もしもし
moshi moshineutral, phone
When answering the phone in Japanese, say もしもし (moshi moshi). It is used on the phone only and never in face-to-face greetings. It is also called はい (hai) and はい、田中でございます (hai, Tanaka de gozaimasu).
Meaning: greeting on the phone (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| もしもし | moshi moshi | neutral, phone |
| はい | hai | polite, phone |
| はい、田中でございます | hai, Tanaka de gozaimasu | very polite, phone |
In business, people often start with はい (hai) and then give a name or company, as in はい、田中でございます (hai, Tanaka de gozaimasu), "this is Tanaka".
Which one should you use?
もしもし (moshi moshi) is also used by the caller to check that the line is working, so both sides say it.
Did you know?
- もしもし (moshi moshi) is thought to come from 申し申し (mōshi mōshi), "I say, I say".
Examples in context
- もしもし、ユウです。Moshi moshi, Yū desu.Hello, this is Yu.
- はい、山田商事でございます。Hai, Yamada Shōji de gozaimasu.Hello, Yamada Trading.
Example conversation
Yu calls his friend Mika.
- Mikaもしもし。Moshi moshi.Hello.
- Yuもしもし、ユウだけど。Moshi moshi, Yū dakedo.Hello, it is Yu.
- Mikaあ、ユウ。どうしたの？A, Yū. Dō shita no?Oh, Yu. What is up?
