Japanese dictionary
How to say "phone" in Japanese
電話でんわ · denwa
"Phone" in Japanese is 電話 (denwa). A smartphone is スマホ (sumaho), and a cell phone in general is 携帯 (keitai).
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Ways to say "phone" in Japanese
| Japanese | When to use it |
|---|---|
| 電話でんわ · denwa | Phone; phone call. |
| 携帯けいたい · keitai | Cell phone. |
| スマホすまほ · sumaho | Smartphone. |
| 電話するでんわする · denwa suru | To call; to phone. |
How to use it
"Answer the phone" is 電話に出る (denwa ni deru).
On the phone, Japanese people say もしもし (moshi moshi), but in business they say the company name instead.
Example sentences
- 後で電話します。Ato de denwa shimasu.I'll call you later.
- 電話番号を教えてください。Denwa bangō o oshiete kudasai.Please give me your phone number.
- スマホを家に忘れました。Sumaho o ie ni wasuremashita.I left my phone at home.
- もしもし、田中さんですか。Moshi moshi, Tanaka-san desu ka.Hello, is this Mr. Tanaka?
- 今、電話に出られません。Ima, denwa ni deraremasen.I can't answer the phone right now.
- 電車の中では電話を控えてください。Densha no naka de wa denwa o hikaete kudasai.Please refrain from phone calls on the train.
Kanji in this word
Questions
Can you talk on the phone on Japanese trains?
It's considered rude. Announcements ask passengers to set phones to silent mode, マナーモード, and avoid calls.
What do you say when answering the phone in Japanese?
Casually, もしもし (moshi moshi). At work, say はい、〇〇社です with your company name.
Using Japanese at work?
See Executive JapaneseExecutive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.