電話していいよ
denwa shite ii yo
The English phrase "you can call me" is translated into Japanese as 電話していいよ (denwa shite ii yo).
This phrase is used to give someone permission to contact you by telephone.
Which one should you use?
While 電話していいよ is used to grant permission ("you can call me"), the shorter form 電話して is used as a casual way to make a request ("please call me").
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
電話していいよ is an informal expression. You should use it with friends, family or people of equal or lower social status. When addressing others, remember that using the suffix -san with a surname shows respect and politeness.
How do you pronounce it?
denwa shite ii yo
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific word 電話恐怖症 (denwa kyōfushō) for 'telephone phobia', a common anxiety about making or receiving calls that makes the phrase 電話していいよ a significant gesture of openness.
- The word 電話 (denwa) is composed of the characters for 'electricity' and 'talk', reflecting the era when the technology was first introduced to Japan.
- While English speakers often use 'call' to mean a phone call, a Japanese speaker might use the verb かける (to hang/to hang on) to describe the act of dialing or making the call.
Examples in context
- いつでも電話していいよ。You can call me anytime you like.This sentence is useful for showing how to express that someone can call you at any time using 電話していいよ.Tatoeba #539549 by tomkun01, translation #539547 by tomkun01
- 困ったときは、電話していいよ。Komatta toki wa, denwa shite ii yo.If you are in trouble, you can call me.
- 夜でも、電話していいよ。Yoru demo, denwa shite ii yo.Even at night, you can call me.
Example conversation
Haruto is telling Misaki that she can contact him if she needs help.
- 大翔 Hiroto何かあったら、電話していいよ。Nanika attara, denwa shite ii yo.If something happens, you can call me.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？ありがとう、大翔くん。Honto? Arigatou, Haruto-kun.Really? Thank you, Haruto.
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、遠慮しないでね。Un, enryo shinai de ne.Yeah, don't hesitate.
- 美咲 Misaki助かるよ、嬉しい！Tasukaru yo, ureshii!That helps a lot, I'm happy!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
