Moshi-moshi is the standard way to answer the phone in Japanese, distinct from everyday greetings. Over the years, it has evolved from its original form and has an interesting history stemming from the introduction of the telephone. It conveys something like “I have something to say” and is used with the purpose of affirming connection and beginning the conversation.
It is neither a way to say hello in person nor a substitute for polite greetings over a phone call. So, let’s find out everything you need to know about the iconic Japanese phrase, moshi moshi, from what it means and when you should use it!
What is Moshi Moshi?
You’ve likely heard moshi moshi before — in anime shows, TV series, and documentaries. It’s a basic expression used by Japanese people when they pick up the phone. The word moshi is derived from the verb “to say” in humble Japanese: (申す).
Remember that moshi moshi is primarily a casual expression, and you should use it with your friends and family. The common follow-up is, “Yes, this is (your name)”
はい、マイクです。
hai, maiku desu.
Yes, this is Mike.
Origin and Etymology
When the telephone was introduced in 1890’s Japan, the public lines were manually operated by staff. To test if the unreliable lines successfully connected callers, the short phrase mosu-mosu caught on. A catchy repetition of the verb 申す, the word for “to speak/say”; it was a polite way of asking for confirmation of connection.
Soon thereafter, moshi-moshi became the cultural norm, similarly derived from 申します, a slightly more polite form of 申す. Nowadays, the phrase you will hear all around you while in Japan has evolved to the ever so slightly shorter moshi-mosh, dropping the last “i”.
Alternatively, there is urban folklore that offers a different theory to the widespread adoption of moshi-moshi. It is believed by superstitious Japanese that evil spirits such as ghosts and malicious foxes, which are commonplace in folklore, can not consecutively repeat 申す or もし. This way, if the caller starts the conversation with もしもし, they are safe to continue if it is repeated back.
When to Use Moshi-Moshi
Moshi-moshi is a distinct aspect of Japanese phone etiquette. It is only used for the purpose of beginning a conversation over the phone. Using it in face-to-face communication can actually be considered quite rude, possibly interpreted as “can you not hear/understand me?”
For phone calls, もしもし is a standard, given phrase, meaning that following with a greeting is still recommended for politeness. An example of what a casual phone call may sound like:
受信者: はい？
Jushinsha: hai?
Recipient: Yes?
発信者: もしもし、今ちょっと大丈夫？
Hasshinsha: Moshi moshi, ima chotto daijoubu?
Caller: Hello, do you have a bit of time to talk?
The caller asks the recipient if now is a good time after their もしもし response, instead of jumping straight into conversation. Note that the recipient responds with “はい？”, not moshi-moshi, since they are not the one with something to say.
When Not to Use Moshi-Moshi
Since the Japanese language places such an emphasis on formality, there are different procedures when it comes to business calls. In these situations, it is not appropriate to use moshi-moshi. Phone calls with clients and bosses should replace もしもし with はい. If you are speaking in a setting that requires 敬語 (keigo), or formal business speech, never use もしもし. This also applies to answering calls from unknown numbers.
1. When Answering Calls from Unknown Numbers
When you get a call from a number you don’t recognize, you usually answer using polite Japanese. Here is an example of a common way to answer calls from unknown numbers:
受信者（あなた）：はい、ブライアンです。
Jushinsha (anata): Hai, buraian desu.
Recipient (you): Hello, this is Brian.
発信者（不明）：お忙しいところすみません。○○会社の田中と申します。
Hasshinsha (Fumei): Oisogashii tokoro sumimasen. OO gaisha no tanaka to moushimasu.
Caller (unknown): Excuse me for calling at a busy time. I am Tanaka from OO company.
The recipient introduces himself with a polite, formal はい, to be safe since he is answering an unfamiliar number. The caller responds with the polite softening phrase Sorry to bother you while you’re busy; this is Tanaka from MaruMaru Company speaking.
2. When Answering Calls at Work
Answering work calls, unsurprisingly, requires respectful language that conveys your professionalism and enthusiasm. Here is a common way to answer the phone in a work context:
受信者：はい、Coto Academyのブライアンでございます。
Jushinsha: Hai, Coto Academy no buraian de gozaimasu.
Recipient (you): Hello. This is Brian from Coto Academy.
発信者（クライアント）：もしもし、予約したいのですが。
hasshinsha (Kuraianto): Moshi moshi, yoyaku shitai no desuga.
Caller (client): Hello, I would to make a reservation.
As a representative of the company in this situation, it’s standard to answer the phone using the polite honorific form: でございます (de gozaimasu).
On the other hand, if you are the one calling a client or boss, here is how you should proceed:
受信者（クライアント）：はい、山田です。どちら様ですか？
Jushinsha (kuraianto): Hai, yamada desu. dochira sama desuka?
Recipient (client): This is Yamada. Who am I speaking to?
発信者（あなた）：いつもお世話になっております。Coto Academyのブライアンと申します。
Hasshinsha (Anata): Itsumo osewa ni natte orimasu. Coto Academy no buraian to moushimasu.
Caller (you): Thank you for your constant support. This is Brian from Coto Academy.
The client in the case says Hi, I am Yamada. Who is calling? Your response is a very polite greeting which roughly translates to “Thank you for your continued support; this is Brian from Coto Academy speaking.”
3. When Responding to Someone in Person
In person, you would never use moshi moshi to respond or get someone’s attention; you can simply use すみません (sumimasen):
あなた: すみません、ICOCAを落としてしまいました。
Anata: Sumimasen, ICOCA o otoshite shimaimashita.
You: Excuse me, you dropped your ICOCA card.
見知らぬ人：ありがとう！
Mishiranu hito: arigatou!
Stranger: Thank you!
In this case, you want to say hey to get a stranger’s attention because they dropped their transit card. You would use すみません.
How Moshi-Moshi Differs From Other Greetings
As previously stated, もしもし is only used as a greeting while speaking over the phone. In person, it can have other meanings, such as “I can’t hear you”, but is never used as a greeting. If you want to greet someone in person, there are many options. For example, おはよう(ございます) in the morning, こんにちは throughout the day, and こんばんは at nighttime. If you want to use もしもし so badly, just call your friend.
Iconic Uses of Moshi-Moshi in Pop Culture
For video game lovers, Kazuma Kiryu from Yakuza 0 turns the phrase into a franchise-worthy phenomenon. His dramatic quick-gun-draw style of grabbing the phone followed by a calm “もしもし？” became a hallmark moment for the series.
For anime lovers, there are a few standout examples. From One Piece, the DenDen Mushi is a beloved character who takes the form of a purple snail with a telephone for a shell. When he rings, characters pick up and answer with “もしもし？” One of the main characters of Demon Slayer, Shinobu Kocho, uses it in an unconventional face-to-face context, giving her a uniquely unnerving personality.
Back in reality, Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival is a cultural exposition based out of Harajuku in Tokyo. Promoting fashion, anime, and music, they are ambassadors of Japanese pop culture to the world.
Conclusion
Now that you understand the ins and outs of the famous phrase moshi-moshi, get ready to use it as often as appropriate. It’s fun to say, but remember only to use it in the right contexts (avoid using it on business calls). Japanese is full of convenient expressions that convey a lot in just a few words, and もしもし is one of them!
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FAQ
Is moshi-moshi rude in business calls?
Yes, because it violates proper business etiquette, refrain from ever using moshi-moshi in business calls.
Can you use moshi-moshi in person?
No, it is exclusively a telephone greeting. It can be used sarcastically with friends who aren’t paying attention, just like “hello, anyone in there?” is used in English.
What does moshi-moshi literally mean?
It originates from 申す (mousu), the humble form of the verb “to say”. It has evolved from there over the years.
Do Japanese people still say moshi-moshi?
Absolutely, all the time, it is the cultural standard for phone etiquette. However, it is only used with friends and family. It tends to be shortened to moshi-mosh nowadays.
