Moshi Moshi: Why Japanese People Say It on the Phone

Japanese phone calls in films often begin with もしもし — moshi moshi. It is commonly translated as “hello,” but it is not the greeting you use when meeting someone face to face.

The short answer

Use moshi moshi to open a personal phone call, answer when the connection seems uncertain, or check whether the other person can hear you.

もしもし、田中さんですか。 Moshi moshi, Tanaka-san desu ka. “Hello, is this Tanaka?”

It is friendly and ordinary in private calls. In formal business calls, speakers usually identify themselves or their organization instead.

Who says it first?

Either caller or receiver can say moshi moshi. A casual call might begin:

A: もしもし。 Moshi moshi.

B: もしもし。今、大丈夫？ Moshi moshi. Ima, daijōbu? “Hi. Is now a good time?”

The expression can also repair a silence:

もしもし、聞こえますか。 Moshi moshi, kikoemasu ka. “Hello? Can you hear me?”

In that use, English “hello?” captures the check rather than a new greeting.

Why not say it in person?

Moshi moshi is conventional telephone language. Saying it to someone standing in front of you as a normal greeting sounds playful, theatrical, or like you are testing whether they are paying attention.

In person, choose the greeting that fits the time and relationship: ohayō gozaimasu, konnichiwa, or another situational expression.

Business calls

A company representative commonly answers by naming the company and themselves:

お電話ありがとうございます。ABC会社の佐藤でございます。 Odenwa arigatō gozaimasu. ABC-gaisha no Satō de gozaimasu. “Thank you for calling. This is Sato at ABC Company.”

A caller can identify themselves and ask for the relevant person:

ABC会社のリーと申します。田中様はいらっしゃいますか。 ABC-gaisha no Rī to mōshimasu. Tanaka-sama wa irasshaimasu ka. “My name is Lee from ABC Company. May I speak with Mr./Ms. Tanaka?”

These formulas do more work than moshi moshi: they establish identity, organization, and purpose. A learner does not become rude merely by saying moshi moshi, but it can sound too casual for a professional opening.

Mobile phones did not make it obsolete

Caller ID and messaging changed telephone habits, but moshi moshi remains recognizable and current. Friends may skip it and begin with a name, ima daijōbu? (“Is now okay?”), or the reason for calling. That variation is normal.

Avoid claims that every Japanese call must begin with the phrase. Real openings depend on whether the caller is known, whether the call is personal or professional, and whether the connection is clear.

A practical rule

Use moshi moshi for personal calls and “hello?” checks. In business, begin with your name or organization and use the call to establish who is speaking.

If you need to ask whether the timing is convenient, our guide to daijōbu explains why ima daijōbu desu ka asks whether the present situation is all right.

Source note

The basic telephone use and pronunciation are documented in the Japan Foundation’s Irodori Starter word list. The professional examples are original and presented as common models rather than universal company scripts.