電話する
denwa suru
To call in Japanese is 電話する (denwa suru).
The phrase is used to describe communicating with someone by using a telephone.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is a combination of 電話 (denwa), meaning 'telephone' and する (suru), meaning 'to do'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In formal situations, you can add the honorific prefix お (o) to create お電話をする (o-denwa o suru), which emphasizes respect. Using お電話する (o-denwa suru) also makes the phrase more polite and humble when you are speaking to customers or superiors.
How do you pronounce it?
denwa suru
Did you know?
- The word 電話 (denwa) literally means 'electric speech'. It is composed of the characters for 'electricity' and 'talk'.
- When ending a call, it is common to say 失礼します (shitsurei shimasu), which literally means 'I am being rude'. This is a polite way to signal that you are hanging up on the other person.
- In Japanese culture, it is common to apologize for 'disturbing' someone by calling. A person might start a call with お忙しいところすみません (o-isogashii tokoro sumimasen), meaning 'sorry to bother you while you are busy'.
Examples in context
- 毎日電話するよ。I'm going to call you every day.This sentence uses 電話する to express a daily habit.Tatoeba #8645486 by bunbuku, translation #7120702 by CK
- 電話するの忘れてた。I forgot to call you.This sentence uses 電話する to express a forgotten action.Tatoeba #11605257 by small_snow, translation #3918999 by CK
- 彼に電話するのを忘れた。I forgot to call him.This sentence uses 電話する to express forgetting to call a specific person.Tatoeba #118515 by small_snow, translation #3919001 by CH
- 田中さんに電話をするつもりです。I plan to call Mr. Tanaka.
- 社長をお呼びになってください。Please call for the company president.
- 21 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is asking Ren if she can call him later.
- 結衣 Yuiあとで蓮君に電話するね。Ato de Ren-kun ni denwa suru ne.I'll call you later, Ren.
- 蓮 Renうん、待ってるよ。Un, matteru yo.Yeah, I'll be waiting.
- 結衣 Yuiじゃあ、また後でね。Jaa, mata ato de ne.Well, see you later.
- 蓮 Renまたね。Mata ne.Bye.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
