the customer.
- 昨日友達に電話したよ。 (Kino tomodachi ni denwa shita yo.)I called my friend yesterday.
- 彼女に電話かけたら出なかった。(Kanojo ni denwa kaketa ra denakatta.)I called her, but she didn't answer.
- もう少し後で連絡するね。(Mou sukoshi ato de renraku suru ne.)I'll contact you a little later, okay?
- 93 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are deciding when to talk about their plans.
- 健太 Kenta明日、電話するね。Ashita, denwa suru ne.I will call you tomorrow.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、待ってるよ。Un, matteru yo.Okay, I'll be waiting.
- 健太 Kenta何時に電話する？Nanji ni denwa suru?What time should I call?
- 結衣 Yui夜の八時にお願い。Yoru no hachiji ni onegai.Eight in the evening, please.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “call” translations and entries 電話をかける, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
