I can start a phone call and say I'll call back, ask for the Wi-Fi password, and send a message — and call for help if something goes wrong, and understand a sign that warns of danger.
The phone, messages — and what to shout in an emergency
The phone, messages — and what to shout in an emergency
Making a call, letting someone know, asking for a password, and calling for help — you'll need all this before you can talk about yourself.
Calls. 「もしもし」 is said only on the phone, never to greet someone in person, unlike English “hello”. A call starts with a set phrase: 「もしもし、田中（たなか）ですが、小林（こばやし）さんをおねがいします。」 Your own name gets no さん. Then 「今（いま）、大丈夫（だいじょうぶ）ですか。」 (is this a good time to talk) and 「また電話（でんわ）します。」 (I'll call back).
Messages: 「メッセージを送ります（おくります）。」, 「写真（しゃしん）を送ります。」 What you send it with takes the familiar particle で, like English “by”: 「メールで送ります。」, 「アプリで送ります。」 To ask for a password: 「Wi-Fiのパスワードは何（なん）ですか。」
Danger. What you shout is short: 「助けて（たすけて）！」, 「危ない（あぶない）！」, 「火事（かじ）！」, 「地震（じしん）！」 These are set signals; learn them whole. To call an ambulance: 「救急車（きゅうきゅうしゃ）を呼んで（よんで）ください。」 — also a set phrase.
Numbers: 110 is the police, 119 is fire and ambulance — not 911. The signs to recognize at a glance are in the second table.
Common mistakes:
• NOT もしもし in person → こんにちは in person
• NOT 助けて！ when you need a little help → 貸して（かして）ください, 教えて（おしえて）ください
• NOT メッセージがおくります → メッセージをおくります
Set phrases for the phone
Replace ～ with your own name or with the last name of the person you're asking for.
| Situation | What to say | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| you pick up or make a call | もしもし | hello (on the phone only) |
| say who you are | ～ですが、… | this is ～ … |
| ask to speak to someone | ～さんをおねがいします | may I speak to ～, please |
| you didn't catch it | もういちどおねがいします | please say that again |
| you end the call | しつれいします | goodbye (polite) |
Danger signs
They're written in kanji — recognize the whole sign, like a picture.
| Sign | Reading | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 立入禁止 | たちいりきんし | don't go past the barrier |
| 危険 | きけん | keep away |
| 工事中 | こうじちゅう | repairs or construction — go around |
| 非常口 | ひじょうぐち | exit in case of fire or earthquake |
Lesson notes
The phone, messages — and what to shout in an emergency
Making a call, letting someone know, asking for a password, and calling for help — you'll need all this before you can talk about yourself.
Calls. 「もしもし」 is said only on the phone, never to greet someone in person, unlike English “hello”. A call starts with a set phrase: 「もしもし、田中（たなか）ですが、小林（こばやし）さんをおねがいします。」 Your own name gets no さん. Then 「今（いま）、大丈夫（だいじょうぶ）ですか。」 (is this a good time to talk) and 「また電話（でんわ）します。」 (I'll call back).
Messages: 「メッセージを送ります（おくります）。」, 「写真（しゃしん）を送ります。」 What you send it with takes the familiar particle で, like English “by”: 「メールで送ります。」, 「アプリで送ります。」 To ask for a password: 「Wi-Fiのパスワードは何（なん）ですか。」
Danger. What you shout is short: 「助けて（たすけて）！」, 「危ない（あぶない）！」, 「火事（かじ）！」, 「地震（じしん）！」 These are set signals; learn them whole. To call an ambulance: 「救急車（きゅうきゅうしゃ）を呼んで（よんで）ください。」 — also a set phrase.
Numbers: 110 is the police, 119 is fire and ambulance — not 911. The signs to recognize at a glance are in the second table.
Common mistakes:
• NOT もしもし in person → こんにちは in person
• NOT 助けて！ when you need a little help → 貸して（かして）ください, 教えて（おしえて）ください
• NOT メッセージがおくります → メッセージをおくります