August 2009Archive

This is a list of various terms for the phone in Japanese.

 

There are a lot of words about the telephone in Japanese.

I made also the PDF file in order to download.
If you are necessary, please use it.

 

 

Important Japanese word on telephone; What does moshi-moshi mean?

Have you ever seen or heard "Moshi-Moshi"?
Ever wondered why Japanese people say 'Moshi Moshi' twice on the phone?

-In Japanese, it's used when answering the telephone, and means "hello" 　or "hi."

 

It is a little different though it is said.

 

<Etymology of Moshi-Moshi.>

The age when the telephone was used for the first time in Japan is an age of the name "Meiji era".
The samurai who had answered the telephone at that time said "Mousu-Mousu".
"Mousu" is a meaning "I speak".
The word into which the "Mousu" gradually have changed is present "Moshi-Moshi".
The telephone when the telephone began to be used was a chance to tell the requirement like not the conversation but telegraph.

In a word, Moshi-Moshi was a password "I talk the requirement, now".

Therefore, Moshi-Moshi is a Samurai word.
And, Moshi-Moshi is a signal to begin to talk.

 

 

By Hararie

 

The line on the alphabet in a table expresses "the sound to extend."

Phone Terminology List in Japanese.pdf

 

 

 

Expressions for asking a telephone number.

First of all, you need learning these words.

1.	1. This kanji is "Telephone. " Kanji is used usually. "I call ", in Japanese, "電話をする" (denwa wo suru) 　　　　 or "電話をかける" (denwa wo kakeru) 2. The telephone number: When you ask someone the telephone number, it is likely to be said possibly like this. "ケータイの番号でいいですか？" (keitai no bangou de iidesuka?" The mobile-phone penetration rate is very high in Japan. Japanese people request the call to the cellular phone if it is "Important requirement". 3. kanji "Cellular phone" has not been so used in recent Japan. It is because it takes time for the memo because the shape of the kanji is complex. Therefore, the katakana character "Cellular phone" is chiefly used. kanji: 携帯電話 Katakana: ケータイ
2.
3.

 

How do you ask for a phone number in Japanese?

There are various expressions in Japanese.

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
電話番号は何番ですか？ denwa-bangoh wa nanban desuka ?	What is your phone number?
電話番号を教えていただけますか？ denwa-bangoh wo oshiete itadake masuka ?	May I have your number?
電話番号をお聞きしたいのですが。 denwa-bangoh wo o-kiki shitaino desuga.
ご連絡先を教えていただけますか？ go-renkaku-saki wo oshiete itadake masuka ?	How can I get in touch with you?
ケータイの番号をお聞きしてもよろしいでしょうか。 ke-tai no bangoh wo o-kiki shitemo yoroshii deshouka.	May I have your cellular phone number?
ご自宅の電話番号を伺ってもよろしいでしょうか。 go-jitaku no denwa-bangoh wo ukagatte mo yoroshii deshouka.	May I have your landline number?

 

Humble expression in Japanese used on sentence beginning

• おそれいります/恐れ入ります [Osoreirimasu]
• おそれいりますが/恐れ入りますが[Osoreirimasuga]

Well, this expression is "Humble expression in Japanese used on the sentence beginning."This is a modesty expression often used by the telephone, the conversation, and sentences.
The Japanese have the mind that modesty is virtue.
Therefore, the Japanese likes this expression very much.
When you use this expression, the Japanese will respect you very much.

• "恐れ入ります、電話番号は何番ですか？"
  osore irimasu, denwa bango wa nanban desuka ?
  
  
• "恐れ入りますが、電話番号を教えていただけますか？"
  osore irimasuga denwa bango wo oshiete itadake masuka?

 

These are the almost same meanings.
Why does Japanese have various expressions in this way?
I feel it very strangely, though I am Japanese.

By Hararie

 

 

What does "DOUMO" mean?

 

Originally the word "どうも「DOUMO」" is an "emphasis adverb."
DOUMO is used as an emphasis adverb for "Word of thanks, the apology, and the greeting of the appreciation etc.", and it is used in other various scenes.

"Doumo" is used as one sentence very frequently, and means something which makes the communication smoother.

The very popular Japanese word that you can use for almost all the situations.
The word is "どうも[Doumo]".

 

Word DOUMO has 5 meanings.

1. DOUMO for a greeting.
2. DOUMO for thanks.
3. DOUMO for emphasis.
4. DOUMO for omission of sentence.
5. DOUMO with the meaning of "Somehow" "For some reason"

1. DOUMO for a greeting.

When a person and a person met accidentally somewhere, this "DOUMO" is used.
Or as a greeting to the person whom you met after a long time.

In the Japanese sentence, expression is different by the male and a female.

Sex	Japanese & Pronunciation	English
Male	やあ、どうも！お元気ですか？ yah ! doumo ! ogenki desuka ?	Oh, hi ! How are you?
	いやあ、どうも！ Iyahh, doumo ! ああ、どうも～! Ah, doumoh!	Oh, hi ! (Nice to see you again!) (Long time no see!)
Female	あら、どうも！お元気ですか？ yah ! doumo ! ogenki desuka ?	Oh, hi ! How are you?
	あら！どうも！ ara! doumo! まあ、どうも！ mah, doumo !	Oh, hi ! (Nice to see you again!) (Long time no see!)
male and female	あ、どうも！ a, doumo!	Oh, hi ! /Hello !

 

The end of a word of these "DOUMO" lengthens lightly.

These "DOUMO" is a general, light greeting.

It is not polite to use DOUMO in a formal scene

You should use the following expressions in a formal scene.

 

English	Japanese
It's been a long time. It's been so long.	おひさしぶりです。 [o-hisashiburi desu]
	ご無沙汰しております。 [gobusata shite orimasu]

 

2. DOUMO for thanks.

The meaning of this "DOUMO" is simple and lucid.
This DOUMO has the meaning "very, very much, really".

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
Thank you very much.	どうも。 doumo.
Thank you very much indeed.	どうも どうも。 doumo doumo.
I cannot thank you more.	本当にどうもありがとう。 hontou ni doumo arigatou.

 

3. DOUMO for emphasis.

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
I'm very sorry.	どうも すみません。 doumo sumimasen.
Thank you very much.	どうもありがとうございます。 doumo arigatou gozaimasu.
How kind of you.	ご親切にどうも。 go-shinsetsu ni doumo.
Thank you very much for your reply.	お返事どうもありがとうございます。 o-henji doumo arigatoh gozaimasu.

 

4.DOUMO for omission of sentence.

The inside of parenthesis of the following sentences is omitted sentence.

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
What a nice house ! I'm glad you like it.	素敵なお宅ですね。 suteki na o-taku desune. [ 気に入ってくれて] どうも [ ありがとう ]。 [kini itte kurete] doumo [arigatoh].
Thank you very much for your kindness the other day. [=I appreciated your help the other day.]	先日はどうも [お世話になりました]。 senjitsu wa doumo [o-sewa ni narimashita]
I had a great time the other day.	先日はどうも（楽しい時間をありがとう）。 senjitsu wa doumo [ tanoshii jikan wo arigatoh].
Oh, You're welcome.	いやいや、どうも。 iya iya, doumo.

Probably you cannot understand these.

It is because these are mysterious expressions peculiar to Japanese people.

When those who receive a greeting understand the situation, Japanese people do not speak about the contents concretely.

For this reason, gratitude is substituted by "DOUMO (thank you)" often.

 

 

5. DOUMO with the meaning of "Somehow" "For some reason"

This DOUMO is used when that reason cannot be explained clearly.

	English	Japanese & Pronunciation
Intuitive; Somehow;	Somehow I don't like him.	どうも私は彼が好きでない。 doumo watashi wa kare ga suki denai.
	Somehow I felt uncomfortable in the room.	その部屋はどうも居心地が悪かった。 sono heya wa doumo igokochi ga warukatta.
	There is something wrong with this PC.	このパソコンはどうも調子が悪いな。 kono pasokon wa doumo choshi ga waruina.
	There is something funny about her.	彼女はどうも変な人だ。 kanojo wa doumo hen na hito da.
Expectation	It's likely to rain. It looks like rain.	どうも雨になりそうだ。 doumo ame ni narisouda.
	It does seem to be his doing.	どうもあいつのしわざらしい。 doumo aitsu no shiwaza rashii.
	It seems that you were lying.	君はどうも嘘をついていたように思われる。 kimi wa doumo uso wo tsuite ita yoh ni omowareru.
	"Are we late?" "I'm afraid so. / I suppose so."	" 私たちは遅刻になっちゃうかな？" watashi tachi wa chikoku ni nacchau kana ? "どうもそのようだね" doumo sono yoh dane.

 

 

Japanese ultimate vague word "DOUMO DOUMO"

 

This DOUMO is "an ambiguous apology" peculiar to Japanese people.

"I'm really sorry I've kept you waiting so long."

In English, such an apology is necessary.

But, the Japanese says only "DOUNO DOUMO" to an intimate friend.
When it stands alone, "doumo" is an abbreviation for either "doumo arigatou" or "doumo sumimasen." Japanese people have a tendency which is going to express or solve the cause and things vaguely.
"Doumo" is not impolite word, but not extremely polite either.
But, note that you are not encouraged to use "Doumo" as a sentence to your boss.

The Japanese is the race which respects the harmony with the surrounding.
Japanese's disposition may be the cause which makes Japanese the more difficult language.

 

By Hararie

 

 

 

How do you ask the Japanese the age in Japanese?

 

How old are you in Japanese?

First of all, in many cases, you should not ask others' age fundamentally.
In most cultures that's considered a personal question and not something you ask unless you know that person well.
It is indeed rude to ask people age in most cultures.
If it in particular is for the woman.
It's the same in Japan.

If it is the age of "the woman who looks clearly younger than real age", I think it's OK.

 

Expression not to make the woman who asked the age angry.

おいくつですか？(O-ikutsu desu ka?)
-This is beginner's question type.

おいくつでらっしゃいますか？(O-ikutsu de rasshai masuka?)
-This is an intermediate.

もしかして２４～２５歳ぐらいですか？(moshikashite nijyuu shi go sai gurai desuka?)
-This is a high-level way to ask.
Ask like this even if that person has 32-33-year-old externals.
It is felt that the woman is very glad.
She will have good feeling in you.

nijyuu shi go(24-25)

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
おいくつですか？ o-ikutsu desuka?	[ Polite expression] May I ask your age?
おいくつでらっしゃいますか？ o-ikutsu de rasshai masuka?
年はおいくつですか？ o-toshi wa o-ikutsu desuka??
お年を聞いてもよろしいですか？ o-toshi wo kiitemo yoroshii desuka?	[ Modest expression] May I ask your age?
年齢をお聞きしてもよろしいですか？ nenrei wo o-kiki shitemo yoroshii desuka?
[ About word "ikutsu"] This "ikutsu" is a word used for the number. It is used for "conversation or a sentence" about "a number and the age".

 

Moreover, if somewhere you need to check people's age, ask it like this.

年齢を確認させていただいてもよろしいでしょうか？
Nenrei wo kakunin sasete itadaitemo yoroshii deshouka?

年齢をお聞きしてもよろしいですか？
nenrei wo o-kiki shitemo yoroshii desuka?

 

 

Japanese language & the woman are very delicate & troublesome.

 

By Hararie

 

 

Question - What is your job?

 

For example, a teacher, a doctor, a banker, a computer engineer, a government employee.

Though answering about these occupations is easy, there may be many occupations in which it is difficult to answer unexpectedly.

For instance, sales promotion project [or planning].
It is not easy to tell this to the Japanese in Japanese.

Well, there is a very vague, very convenient word in Japanese.
I teach it to you.

 

Very convenient expression "Kankei and Kei."

"関係[Kankei] and 系[Kei]": These two words are very convenient words that show "Wide range".

In case of the explanation regarding occupation, both are used in the same meaning.

These are expressions of comparatively new Japanese.

Then, look at the usage example.

If your work is work related to the trade, ｔhis is an answer most easily for you.
If you are not a scene from which a detailed answer is requested, you should say an easy answer.

In small talk, Japanese people are not asking for the detailed answer.
Japanese people have the concept "Don't be so inquisitive about others."

Therefore, in the case of small talk, such an answer is enough.

Moreover, if you don't want to answer the question, this way to answer is convenient.

 

Other expressions

There are also various other expressions.
For your information.

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
ABC会社に勤めています。 ABC gaisha ni tsutomete imasu.	I work for ABC Company.
営業をしています。 eigyo wo shite imasu.	I'm a sales representative.
パートで働いてます。 paato de hataraite masu.	I'm working part-time.
今は無職です。 ima wa mushoku desu. 今は働いていません。 ima wa hataraite imasen.	I'm not working now.
仕事を探しています。 shigoto wo sagashite imasu. 求職中です。 kyushoku chu desu.	I'm looking for a job.
今は失業中です。 ima wa shitsugyo chu desu.	I'm out of work now.

 

By Hararie

 

 

When you ask someone the occupation, say in this way.

If that person is not an intimate relation to you, you should talk to that person by the honorific.

"Polite expression"?

A Japanese honorific has some kinds.

They are Honorific expression, Formal lines, and Humble expression.

But, the Japanese who actually understands and is using these accurately might be few.
Easiest "Formal lines" is to put "です[desu]" and "ます[masu]" to the ending of a word of your conversation.

And, put "ますか[masuka]?" and "ですか[desuka]?" on the ending of a word of the conversation in the interrogative.

When you ask someone the occupation, say in this way.

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
あなたのお仕事は何ですか？ anata no o-shigoto wa nan desuka?	What kind of work do you do?
お仕事は何ですか？ o-shigoto wa nan desuka?
お仕事は何をされてるんですか？ o-shigoto wa nani wo sarete run desuka?
ご職業は何ですか？ go-syokugyo wa nan desuka?	What is your occupation?
ご職業は何をされてますか？ go-syokugyo wa nani wo sarete masuka?
[ "お[o] and ご[go]/御[go]" which are placed on "職業[shokugyo] and 仕事[shigoto]" ] These are "Word that shows the politeness" put on the noun. And it is more decent to use these only for the language used as the point.

 

By Hararie

 

How to say "Where are you from?" in Japanese.

Today's lesson is "Where are you from?" and "Where did you come from?"

First, please learn these Japanese words.

• どちら[dochira]
  　=where
  
  
• どこ[doko]
  　=where
  
  
• あなた[anata]
  　=you
  
  
• ご出身[go-shusshin],
  お国[okuni],
  　=your nationality.
  　=your hometown.
  
  
• から[kara]
  　=from
  
  
• 来た[kita],
  来られ[korare],
  　=come

The above-mentioned is a simple explanation of the meaning of each word.
Moreover, "お[o]" and "ご[go]" are the special sounds put for a polite word.

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
<Polite way> ご出身はどちらですか？ goshusshin wa dochira desuka?	Where are you from? Where you live?
<Basic way> お国はどちらですか？ okuni wa dochira desuka?
<Basic way> ご出身は？ goshusshin wa?
<The spoken language.(not polite.)> どこの国の人？ doko no kuni no hito?
*The above-mentioned are expression that asks the nationality.
<Polite way> どちら から 来られました？ dochira kara korare mashita?	Where did you come from? Where are you from?
<Basic way> どこ から 来たんですか？ doko kara kitan desuka?
The spoken language.(not polite) どこ から 来たの？ doko kara kita no?
[ National origin? Place of departure point? ] *The above-mentioned are very ambiguous. But Japanese people will not ask a "national origin" to Japanese people. If you are not oriental, these questions ask "Your nationality".

 

 

By Hararie

 

 

Greeting with person whom you meet for the first time

The feature of Japanese people's greeting is a point that the body doesn't come in contact.

They bow first keeping a constant distance with you, and they talk with you.

They will repeat the depth and the respectful bow many times while talking.
This is peculiar Japanese "Expression of the respect" though the foreigner who visited Japan seems to feel the sense of incongruity.

Moreover, Japanese people will frequently use the word "DOUMO[どうも]" as one of the "Expression of the respect".

Please don't worry because these are our habits.

 

English	Japanese & Pronunciation
I'm honored to meet you, Mr.Smith. It's an honor for me to meet you, Mr.Smith. It's a great pleasure to meet you, Mr.Smith.	お合いできて光栄です、スミスさん。 oai dekite kouei desu, sumisu san.
I've been looking forward to meeting you.	お合いすることを楽しみにしていました。 oai suru koto wo tanosimi ni shite imashita.
I've always Wanted to meet you.	ずっとお合いしたいと思っていました。 zutto oai shitai to omotte mashita.
It's great to finally meet you.	やっとお合いできてとてもうれしいです。 yatto oai dekite totemo ureshii desu.
I've heard a lot about you. I've heard so much about you.	お噂はかねがねうかがっております。 ouwasa wa kanegane ukaggate orimasu.

 

Sound files page

<Notes>

• Audio files are the wav file format. Please listen to these sounds in the environment which can play wav files.
• Wav Player - Free software downloads page

WinAmp

Windows Media Player

RealOne Player

Apple - QuickTime

 

Greeting with person whom you meet for the first time

The feature of Japanese people's greeting is a point that the body doesn't come in contact.

They bow first keeping a constant distance with you, and they talk with you.

They will repeat the depth and the respectful bow many times while talking.
This is peculiar Japanese "Expression of the respect" though the foreigner who visited Japan seems to feel the sense of incongruity.

Moreover, Japanese people will frequently use the word "DOUMO[どうも]" as one of the "Expression of the respect".

Please don't worry because these are our habits.

 

Japanese & Pronunciation	English
はじめまして。 hajime mashite.	Nice to meet you.
こんにちは。 konnichiwa.	Hello. Hi. Good afternoon .
ようこそ。 youkoso.	I'm glad you could come
よくいらっしゃいました。 yoku irasshai mashita.	It's really nice of you to come.
ようこそいらっしゃいました。 youkoso irasshai mashita.

 

Sound files page

<Notes>

• Audio files are the wav file format. Please listen to these sounds in the environment which can play wav files.
• Wav Player - Free software downloads page

WinAmp

Windows Media Player

RealOne Player

Apple - QuickTime