When you want a call back as the person you want to talk to is absent, it’s best to communicate this with “cushion words” coupled with the “form used for requests.”
Instead of saying “Orikaeshi denwaga hoshii to tsutaete kudasai” (Please tell him/her to call me back?), put this in the form of a question: “Osoreirimasuga, orikaeshi odenwao choudai shitaito otsutae itadakemasuka?” (I’m sorry to bother you, but would you kindly tell him/her to call me back?)
Cushion words are expressions that defer to the judgment of the person you’re talking to, and have the effect of making a gentler impression on that person.
The following cushion words also make a good impression.
“Shitsureidesuga…” (Excuse me, but…) “Otesuudesuga…” (Sorry to bother you, but…) “Ainiku…” (Unfortunately…) “Gomendoudesuga…” (Sorry to cause you trouble, but…) “Yoroshikereba…” (If you don’t mind…) “Oisogashiitokoro moushiwakegozaimasenga…” (I’m sorry to bother you at a busy time, but…).
When you ask a favor of a person, put it in the form of a request, for example, “- shite itadakemasuka?”
A formal request creates a humble impression and shows that you are treating the person you’re talking to with respect.
When you convey information such as phone numbers, names or addresses, it is good to add courteous language.
For instance, confirm whether the person is ready to take a memo, by saying “Dewa, moushiagemasu. Yoroshiidesuka.” (Now I’ll tell you. Are you ready?)
When arranging to call a person back, you should say, “Nochihodo, aratamete odenwaitashimasu” (I’ll call him/her again later).
In addition, it’s best to confirm a convenient time for the person you want to talk to.
When leaving a message for the person absent, say, “Otesuudesuga, dengono onegai shitemo yoroshiideshouka” (Sorry to bother you, but could you pass on a message?).
話したい
hanashitai
(you) want to talk to
相手が
aite ga
(the) person
「クッション言葉」
kussyonn kotoba
cushion words
「依頼形」
irai kei
(the) form used for requests
伝えると
tsutaeru to
to communicate (this)
電話がほしいと
dennwa gahoshii to
to call (me)
伝えて
tsutaete
tell (him/her)
代わりに、
kawarini,
instead of
「恐れ入ります
osoreirimasu
(I)’m sorry to bother (you)
お電話を
odennwa wo
to call (me)
ちょうだいしたいと
choudai shitai to
kindly
お伝え
otsutae
tell (him/her)
いただけますか」
itadakemasuka
would (you)?
質問する形
shitsumonn suru katachi
(the) form of (a) question
クッション言葉は
kussyonn kotoba ha
cushion words
相手に
aite ni
(the) person (you’re talking to)
判断を
hanndann wo
(the) judgment (of)
ゆだねる
yudaneru
(that) defer to
表現
hyougenn
expressions
印象を
innshou wo
a[n] impression
効果が
kouka ga
(the) effect (of)
次のような
tsugi no you na
(the) following
クッション言葉
kussyonn kotoba
cushion words
印象を
innsyou wo
a[n] impression
「失礼ですが……」
shitsurei desu ga
excuse me but
「お手数ですが……」
otesuu desu ga
sorry to bother you but
「あいにく……」
ainiku
unfortunately
「ご面倒ですが……」
gomenndou desu ga
sorry to cause you trouble but
「よろしければ……」
yoroshikereba
if you don’t mind
「お忙しいところ
oisogashii tokoro
at (a) busy time
申し訳ございませんが……」。
moushiwake gozaimasenn ga
I’m sorry to bother you but
何らかの行動を
nannraka no koudou wo
(a) favor (of)
お願いする
onegai suru
(you) ask
「~していただけますか」
- shite itadakemasuka
- shite itadakemasuka
依頼形を
irai kei wo
in (the) form of (a) request
使いましょう。
tsukai mashou.
put (it)
依頼形は
irai kei ha
(a) formal request
印象を
innshou wo
a[n] impression
相手を
aite wo
(the) person (you’re talking to)
尊重して
sonnchou shite
with respect
応対している
outai shiteiru
(you) are treating
伝わります。
tsutawari masu.
shows
電話番号
dennwa banngou
phone numbers
情報を
jyouhou wo
information
伝える
tsutaeru
(you) convey
気遣いの
kidukai no
courteous
一言を
hitokoto wo
language
たとえば、
tatoeba,
for instance
申し上げます。
moushiage masu.
(I)’ll tell (you)
よろしいですか」
yoroshii desu ka
are you ready ?
相手が
aite ga
(the) person
用意ができている
youi ga dekite iru
is ready
確認します。
kakuninn shimasu.
confirm
かけ直す
kake naosu
(arranging) to call (a person) back
お電話いたします」
odennwa itashimasu
(I)’ll call (him/her)
言います。
iimasu.
(you) should say
話す
hanasu
(you want to) talk to
相手の
aite no
(the) person
都合のよい
tsugou no yoi
convenient
時間を
jikan wo
(a) time (for)
確認しておくと
kakuninn shite oku to
to confirm
なおよいでしょう。
nao yoi deshou.
(it)’s best
相手に
aite ni
for (the) person
メッセージを
messe-ji wo
(a) message
「お手数です
otesuu desu
sorry to bother you
伝言を
denngonn wo
(a) message
お願いしても
onegai shite mo
pass on
よろしいでしょうか」
yoroshii deshou ka
could you ?