What Moshi Moshi means?

1 – Summary of the Article:

Moshi Moshi – The Meaning and Usage in Japanese Culture

Moshi moshi, or もしもし, is a common Japanese phrase used when answering the phone. It is a casual greeting used among friends and family, but its literal meaning is quite interesting. In English, it can be translated as “I speak I speak” or “to say to say”. The phrase originated as a way to politely respond to a phone call and is now deeply rooted in Japanese telephone etiquette.

Key Points:

1. Moshi moshi is a casual greeting used when answering the phone in Japan.
2. It literally means “I speak I speak” in English.
3. The phrase is deeply ingrained in Japanese telephone etiquette.
4. Its origin is rooted in the politeness and respectfulness of Japanese culture.
5. Japanese people use “moshi moshi” to show their acknowledgment and readiness to communicate.
6. The phrase is not used in written texts, but rather in verbal conversations.
7. There is a historical connection between “moshi moshi” and magical foxes called kitsune.
8. The name “moshi” itself means “if; in case; supposing” in Japanese.
9. To politely conclude a phone call or exchange, Japanese people often use expressions like “thank you for your support” or “shitsurei shimasu”.
10. The phrase “moshi moshi” continues to be an important part of Japanese communication and cultural identity.

15 Questions and Detailed Answers:

1. What does Moshi Moshi literally mean?

Moshi moshi literally means “I speak I speak” or “to say to say” in English. It is a greeting used when picking up the phone in Japan.

2. What is the appropriate response to Moshi Moshi?

To politely conclude a phone call or exchange, the conventional expression used in Japanese is “お世話になっております” (o-sewa ni natte orimasu), which translates to “Thank you for your support, thank you for working with us.” Another polite phrase that can be used to conclude a conversation is “shitsurei shimasu”.

3. Why do Japanese people say Moshi Moshi when answering the phone?

The reason behind using “moshi moshi” as a phone greeting is connected to the cultural belief and fear of malevolent kitsune, or magical foxes in Japan. Kitsune are known to be powerful, shape-shifting creatures that can create illusions and often trick people. Saying “moshi moshi” became a way to ward off any potential harm from an unknown caller.

4. What is the meaning of the name Moshi in Japanese?

The name “moshi” in Japanese means “if; in case; supposing”. It is a word used to express conditional situations or assumptions.

5. How do you say “I love you” in Japanese?

There are several ways to express “I love you” in Japanese:

• Aishiteru (愛してる) – This is the most straightforward translation for “I love you”.
• Suki yanen (好きやねん) – It can be translated as “I love ya” in a more casual manner.
• Koishii desu (恋しいです) – This phrase expresses a yearning for the person, which conveys a deep affection.
• Suki Da (愛してる) – It can be translated as “I like you” and is often used to express affection.
• Suki Yo (好きよ) – Translated as “I like you”, this phrase is more casual in nature.
• Suki Dayo (好きだよ) – Another way to say “I like you” in a less formal and more intimate manner.

6. Can Moshi Moshi be used in written text?

No, “moshi moshi” is not typically used in written texts. It is specifically used as a verbal greeting when answering the phone in Japan.

7. What is the difference between “konnichiwa” and “Moshi Moshi”?

Both “konnichiwa” and “moshi moshi” are commonly used in Japan but have different meanings and contexts. “Moshi moshi” is used specifically as a phone greeting, while “konnichiwa” is a general way to say “good afternoon” or “hello” as a casual greeting.

8. How do you say “yes” in Japanese?

The simple and direct word for “yes” in Japanese is “Hai”. It is commonly used in everyday Japanese speech.

9. Is “moshi moshi” a formal or informal greeting?

“Moshi moshi” is considered a casual greeting used among friends and family when answering the phone. It is not commonly used in formal situations.

10. Are there any other phrases or greetings similar to “moshi moshi” in Japanese?

While “moshi moshi” is unique to phone greetings, Japanese culture has various other greetings and phrases used in different contexts. Some examples include “ohayou gozaimasu” (good morning), “konbanwa” (good evening), and “arigatou gozaimasu” (thank you very much).

11. Can “moshi moshi” be used as a general greeting in Japan?

No, “moshi moshi” is primarily used as a phone greeting and is not commonly used as a general greeting in Japan. Other greetings like “konnichiwa” or “ohayou gozaimasu” are more appropriate for general interactions.

12. Is there any historical significance to the phrase “moshi moshi”?

While “moshi moshi” does not have a deep historical significance, its usage as a phone greeting became popular in Japan during the late 19th century with the introduction of the telephone.

13. Is “moshi moshi” used differently in different regions of Japan?

The usage of “moshi moshi” as a phone greeting is consistent throughout Japan and is widely understood in all regions.

14. Are there any alternative greetings used when answering the phone in Japan?

While “moshi moshi” is the most common phone greeting, some people may also use greetings like “hai” (hello) or “douzo” (please go ahead) when answering the phone in Japan.

15. Is there a specific tone of voice or pronunciation for saying “moshi moshi”?

There is no specific requirement for the tone of voice or pronunciation of “moshi moshi” other than speaking in a clear and polite manner. The focus is more on using the phrase as a form of acknowledgment when answering the phone.