もしもし

Japanese

Etymology

A reduplication of もし (moshi), a shortened form of 申し (mōshi), the 連用形 (ren'yōkei, continuative or stem form) of humble verb 申す (mōsu, to say, to speak).[1][2]

Pronunciation

Interjection

もしもし (rōmaji moshi moshi)

  1. A common Japanese telephone greeting: hello; a common greeting used when answering the telephone.
    もしもし。こちらは、山田 (やまだ)エージェンシーです。ご (よう) (けん)は?
    moshi moshi. Kochira wa, Yamada ējenshī desu. Go yōken 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.

Alternative forms

References

  1. 1988, 国語大辞典(新装版) (Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan
  2. 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN
  3. 1997, 新明解国語辞典 (Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten), Fifth Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN
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