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Talking over the telephone can be quite a challenge when using a second language because you cannot see facial expressions. Here are some useful Japanese phrases to get you started. Give a Japanese friend a jingle and try them out.
“Moshi moshi” = Hello (Used only for starting a conversation by phone – both when calling and answering the phone. [If you say “mushi mushi,” it means bug, bug. So, be sure to pronounce it correctly].)
“Sato san wa imasuka?” = Is Ms./Mr. Sato there?
“Hai, watashi desu” = Yes, this is she/he. (Literally, “yes, I am.”)
“Omachi kudasai” = Please hold.
“Sumimasen, Nihongo ga wakarimasen” = I’m sorry, I don’t understand Japanese.
“Sumimasen, machigae mashita” = I’m sorry, I have the wrong number.
“Mata denwa shimasu” = I will call back later.
“Denpa ga arimasen” = I am losing the signal. (When talking on a cell phone.)
“Denwa” = Telephone
“Keitai denwa” or “keitai” = Cell phone or cell
Pronunciation key: “A” is short (like “ah”); “E” is short (like “get”); “I” is short (like “it”); “O” is long (like “old”); “U” is long (like “tube”); and “AI” is a long “I” (like “hike”). Most words are pronounced with equal emphasis on each syllable, but “OU” is a long “O” with emphasis on that syllable.
