The word “moshi moshi” is used when making a phone call.

Even though it is not a word that is used in everyday conversation, I think that there are times when you end up saying “hello” on the phone.

However, this “Hello” is rarely heard in business phone calls.

The word “moshi moshi” is considered rude and inappropriate in business settings .

We will introduce the basics of how to respond to phone calls, such as why you shouldn’t use “hello”, phrases that can be used instead of “hello”, and things to keep in mind when responding to phone calls.

Is “moshi moshi” a violation of business etiquette?

Even if you are told that the clichéd phrase “hello” on the phone is NG in business, there are probably many people who do not understand it.

First of all, what does “moshi moshi” mean and how did it come to be used as a greeting on the phone?

Let’s explore the meaning of “hello”, the origin of the word, and why it’s considered rude in business.

Situations where “Moshi Moshi” is used

“Moshimoshi” is a very useful word. There are scenes where you use “moshi moshi” many times on the phone.

“Moshi moshi” is a useful word that can have various meanings depending on the situation and intonation.

• When making/receiving a call
• When the other party’s voice cannot be heard
• when calling out to others

Origin of “Moshi Moshi”

There may be surprisingly few people who know the meaning and etymology of “moshi moshi”.

There are various theories about the origin of “moshi moshi”, but it is believed that “moshi” comes from “I’m sorry”.

There is a strong theory that the words “I’m sorry, I’m sorry” used by telephone operators were shortened to “Moshi moshi”.

Why You Should Avoid “Hello” in Business

“Saru” is a humble word for “say”, so at first glance there seems to be no problem with using it for superiors.

However, the business etiquette saying “moshi moshi wa rude” is abbreviated from “moshimasu” to “moshi”. It is possible.

Saying “Hello” on a private phone call isn’t a problem, and an inadvertent “Hello” on a work phone is unlikely to lead to a big problem.

However, keep in mind that some people may find it offensive in business situations .

Phrases and example sentences that can be used instead of “moshi moshi”

If you can’t use “moshi moshi” when answering the phone, you may be at a loss as to what to say in such a situation.

Learn phrases you can use instead of “hello” in business.

when you receive a call

When you pick up an incoming call, you may answer “Yes, hello, it’s ____.”

• “Yes, it’s 〇〇 Co., Ltd.”
• “Thank you for calling me.

Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cases where even when answering a private phone call, simply say “Yes, I’m ______” and not say “Hello”.

Also, as a countermeasure against nuisance calls, I often answer calls from numbers I do not know by saying “yes” without giving my name.

When answering phone calls in the office, it is good manners for the person receiving the call to give their company name or name first so that they can tell where the call is .

In addition, since the person on the other end of the phone call is often a business partner or customer, I sometimes add “thank you for calling” as the first thing to say.

If your company has rules about how to answer the phone or phrases for greetings, check the manual.

when you call

I think that the person who makes a phone call may start with “Hello, my name is ○○, but…”.

In business, use “thank you for your help” instead of the first “hello”.

• “Thank you for your help. I’m △△ from the Sales Department of △△ Co., Ltd.”

This is also a fixed phrase for writing emails, so I think many people are familiar with it.

In the business scene, this phrase is used regardless of whether or not you have actually been indebted to the other person, so there is no problem saying “Thank you for your help” to people you do not know.

When you can’t hear the other party’s voice or when the call seems to hang up

When you pick up an incoming call and there is no sound, or when you suddenly cannot hear the other party’s voice during the call, you can ask yourself, “Is the phone connected?” Hello?” is rephrased in business.

• “How have you been?”
• “Customer, can you hear me?”

If you encounter such a situation in business, instead of repeatedly calling out “hello”, call out to the other party with “customer?” take action.

NG words for telephone correspondence

There are many words that are often used in normal conversation that are not acceptable in business phone calls.

In addition, it often happens that we use excessive expressions or use the wrong honorifics because we think that we should use polite language when answering the phone.

In addition to “hello”, there are expressions that are not acceptable on the phone.

Here, we will introduce NG words and paraphrasing, so please refer to the correspondence.

can i have your name

A phrase that tends to be used when asking someone’s name on the phone.

The expression “to receive a name” means “to be given a name”, so this usage is NG .

When asking for a person’s name, use “inquiry”.

Also , asking for the other person’s permission with ” Is it okay if I do?” rather than “Can I do it?” will be more polite.

• “May I ask your name?”

I see

The word “I see” used in conversations with close friends is not honorific and gives the impression of being looked down upon, so it is better to avoid it with superiors and customers .

When answering the phone, use phrases such as the following to express agreement and understanding.

• “Goodbye”
• “You’re right.”

Understood, Understood

Although both “understood” and “understood” are polite ways of saying, “understand” and “understand” are not humble words, so some people feel that they are rude.

When answering the phone, use the humble language “Kashikomarishita” or the humble language “accept” of “listen” .

• “I got it”
• “I agree.”
• “Understood.”

I don’t know/I can’t

If you don’t understand or can’t respond to a question, saying “I don’t know” or “I can’t do it” gives the impression of being blunt.

In such a case, use “kaneru” which means “it is difficult to do” .

Also, the word “can’t” has a somewhat harsh impression, so when you want to softly decline, we recommend using “I can’t do it”.

• “Sorry, I don’t understand.”
• “We are unable to accommodate any changes.”
• “I appreciate your offer, but I cannot accept it.”

I will call you back

The expression “turning the phone” is NG because it is associated with “turning the tub” .

Use the word “connect” when transferring a call to another person in charge or forwarding an extension .

• “I will connect you to the department in charge, so please wait a moment.”

Basic posture for business calls

When answering the phone, you may get tired of having to remember detailed business etiquette and phrases.

Of course, it is important to use the correct honorifics, but if you are too afraid of making mistakes or breaking manners, you will start to feel that you are not good at answering the phone.

When answering the phone, the top priority is to communicate in a pleasant manner and build a good relationship with the other party, rather than detailed manners and honorifics.

Let’s review the basic attitude required for business phone calls.

don’t wait

Even if the time spent waiting on a call or on hold is actually just a few tens of seconds, it feels like many times longer to the person being waited on.

Pick up the phone as soon as possible.

Also, if the hold exceeds 30 seconds, it feels “long”.

If the hold is likely to be long, it is better to hang up and return the call so that you can calmly investigate and consult.

speak clearly in a bright voice

When you pick up the phone, your voice becomes muffled, making it difficult to hear low-pitched voices.

Try to speak clearly on the phone in a slightly brighter and higher tone than usual .

Also, I tend to speak quickly when answering the phone. Speak slowly so that the other person can easily hear you .

Don’t forget to take notes and repeat

A notepad and writing utensils are essentials for answering the phone.

As soon as you hear important things such as the company name, department name, name, and business of the other party, take notes and repeat them to confirm .

At first, it may be difficult to memorize the words in one go or to hear them perfectly, but you can definitely get used to them by making a habit of “writing” and “reciting”.

“Canario” for unfailing phone calls

When answering phone calls at a company, it takes a lot of time to learn business etiquette, the company’s own rules, and the duties of each member.

If you are worried about telephone correspondence education, NEC Networks & System Integration’s call forwarding service “Canario” is recommended.

AI will receive calls on behalf of your staff, transfer them to the person in charge, and take messages.

There is no need for manual creation or training, and it can be introduced immediately with simple settings.

Article Summary

• “Hello” is NG for business calls
• Use humble language for business partners and customers when answering the phone
• Don’t wait ・Speak clearly in a voice that is easy to hear

Be careful with words like “hello” and “understanding” that are often used in private but are not suitable for business calls.

Let’s learn how to say for answering the phone and handle the phone smartly.