What does “Moshi Moshi” Mean?
26. Feb, 2009
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“Moshi Moshi” is probably something you’ve seen or heard before. In Japanese, it’s used when answering the telephone, and roughly means “hello” or “hi.” You’re not really going to see this word used off the phone too much (though there are a couple of weird exceptions, see video below), so we’re going to focus on that. Learning to use “moshi moshi” when answering the phone is the easy part (you didn’t think I’d let you go that easily, did you?). Let’s find out why Japanese say “moshi moshi” when answering their phone, that’s the bedazzler.
If you don’t want to watch the highly entertaining (and cat telemarketer including) video above, here are the explanations in writing as well:
1. Foxes Can’t Pronounce MoshiMoshi
I’m not entirely convinced by this explanation. I have heard it in a couple of different places, but it could just as easily be a nasty rumor (probably spread around by a fox). Foxes, at least in Japanese fairy tales, are sneaky little buggers. They do things like turn into beautiful women, marry you, then screw you over (detect any spite in my words? You should.). They steal stuff, they mess with important things, and in general, are pretty tricky. Apparently, one reason “Moshi Moshi” is used, is because it’s difficult to say for a fox. So, if you say it on the phone, you can confirm whether or not you’re getting tricked. This works on telemarketers as well.
2. It’s the Operator’s Fault
Another explanation, one that seems more likely (though a lot less entertaining), is one I read about over here. Until 1890 (didn’t even know phones existed back then), people would say “oi oi” (おいおい) when answering the phone. In 1890, the operators switched over to saying “Moshi Moshi.” The kanji (申し申し) means “I’m going to say” or even more literally “say say.” It is just the humble form of iimasu (言います).
Either way, In all honestly, it probably doesn’t matter why people say “Moshi Moshi” when answering the phone. Why does “hi” mean “hi”? Why does “dog” mean “dog”? Who cares? I know this guy (with two thumbs) doesn’t.
So, which one do you like best? I’m putting my vote in for Mr. Fox. All you linguist majors can vote for number two.
P.S. Here’s some more Kublai Khan Footage. Also, my J-Blogging buddy the Gakuranman tells us why you have to say “Moshi” twice when answering the phone, instead of once!
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In french labguage and Portuguese language we have words with the exactly usage of MOSHI MOSHI….it's “ALO” to both language
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I'm definitely saying “Moshi Moshi” the next time a telemarketer calls me. I get a lot of those, and it can get pretty annoying at times.
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I have forgotten how hilarious your posts can be. It's been a long time…but I'm going to keep checking back regularly now. ;D
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Muchi Muchi no emi wa kana to omota desu
this video was really fun.. motto video wa tanshimeshte masu
arigato ne~
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I'm definitely saying “Moshi Moshi” the next time a telemarketer calls me. I get a lot of those, and it can get pretty annoying at times.
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im learnin japanese at my school ,but anyway how didi you write that in japanese
I used a program called an “input method editor.” If you're on Windows,
you'd use Microsoft IME, aka “the language bar.” Check the regional and
language settings for that. If you're using a Mac, it's even easier to set
up – just drop a check next to Japanese on the International settings panel
and then use the drop down menu to change the input language. Right now I'm
using Ubuntu Linux, so I'm using a combination of programs (iBus / anthy).
The basic effect is the same for all of them, though – you type in roman
characters using modified Japanese syllables and the corresponding Japanese
characters appear on screen in hiragana. If you want to use kanji, you can
usually automatically convert by hitting the spacebar – but be careful -
make sure you auto-convert to the exact kanji you want to use, not just the
first one on the list of possibilities. After all, there are zillions of
homophones in Japanese.
So, for example, you'd type “watasi” and “わたし” would appear with an
underline. If you hit the spacebar, you can turn it into “私.” But you should
be careful, because irrelevant conversions like “渡し” will also be available.
Good luck using Japanese input! 日本語の入力、頑張ってね！
:-)
im learnin japanese at my school ,but anyway how didi you write that in japanese
I used a program called an “input method editor.” If you're on Windows,
you'd use Microsoft IME, aka “the language bar.” Check the regional and
language settings for that. If you're using a Mac, it's even easier to set
up – just drop a check next to Japanese on the International settings panel
and then use the drop down menu to change the input language. Right now I'm
using Ubuntu Linux, so I'm using a combination of programs (iBus / anthy).
The basic effect is the same for all of them, though – you type in roman
characters using modified Japanese syllables and the corresponding Japanese
characters appear on screen in hiragana. If you want to use kanji, you can
usually automatically convert by hitting the spacebar – but be careful -
make sure you auto-convert to the exact kanji you want to use, not just the
first one on the list of possibilities. After all, there are zillions of
homophones in Japanese.
So, for example, you'd type “watasi” and “わたし” would appear with an
underline. If you hit the spacebar, you can turn it into “私.” But you should
be careful, because irrelevant conversions like “渡し” will also be available.
Good luck using Japanese input! 日本語の入力、頑張ってね！
:-)
Great stuff as always, muy interesante!
Can we just trade Koichi for Kublai Khan? (Nothing personal, Koichi.)
Great stuff as always, muy interesante!
Can we just trade Koichi for Kublai Khan? (Nothing personal, Koichi.)
Yeah why two Moshi's? One is not enough?…teach that damn fox a double lesson I guess. Always drives me crazy when people who speak english say 'bye, bye' … my mother has always said it and I always cringe. Seems almost antagonistical like you are speaking down to the person like you would a child.