Phone and Voicemail Listening

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand key phrases and vocabulary used in Japanese phone calls and voicemail messages. You will learn to identify common expressions, recognize polite speech patterns, and catch important details like names, numbers, and times.

Phone and voicemail Japanese uses a specific set of polite phrases and shortened expressions. The key is to listen for fixed patterns (e.g., greetings, apologies, requests) and key information (names, phone numbers, times). Voicemail messages are often slower and more deliberate, making them a great place to practice listening.

1. Common Phone Greetings (Denwa no Aisatsu / でんわのあいさつ)

These are the first things you'll hear. They are very formulaic.

Listening Tip: The speaker will often state their name or company name right after the greeting. Listen for this first piece of key information.

2. Requesting Someone (Hito o Tanomu / ひとをたのむ)

The caller will ask to speak to a specific person.

Listening Tip: Focus on the name that comes before お願いします (onegai shimasu) or いらっしゃいますか (irasshaimasu ka). That's the person they want.願

3. Apologies and Explanations (Ayamari to Setsumei / あやまりとせつめい)

The person is unavailable. Listen for the reason.

Listening Tip: The reason is usually the key part. Listen for words like 席 (seki - seat), 休み (yasumi - rest/day off), or 電話 (denwa - phone call).席休電話

4. Voicemail Message Patterns (Rūsu-denwa / るーすでんわ)

Voicemails are structured. Learn to listen for these parts.

Listening Tip: The most important part is the call to action (e.g., "leave your name and message") and the promise (e.g., "I will call you back").

5. Key Numbers and Times (Kazu to Jikan / かずとじかん)

Phone numbers and times are critical. Listen for the counter words.

Listening Tip: Practice hearing numbers quickly. In voicemails, numbers are often said slowly and repeated.

Example 1: A simple business call

• Japanese: 「はい、山田商事でございます。田中さんをお願いします。」山田商事中願
• Romaji: "Hai, Yamada Shōji de gozaimasu. Tanaka-san o onegai shimasu."
• English: "Yes, this is Yamada Trading. May I speak with Mr. Tanaka?"

Example 2: The person is unavailable

• Japanese: 「申し訳ございません。田中はただいま、席を外しております。」申訳田中席外
• Romaji: "Mōshiwake gozaimasen. Tanaka wa tadaima, seki o hazushite orimasu."
• English: "I'm sorry. Tanaka is away from his desk right now."

Example 3: A voicemail greeting

• Japanese: 「お電話ありがとうございます。ただいま、留守にしております。発信音の後で、お名前とご用件をお話しください。」電話留守発信
• Romaji: "O-denwa arigatō gozaimasu. Tadaima, rusu ni shite orimasu. Hasshin-on no ato de, o-namae to go-yōken o o-hanashi kudasai."
• English: "Thank you for your call. I am not available right now. After the beep, please leave your name and message."

Mistake: Confusing お願いします (onegai shimasu) with いらっしゃいますか (irasshaimasu ka) when listening for a name.願

• お願いします is a direct request ("I ask for [Name]").願
• いらっしゃいますか is a question ("Is [Name] there?").

Tip: The name is always the word right before these phrases. Practice identifying the name first, then ignore the ending.

Listen to these short audio clips (imagine them spoken) and fill in the blanks.

1. 「はい、___でございます。佐藤さんをお願いします。」佐藤願

   • What is the company name? (Hint: A common electronics company)
   • Answer: パナソニック (Panasonic)
   佐藤願

2. 「申し訳ございません。山田はただいま、___を___しております。」申訳山田

   • What is the reason? (Hint: Not at the desk)
   • Answer: 席を外して (seki o hazushite)席外
   申訳山田席外

You've learned the core patterns for understanding phone calls and voicemails in Japanese. The key is to listen for the structure: greeting → request → reason (if unavailable) → key information (name, number, time).

Next Step: Practice by listening to real Japanese voicemail greetings online (e.g., from company websites or YouTube). Try to identify the company name, the person being requested, and the reason for absence. Then, write down the phone number you hear. This will train your ear for the real thing.