Why do Japanese say Moshi Moshi?

Moshi moshi, or もしもし, is a common Japanese phrase that Japanese people use when picking up the phone. It's a casual greeting used for friends and family, like a “hello”, but in fact means something entirely different! In English, it literally means something more like, “to say to say”, or “I speak I speak”.


How do you reply to Moshi Mosh?

Origin of “Moshi-Moshi”

Since they were rich, they were used to talking down to others. Therefore, the common “phone greeting” was “Oi-Oi” [おいおい] or “Hey YOU!” The person on the other end would respond with “Hai, you gozaimasu” [はい、ようございます] or “Hai, you gozansu” [はい、ようござんす].

Why do Japanese say Hai so much?

Sometimes it's used as neutral filler speech to indicate you're listening. Sometimes it's used as a sign of acknowledgement. Sometimes it's used as a delineating device to indicate a change in topic. Sometimes it's used as a way of saying “here you go”.


What is Japanese Moshi?

Mochi (もち, 餅) is a Japanese rice cake made of mochigome (もち米), a short-grain japonica glutinous rice, and sometimes other ingredients such as water, sugar, and cornstarch.

How do you say yes in Japanese?

'Yes' in Japanese is はい (hai), but you often hear わかりました (wakarimashita) which literally means 'I understand' or 'OK, I agree. ' However, in informal situations, it is also acceptable to say OK です (it's OK) and, particularly amongst friends, you can utter ええ (ee).


WHY SAY もしもし (MOSHI-MOSHI)? IS IT ACTUALLY RUDE?



What is the hardest Japanese word to pronounce?

Top 10 Hardest Words to Pronounce in Japanese
  • Click here to listen to the audio pronunciation!
  • ツイッター。 – Twitter.
  • 伝えられなかった。 – Could not tell.
  • 侵略。 – invasion.
  • 便利。 – Convenient.
  • 出力。 – Output power.
  • 店員。 – Clerk.
  • 旅行。 – Traveling.


How do you say sorry in Japanese?

You can make it more formal by saying "gomen-nasai" ごめんなさい or more friendly with "gomen-ne" ごめんね. "Warui warui" 悪い悪い or "my bad" is also a very casual way to say sorry. "Sumimasen" すみません, which can be translated as "excuse me", also works as an apology depending on how it is used.

What do Japanese call Japan?

Historians say the Japanese called their country Yamato in its early history, and they began using Nippon around the seventh century. Nippon and Nihon are used interchangeably as the country's name.


What does Arigato mean?

Interjection. arigato. (colloquial) Thank you (used in the context of, or to evoke, Japanese culture).

Is saying Anata rude?

When Japanese people explicitly state “you” in their sentences, it's proper to use the person's name and attach a suffix. You are probably already familiar with “~san”, which is a polite suffix. If you use “anata” with someone who you know, it is rude.

How do you respond to konnichiwa?

When someone greets you in Japanese with “Konnichiwa” it is best to respond with the same phrase “Konnichiwa”. Even though it means “Good afternoon” or “Hello” and is usually used around noon or in the afternoon, it is common to…


Do they say I love you in Japan?

Linguistic differences aside, there is a larger cultural difference that causes a mistranslation to occur. Japanese people simply do not regularly say “I love you.” Someone might say “Aishiteru” in a sappy romantic movie, but overall the lingering impression after one professes their love in Japanese is a profound ...

What do Japanese say when hanging up the phone?

Ending the Conversation

失礼します。 しつれいします。 Shitsurei shimasu.

How do you greet a Japanese person?

The most common phrases when greeting someone familiar is “Ohayō gozaimasu” (Good morning), “Konnichiwa” ('Hello' or 'Good day'), and “Konbanwa” ('Good evening').


What are the basic Japanese words?

Basic Phrases
  • Hai. Yes. はい。
  • Iie. No. いいえ。
  • O-negai shimasu. Please. おねがいします。
  • Arigatō. Thank you. ありがとう。
  • Dōitashimashite. You're welcome. どういたしまして。
  • Sumimasen. Excuse me. すみません。
  • Gomennasai. I am sorry. ごめんなさい。
  • Ohayō gozaimasu. Good morning. おはようございます。


What do you call a girl in Japan?

The word onna is one of the most general and simplified terms used to refer to women and is commonly used in official documents and forms when specifying one's gender.

What do Japanese call America?

The Japanese word for America is represented by kanji characters 米国 meaning "rice country". This is pronounced “beikoku” in Japanese.


What is a boy called in Japan?

Danshi is a standard way to say 'boy' in Japanese.

Danshi is a combination of two kanji, dan / 男, meaning 'male' and ko / 子 meaning 'child'. As a compound word, the kanji for male 男, uses its onyomi reading dan instead of its kunyomi (featured in the next word) which is otoko.

Is it OK to just say arigato?

"Arigato" is for Friends

This is a casual way of saying "thank you", usually used toward family, your partner and friends who are the same age or younger than you.

How do you say it's OK in Japanese?

"It's okay, don't worry" means “大丈夫です。 心配ありません。 (Daijoubu desu. Shinpai arimasen)”.


What is Domo Sumimasen?

domo sumimasen means 'I am very sorry' and hontou in sumimasen means 'I am really sorry.

What is the coolest Japanese name?

Here are a few of our favorite Japanese baby names.
  • Ai.
  • Asahi.
  • Chiyo.
  • Daiki.
  • Emiko.
  • Hana.
  • Hiroko.
  • Hiroshi.


What are some badass Japanese words?

18 Badass Japanese Slang Words to Impress Your Friends
  • Yabai.
  • Maji de.
  • Meccha (Meccha kuccha)
  • Chou.
  • Uso.
  • Kimoi.
  • Ukeru.
  • Saitei.


What is the meanest Japanese word?

“Baka” is the most common Japanese swear word. The baka meaning usually translates to foolish or stupid. But it can take on a whole range of meanings depending on context, relationship, and other factors. In kanji, it's usually written baka 馬鹿 ばか .
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