Learning how to say phone numbers in Japanese can be useful, especially if you plan on making calls or communicating with Japanese speakers. In this guide, we’ll cover formal and informal ways to say phone numbers, providing tips and examples along the way. While we primarily focus on standard Japanese usage, we’ll also touch upon regional variations if necessary. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Formal Phone Numbers
In formal situations, such as making business calls or speaking with strangers, it’s important to use polite language. Here’s a breakdown of how to say phone numbers formally:
1. Delivering Digits:
When delivering phone numbers, it is common to say each digit separately:
Example: If your phone number is 090-1234-5678, you would say: “Zero-kyū-zero, ichi-ni-san-yon, go-roku-nana-hachi.”
2. Grouping Digits:
In certain situations, it’s common to group digits together for ease of understanding:
Example: The previous phone number, when grouped, could be said as “Zero-kyū-zero, jū-san-yon, go-roku-nana-hachi.”
3. Special Phrases:
When stating phone numbers, it is common to use the phrase “denwa bangō” (電話番号) which means “phone number” in formal Japanese:
Example: “Watashi no denwa bangō wa 080-9876-5432 desu” means “My phone number is 080-9876-5432.”
Informal Phone Numbers
In casual situations or when speaking with friends and family, you can use a more relaxed form of language. Here’s how to say phone numbers informally:
1. Delivering Digits:
When delivering phone numbers informally, you can use a more natural flow by dropping the “zero” at the beginning of each digit:
Example: If your phone number is 090-1234-5678, you would say: “Kyū-maru, ichi-ni-san-yon, roku-nana-hachi.”
2. Grouping Digits:
Grouping digits is less common in informal situations, but you can still use this method if it feels more convenient:
Example: The previous phone number, when grouped, could be said as “Kyū-maru, jū-san-yon, roku-nana-hachi.”
3. Omitting Phrases:
In casual contexts, it’s common to drop the “denwa bangō” phrase and directly state your number:
Example: “Boku no bangō wa 080-9876-5432 da” means “My number is 080-9876-5432.”
Regional Variations
While Japanese phone number conventions are fairly standardized across the country, there are minor regional variations:
1. Kansai Dialect:
In the Kansai region, people often replace the suffix “-rei” (zero) with “-ro” when saying phone numbers:
Example: Instead of saying “080-rei-1234,” people in Kansai would say “080-ro-1234.”
2. Lengthier Phrases:
In some local dialects, people may use longer phrases to indicate phone numbers:
Example: In specific regions, you might hear “Watashi no keitai no bango wa 080-9876-5432 desu” rather than the shorter “Watashi no denwa bangō wa 080-9876-5432 desu.”
Remember, these regional variations are not as widespread and may not be encountered in everyday conversations.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve learned how to say phone numbers in Japanese. In formal situations, remember to deliver and group digits clearly, using the phrase “denwa bangō.” For informal conversations, feel free to drop the leading “zero” and skip the formal phrase. While there are regional variations like the Kansai dialect or lengthier phrases, they are not commonly used across Japan. Keep practicing these phrases and soon you’ll be confidently exchanging phone numbers in Japanese. 頑張って!
