Answering the Phone

In this Unit, we will first look at expressions for answering the phone.  Please note the different expressions used when answering the phone at home and at work.

Answering the Phone At Home

Hello?

Hello, Sato residence.

Hello, Ken Sato speaking.

Ken Sato.

Yeah!  (informal)

Answering the Phone in the Office

Sato Corporation.  May I help you?

Ken Sato speaking.  May I help you?

Personnel Department.  How may I help you?

Asking a Caller Who He/She Wants to Talk to

Who do you want to talk to?

Who would you like to talk to?

Who do you wish to speak to?

Asking a Caller to identify Him/Herself

May I ask who's calling, please?

Who shall I say is calling?

Who's calling, please?

Who's calling?  (informal)

Who is it?  (informal)

Putting a Caller on Hold

Hold the line, please.

Just a moment, please.

Just a second, please.

Please hold on.

Please hold on a second.

Please hang on a second.

Hold on.  (informal)

Hold on a sec.  (informal)  (sec = short for second)

Hang on a sec.  (informal)

Examples:
 

Dialog 1:  (Jan is calling her friend, Joe)

Joe:  Hello? 

Jan:  Hello, is Joe there?

Joe:  Speaking.  Who's it?

Jan:  Joe, this is Jan.

Joe:  Oh, hi, Jan.  How are you?

Dialog 2:  (Jan is calling her friend, Joe.  Joe's wife answers the phone)

Wife:  Brown residence.

Jan:   Hello, may I speak with Joe, please?

Wife: May I ask who's calling?

Jan:  It's Jan Kato calling.

Wife: Hold on a second.

Dialog 3:  (Jan is calling her client at his office)

Receptionist:  IMB Corporation.  May I help you?

Jan:   Hello, may I speak with Mr. Tim Horton please?

Receptionist:  May I ask who's calling, please?

Jan:  Jan Kato, from Global Inc.

Receptionist:  Just a moment, please.