もしもし

Japanese

Etymology

A reduplication of もし (moshi), a shortened form of 申し (mōshi), the noun stem form of humble verb 申す (mōsu, “to say”).

Interjection

もしもし (romaji moshi moshi)

1. A common Japanese telephone greeting: hello; a common greeting used when answering the telephone.

   (電話で) もしもし。こちらは、山田エージェンシーです。ご用件は？

   (でんわで) もしもし。こちらは、やまだエージェンシーです。ごようけんは？
   (Denwa de) Moshi moshi. Kochira wa Yamada ējenshī desu. Goyōken wa?

   (on the phone) Hello. This is Yamada Agency. May I help you?

2. Used to confirm that the person being addressed is listening, or to confirm if anyone is listening.

See also

• 申し申し (mōshi mōshi)