Japanese

Interjection

もしもし ‎(romaji 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。ご用件 (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

• 申 (もう)し申 (もう)し ‎(mōshi mōshi)

References

1. ↑ 1988, 国語大辞典（新装版） (Kokugo Dai Jiten, Revised Edition) (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan
2. 1 2 2006, 大辞林 (Daijirin), Third Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, ISBN 4-385-13905-9
3. ↑ 1997, 新明解国語辞典 (Shin Meikai Kokugo Jiten), Fifth Edition (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Sanseidō, ISBN 4-385-13143-0