Chapter 3 The Telephone
3.01 Answering the Telephone
3.02 Asking for Someone
3.03 Starting a Conversation
3.04 Taking a Call for Someone Else
3.05 Leaving a Message
3.06 Using your Cell Phone
3.07 Buying a Phone
3.08 Asking for Directions
3.09 Calling in Sick
3.10 Making an Appointment
3.11 Changing an Appointment
3.12 Calling Directory Assistance
3.13 Phoning Emergency Services
3.14 Some Phone Numbers
3.15 Words and Expressions
Chapter3
The Telephone
Telephoning in any foreign language can be daunting, for without facial expressions and other clues it’s harder to understand what’s being said. People may speak faster than you’d like and service staff in particular may speak very polite Japanese, which can be hard to follow.
As with the language generally, there are set phrases for use on the phone, and you can start by learning and applying these. The most common, of course, is moshi-moshi (Hello). A wonderfully expressive phrase, moshi-moshi conjures up images of frustrated callers trying to get connected in the early days of the telephone. As well as using this when answering the phone, people also use it during a conversation just to make sure the other person is still there.
Many of the follow-up phrases introduced in the first chapter are used on the phone. Konaida wa dōmo (Thank you for the other day) is used very frequently even when there is nothing in particular that requires thanks. This and other expressions of gratitude, denial, and inquiry are usually mentioned before stating the reason for the call. Often these are spoken at breakneck speed until the caller arrives at Jitsu wa (Well, the reason I‘m calling is...). If you cannot match this speed, try to hold your own with other, albeit abbreviated, phrases such as iie, dōmo, and kochira koso.
The language used on the phone runs the gamut from very informal to highly stylized. You might hear someone answer the phone very politely then, realizing the caller is a friend, flip into informal speech. The difference is instant and extreme and, if you’re an observer, can be quite funny. In conversations where you feel you need to be polite, follow the usual rule: use the – masu form of the verbs. This should see you through most situations. If you want to be extra polite, you can use humble verbs about yourself. For instance, instead of saying kikimasu (I ask) you can say o-kiki shimasu. Likewise, o-denwa shimasu (I’m telephoning). To ask if someone is there you can use an honorific verb about that person, irasshaimasu ka ? There are guidelines and more examples in this chapter.
The Japanese cell phone (keitai) has developed its own culture and many young people seem to have phones stuck to their ears. Nonetheless, the use of cell phones is not allowed on public transportation and people abide by this rule. On long distance trains you can use your phone in the deck area; otherwise, switch your phone to vibrate or, as they say in Japanese, “manner mode.”
The more you speak Japanese on the telephone, the easier it will become. One day, when you find yourself bowing on the phone, you’ll know your Japanese is perfect!
3.01 Answering the Telephone
When you answer the phone, give either your name or the name of your company or department.
• Satō desu 佐藤です Sato speaking
• Eigyō desu 営業です Sales Department
If you can’t catch what people say, ask them to repeat or speak more slowly.
• Sumimasen. Mō ichido o-negai-shimasu.
すみません。もう一度、お願いします
I’m sorry. Please say that again.
• Sumimasen. Yukkuri hanashite kudasai.
すみません。ゆっくり話してください
I’m sorry. Please speak slowly.
When giving phone numbers in Japanese, zero is spoken as zero or rei, and the word no is used to separate the numbers. So this is how you would say the following number for Tokyo:
0 3 – 3 1 2 4 – 5 6 7 8
Rei san no, san ichi ni yon no, go roku nana hachi
Incidentally, the pound key 井 is pronounced shāpu and the star key * kome-jirushi, which means “sign for rice” since it looks like 米, the character for rice.
3.02 Asking for Someone
Choose your words according to the person with whom you are speaking. Michael calls his own office and asks for a Japanese colleague. He uses either the surname or, for those higher up in the organisation, name and job title.
• Moshi moshi, Tērā desu. Satō (Suzuki, Tanaka-buchō), o-negai shimasu.
もしもし、テーラ一です。佐藤（鈐木•田中部長）、お願い します。
Hello, this is Taylor. Can I speak to Sato (Suzuki, Manager Tanaka)?
When calling another organisation you could say:
• Shanhai daigaku no Rin desu. Yamada-kyōju o-negai shimasu.
上海大学の林です。山田教授お願いします。
My name is Lin and I’m from Shanghai University. Professor Yamada, please.
But the following, using a humble verb about yourself and an honorific verb about the professor, would be impeccable:
• Shanhai daigaku no Rin to mōshimasu ga. Yamada-kyōju, irasshaimasu ka?
上海大学の林ど申します力《、山田教授いらっしゃいます力、。
I’m called Lin and I’m from Shanghai University. Is Professor Yamada there?
On the other hand, if you want to speak to a member of your family, and you’re in a situation where you need to be polite, don’t forget to refer to him or her with the same humble terms you would use for yourself.
• Maikeru desu ga, kanai orimasu ka?
マイケルですが、家内おりますか。
This is Michael. Is my wife there?
3.03 Starting a Conversation
These phrases are often used at the start of a telephone conversation:
• Chotto o-kiki shitain’ desu ga.
ちょっとお聞きしたいんです力又
I have an inquiry.
• Tabi-tabi sumimasen.
たびたびすみません。
Sorry to keep phoning you.
• O-denwa itadaita sō desu ga.
お電話いただいたそうですが。
I had a message saying you’d called.
• Saki-hodo wa dōmo.
先ほどはどうも。
Thank you for just now. (Used when phoning people back with the answer, for example, to an inquiry.)
When calling someone’s home late at night, many people say:
• Yabun mōshi-wake arimasen.
夜分、申し訳ありません。
Excuse me for calling this late at night.
3.04 Taking a Call for Someone Else
When the call is for somebody else you can say:
• Hai, chotto matte kudasai. Satō-san, denwa haitte imasu.
はい、ちょっと待ってください。佐藤さん、電話入っています。
Please wait a moment. Ms Sato, there’s a call for you.
• Shitsurei desu ga, dochira-sama deshō ka?
失礼ですが、どちらさまでしょう力、。
Excuse me, but may I ask who is calling?
If the person can’t get to the phone, say one of the following:
• Sumimasen ga, rusu desu / dekakete orimasu.
すみません力\留守です/出かけております。
I’m sorry but she’s not here / she's gone out.
• Ima seki o hazushite imasu.
今、席をはずしています。
She’s not at her desk right now.
• Denwa-chū desu / Kaigi-chū desu / Raikyaku-chū desu / Jugyō-chū desu.
電話中です/会議中です/来客中です/授業中です。
She’s on another line / She’s in a meeting / She’s got a visitor / She’s in class.
3.05 Leaving a Message
If the person you want to speak with is not in, ask if you can leave a message.
• Denwa ga atta koto o o-tsutae kudasai. Mata o-denwa shimasu.
電話があったこどをお伝えください。また、お電話します。
Tell him I called. I'll call back later.
• Dengon, o-negai dekimasu ka?
伝言、お願いできますか。
Can I leave a message?
• O-tesuki no toki ni, orikaeshi o-denwa kudasai.
お手すきのどきに、折り返しお電話ください。
Please ask her to call as soon as she's free.
• Owarimashitara, watashi ni denwa o suru yō ni o-tsutae kudasai.
終わりましたら、私に電話をするようにお伝えください。
When he’s through, ask him to telephone me.
3.06 Using Your Cell Phone
Here are some phrases you might need when using your cell phone.
• Shitsurei shimasu. Chotto denwa ni demasu no de. Sumimasen.
失ネしします。ちょっと電話に出ますので。すみません。
Excuse me. Do you mind if I take this call? I’m very sorry.
• O-matase shimashita. Ima no denwa o matte ita mono desu kara. Kanai (byōin, kaisha, kaigai) kara deshita. Taihen shitsurei shimashita.
お待たせしました。今の電話を待って^ヽたものですから。家内 (病院•会社•海外）からでした。たいへん失礼しました。
Sorry to keep you waiting. I was expecting that call from my wife (hospital, company, overseas). I do apologize.
• Sumimasen. Dōshitemo denai to ikenai denwa ga ima hairimashita. Sugu kakenaoshimasu.
すみません。どうしても出ないどいけない電話が今入りま した。すぐ、掛けなおします。
I’m sorry. A call has just come in that I have to answer. I’ll call you right back.
• Amari nagaku hanashi wa dekinai! Batterii ga kiresō.
あまり長く話しはできない！バッテリーが切れそう。
I can’t talk long! My batteries are low (about to go dead).
• Moshi moshi, kikoemasu ka? Denpa no tōi tokoro ni iru no yo.
もしもし、聞こえます力、。電波の遠いどころにいるのよ。
Hello? Can you hear me? The reception here is poor.
• Denwa ga togirete, yoku kikoenain’ da kedo.
話が途切れて、よく聞こえないんだけど。
You’re breaking up. I can’t hear you very well.
As stated earlier, people don’t use phones on public transport. You’ll hear this message on trains and at the cinema, concerts, meetings etc.
• Keitai denwa no dengen o kiru ka manā mōdo ni kiri kaete kudasai.
携帯電話の電源を切るかマナーモードに切り替えてください。
Please switch off your mobile phone, or switch to vibrate (manner mode).
3.07 Buying a Phone
It’s hard to make sense of all the different contracts, but Lin knows what phone he wants and it seems to be a good deal.
LIN:
Sumimasen. Kono denwa wa ¥0 to natte imasu ga, donna shikumi desu ka.
すみません。この電話は¥0どなっています力\どんな仕組 みですか。
Excuse me. It says this phone is ¥0 but how is that worked out?
SHOP ASSISTANT:
Kishu daikin wa nijūyon-kai no bunkatsu-barai desu. Maitsuki no o-shiharai ni fukumarete imasu.
機種代金は24回の分割払いです。毎月のお支払いに含ま れています。
The payment for the handset is in 24 installments. It’s included in the monthly payments.
LIN:
Maitsuki, ikura haraeba ii desu ka.
毎月、いくら払えばいいです力、。
How much would I have to pay every month?
SHOP ASSISTANT:
Kono puran no baai, maitsuki no kihon shiyōryō wa 5,000 en, kishu daikin wa 1,920 en, soshite ninenkan no waribiki 1,920 en ga arimasu no de, maitsuki no o-shi ha rai wa 5,000 en desu. Ato, tsūwaryō ga arimasu.
このプランの場合、毎月の基本使用料は5,000円、機種 イ弋金は1，920円、そして2年間の割引1，920円がありま すので、毎月のお支払いは5,000円です。後、通話料があ ります。
In the case of this plan, the monthly charge for use of the phone is 5,000 yen, the payment for the handset is 1,920 yen, then there’s a discount of 1,920 for two years, so every month you pay 5,000 yen. Then there’s the cost of the calls.
LIN:
Tsūwaryō wa ikura desu ka?
通話料はいくらです力、。
How much do calls cost?
SHOP ASSISTANT:
Sanjūbyō ni nijūichi en desu.
30秒に21円です。
21 yen for 30 seconds.
LIN:
Kaigai de tsukaemasu ka?
海外で使えます力、。
Can I use it abroad?
SHOP ASSISTANT:
Kaigai de tsukaeba, kono kaigai teigaku puran o o-susu me shimasu.
海外で使えば、この海外定額プランをお勧めします。
If you use it abroad, I recommend this plan for an overseas fixed charge.
LIN:
Iroiro mite kita ga, kore ga ii rashii ne. Kore ni shimasu.
いろいろ見てきた力\これがいいらしいね。これにします。
I’ve seen various ones but this seems good. I’ll go for this one.
SHOP ASSISTANT:
Arigatō gozaimasu. O-mōshikomi no sai, gaikokujin tōroku shōmeisho to pasupōto ga hitsuyō desu ga.
ありがどうございます。お申し込みの際、外国人登録証明 書どパスポートが必要ですが。
Thank you. When you apply, you’ll need your alien registration certificate and your passport.
LIN:
Motte imasu yo. Tetsuzuki o shimashō.
持っていますよ。手続きをしましょう。
I’ve got them. Let’s do the paperwork.
3.08 Asking for Directions
Now that he’s got his phone, Lin goes to visit his friend Takuya but finds himself hopelessly lost and returns to the station. He calls his friend for help.
LIN:
Rin da. Okurete gomen. Michi ga wakaranakute.
林だ。遲れてごめん。道が分からなくて、
This is Lin. Sorry to be late but I can’t find the way.
TAKUYA:
Ima, doko?
今、どこ？
Where are you now?
LIN:
Eki no kaisatsuguchi ni modottan’ desu yo. Minamiguchi.
駅の改札口に灵ったんですよ。南口。
I’ve come back to the ticket barrier at the station. The South exit.
TAKUYA:
Ja ne, yakkyoku mieru? Yakkyoku no kado o hidari ni magatte, massugu ni kite. Tokyo Ginko no ura dakedo, mukae ni dete iku kara.
じやね、薬局、見える？薬局の角を左に曲がって、まっすぐ に来て。東京銀行の裏だけど、迎えに出ていくから。
Let me see, can you see a pharmacy? Turn left at the corner where the pharmacy is and then go straight. We’re behind the Tokyo Bank but I’ll come out and meet you.
LIN:
Wakatta. Ja ne.
分かった。じやね。
OK. See you soon.
3.09 Calling in Sick
Max calls his Japanese boss. Note that the boss uses informal men’s speech while Max maintains a more formal style.
BOSS:
Okada desu.
岡田です。
Okada speaking.
MAX:
Makkusu desu.
マックスです。
It’s Max.
BOSS:
Yā! Dō shita?
ヤー。どうした。
Hi! What’s the matter?
MAX:
Jitsu wa, atama ga itakute, kyō ichi-nichi yasumasete itadakitain’ desu ga.
実は、頭が痛くて、今日一日休ませていただきたいんです力\
Well, I’ve got a terrible headache, and I’d like to take the day off.
BOSS:
Sore wa komatta na. Kyō kimi no kawari ni naru hito ga inai no de, nantoka dete korarenai kana?
それは困ったな。今日、君の代わりになる人がいないの で、何どか出てこられないかな。
Oh, no. I’ve got no one to replace you today. Can’t you somehow make it in?
MAX:
Atama ga gangan shite, muri desu ne.
頭ががんがんして、無理ですね。
My head really hurts. It’s out of the question.
BOSS:
Sō ka. Ja, shikata nai ne. Muri shinai hō ga ii yo. O-daiji ni.
そう力、。じや、仕方ないね。無理しない方がいいよ。お大事に。
I see. Well, it can’t be helped. You’d better not overdo it. Take care of yourself.
MAX:
Mōshi-wake arimasen. Shitsurei shimasu.
申し訳ありません。失礼します。
I'm really sorry. Goodbye.
3.10 Making an Appointment
The language used in business can be very formal. In this dialogue Michael makes an appointment with a client.
MICHAEL:
Moshi-moshi. Takahashi-buchō de irasshaimasu ka?
もしもし、高橋部長でいらっしゃいますか。
Hello? Is that Mr. Takahashi? (lit. Division Manager Takahashi)
TAKAHASHI:
Hai, sō desu.
はいそうです。
Yes, speaking.
MICHAEL:
Ecoshisutemu no Tērā de gozaimasu. Ohayō gozaimasu.
ェコシステムのテーラ一でございます。お早うございます。
This is Taylor of EcoSystems. Good morning.
TAKAHASHI:
Ohayō gozaimasu. Itsumo o-sewa ni natte orimasu.
お早うございます。いつもお世話になっております。
Good morning. We’re very much obliged to you.
MICHAEL:
Kochira koso. Jitsu wa, buchō no go-tsugō o kikimashite, aite iru jikan ni demo o-ukagai dekitara to omoimashite.
こちらこそ。実は、部長のご都合を聞きまして、空いている 時間にでもお伺いできたらど思いまして、
On the contrary (we are obliged to you). Well, I’m calling because I’d like to come and see you and I wonder when would be convenient.
TAKAHASHI:
A sō desu ka? Go-yōken wa nan’ desu ka?
ア、そうですか。ご用件は何ですか。
I see. What’s it about?
MICHAEL:
Hai. Watakushi-domo no atarashii shōene shōhin no koto o go-setsumei ni agaritai no desu ga.
はい、私どもの新しい省エネ商品のこどをご説明に上がり たいのですが、
I d like to come and tell you about our new energy saving product.
TAKAHASHI:
Kekkō desu yo. Itsugoro ga yoroshii desu ka?
結構ですよ。いつごろがよろしいですか。
All right. When would be convenient?
MICHAEL:
Sō desu ne. Dochira ka to iu to, ashita ka asatte, hayai hō ga iin’ desu ga.
そうですね。どちらかどいうど、明日かあさって、早い方が いいんですが、
Let me see. I would prefer tomorrow or the day after; the sooner the better.
TAKAHASHI:
Ē-to, sō shimasu to, ashita no gogo nara orimasu.
え一ど、そうしますど、明日の午後ならおります。
Let’s see. I’ll be here tomorrow afternoon.
MICHAEL:
Sore-dewa, ashita ni-ji goro ukagatte mo yoroshii deshō ka?
それでは、明日ニ時ごろ伺ってもよろしいでしよう力、。
Then may I come around two o’clock tomorrow?
TAKAHASHI:
Kekkō desu. Ashita no gogo, ni-ji, o-machi shite orimasu.
結構です。明曰の午後ニ時、お待ちしております。
That’s fine. I’ll be waiting for you at two tomorrow afternoon.
MICHAEL:
Arigatō gozaimasu. Sore de wa, o-ukagai itashimasu. Yoroshiku o-negai shimasu. Shitsurei shimasu.
ありがどうございます。それでは、お伺いいたします。よろし くお願いいたします。失礼いたします。
Thank you. Well then, I’ll visit you. I look forward to seeing you. Goodbye.
3.11 Changing an Appointment
Having managed so well to get this appointment, Michael now finds he has to reschedule it.
MICHAEL:
Tērā desu ga, sakihodo wa dōmo arigatō gozaimashita. Jitsu wa, o-yakusoku itadaita no desu ga, ashita kyū na yōken de Ōsaka e iku koto ni narimashite, hontō ni mō shi-wake arimasen ga, asatte ni nobashite itadakenai deshō ka?
テーラーですが、先ほどはどうもありがどうございました。 実は、お約朿いただいたのですが、明日急な用件で大阪へ 行くこどになりまして、本当に申し訳ありませんが、あさって に延ばしていただけないでしょうか。
This is Taylor again. It’s about our appointment. It turns out that I have to go to Osaka tomorrow on urgent business. Would it be possible to postpone the appointment until the day after tomorrow?
3.12 Calling Directory Assistance
Dial 104 for directory assistance. There’s a small fee but it’s a useful service.
OPERATOR:
Bangō annai desu.
番号案内です。
Directory assistance.
KIM:
Moshi moshi. Kankoku Kōkū wa nanban deshō ka?
もしもし。韓国航空は何番でしょうか。
Hello. What number is Korean Airways?
OPERATOR:
Hai. O-machi kudasaimase. Yoyaku de yoroshii deshō ka?
はい、お待ちくださいませ。予約でよろしいでしよう力、。
One moment please. Do you want reservations?
KIM:
Hai, yoyaku, o-negai shimasu.
はい、予約お願いします。
Yes, reservations please.
OPERATOR:
De wa, go-annai itashimasu. * * * O-matase itashimashita. Sono kata wa rei-san no, san-hachi-ichi-ichi no, nana-ichi-reiroku desu. Arigatō gozaimashita.
では、ご案内いたします。氺氺氺お待たせいたしました。 その方は03-3811-7106です。ありがどうございました。
Here is the information, (recording) Sorry to have kept you waiting. The number is 03-3811-7106. Thank you.
3.13 Phoning Emergency Services
To telephone the police, dial 110. This emergency number is known as hyaku tōban. For fires and situations requiring an ambulance, dial 119. (Note that if you want to be treated by a particular hospital, you might be better telephoning that hospital for an ambulance or finding your own way there.) In this conversation, Lin has just dialed 119 to call an ambulance for his friend who has suddenly collapsed.
FIRE/AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Kyūkyūtai desu.
救急隊です。
Emergency.
LIN:
Kyūkyūsha, o-negai shimasu.
救急車、お願いします。
I need an ambulance.
FIRE/AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Hai. Dō shimashita ka?
はい。どうしました力、。
OK. What’s happened?
LIN:
Tomodachi ga taorete, ishiki-fumei desu!
友連が倒れて、意識不明です。
My friend’s lying unconscious!
FIRE/AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Ochitsuite, o-namae to jūsho o dōzo.
落ち着いて、お名前ど住所をどうぞ。
Keep calm and give me your name and address.
LIN:
Rin desu. Tomodachi no jūsho wa Nishi-machi ni no yon no san, Famiri Kōpo desu.
林です。友達の住所は西町２―４―３、ファミリコーポです。
My name’s Lin. My friend’s address is Family Co-op, Nishi machi 2 – 4 – 3.
FIRE/AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Mejirushi ni naru yō na mono o itte kudasai.
目印になるようなものを言ってください。
Please tell me if there are any landmarks.
LIN:
Tokyo Ginkō no ura desu.
東京銀行の裏です。
It’s behind the Tokyo Bank.
FIRE/AMBULANCE SERVICE:
Hai. Sugu ikimasu.
はい、すぐ行きます。
We’ll be right there.
Here are a few more phrases for emergencies. The first concerns the fire department, the next two, the police.
• Ie ga kaji desu. Sugu kite kudasai.
家が家事です。すぐ来てください。
The house is on fire. Come immediately.
• Fushin na hito ga ie no mae de uro-uro shite imasu.
不審な人が家の前でうろうろしています。
There’s a suspicious person loitering in front of our house.
• Tonari de bōryoku o furutte’ru mitai desu.
隣で暴力をふるってるみたいです。
There seems to be a fight going on next door.
3.14 Some Phone Numbers
| 104 | Directory enquiries |
| 106 | Collect calls |
| 113 | Telephone repairs |
| 110 | Police (hyaku tōban) |
| 119 | Fire/ambulance service (hyaku jūkyūban) |
| 177 | Weather (or area code + 177) |
| 117 | Time |
| 171 | Message recording service for use in disasters |
| (03) 5774-0992 | Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) |
3.15 Words and Expressions
|
keitai |
携帯 |
cell phone |
|
denwa suru, denwa o kakeru |
電話する、 電話を掛ける |
to telephone |
|
rusuden o saisei suru |
留守伝を再生する |
play back recorded messages |
|
mēru |
メール |
messages |
|
manā mōdo |
マナーモード |
sound off, vibrate (manner mode) |
|
denwachō |
電話帳 |
address book, contacts (cell phone) telephone directory |
|
denwa o kiru |
電話を切る |
to hang up |
|
denwa ga kireta |
電話が切れた |
The line has gone dead |
|
denwa ga tōi |
電話が遠い |
I can’t hear you very well (We have a bad connection). |
|
jūden suru |
充電する |
to charge (battery) |
|
denwa bangō |
電話番号 |
telephone number |
|
kōshū denwa |
公衆電話 |
public telephone |
|
kyokuban |
局番 |
area code |
|
kokusai denwa |
国際電話 |
international call |
|
machigai denwa |
間違い電話 |
wrong number |
|
itazura denwa, meiwaku denwa |
いたずら電話• 迷惑電話 |
obscene/prank telephone call |
|
dekome |
デコメ |
“decorated mail,” animated decorations for keitai messages and blogs |
