{"id":4773,"date":"2022-06-24T15:52:17","date_gmt":"2022-06-24T15:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=4773"},"modified":"2022-06-24T15:52:17","modified_gmt":"2022-06-24T15:52:17","slug":"moshi-moshi-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/moshi-moshi-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Moshi Moshi \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you calling a Japanese person? Don\u2019t be surprised if they pick up the phone and say, \u201cmoshi moshi<\/em>.\u201d This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this telephonic expression.<\/p>\n

Meaning<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cmoshi moshi<\/em>\u201d (\u3082\u3057\u3082\u3057) is a common phrase in the Japanese language. Japanese people, especially young women, use it when answering the phone at home. Many people think it translates to \u201chello<\/em>,\u201d but it is akin to \u201cI speak, I speak<\/em>.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

The phrase is common in Manga and anime content. You\u2019ll likely hear the character use it on the phone, followed by their name and the word \u201cdesu<\/em>.\u201d There are hundreds of internet manga and anime memes of the phrase online.<\/p>\n

Example Usage<\/h2>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Kelly desu, how have you been, girl? \u201cIt\u2019s been ages since we spoke. I was just thinking about calling you now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Sandra desu. Oh, you want to speak to my father? That\u2019s no problem. Hang on for a minute while I find him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Kim desu. Yes, we\u2019re around the block from the statue. Just keep following the balloons until you find the place.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Tina desu. Hi, we\u2019re all here waiting for you now. You can come through whenever you\u2019re ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Ariana desu. Oh, it\u2019s you! Great, I wanted to ask you something about the book club meeting this week, but I forgot what it was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMoshi moshi, Penelope desu. Yes, you have the right number. I\u2019m practicing my Japanese introductions this week on the phone.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\"<\/p>\n

Origin<\/h2>\n

The expression \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d originates from the Japanese language. It\u2019s a way of answering the phone at home or on personal calls. You use the phrase to let people know that you\u2019re speaking on the phone ad you want to know what the other person wants or why they called.<\/p>\n

Language experts believe there are several explanations for the origin of \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d (\u3082\u3057\u3082\u3057) as a greeting. The saying has roots in the verb \u201cmousu\u201d (\u7533\u3059\/\u3082\u3046\u3059), meaning \u201cto say.\u201d The expression first appears in the Japanese language in the 1980s after the arrival of personal telephonic communications at home.<\/p>\n

The female operators used a polite and humble tone on the phone, with the greeting \u201cmoushimasu\u201d (\u7533\u3057\u307e\u3059\/\u3082\u3046\u3057\u307e\u3059). This expression means \u201cto say\u201d in Japanese, and operators use it with callers in a privileged position in society.<\/p>\n

However, the first telephones were of poor quality, and the operator would repeat the greeting \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d to make sure the other person knew they were on the line with them.<\/p>\n

Despite the change in technology, Japanese people still double up on the greeting when answering the phone today.<\/p>\n