where you are:SSG Home/the guide/the telephone
The Telephone
using the telephone | international phone calls | contact numbers
|
| USING THE TELEPHONE |
How to read a phone number:
The following number is the Shiga Prefectural Government reception desk: (077) 524-1121. Using this number as an example,
- (077) is the Area Code
- 524 is the Exchange Code
- 1121 is the Subscriber's Code.
If you are dialing a number within your own area code, you do not need to dial the area code. Therefore, if you are in the 077 area code, you would only need to dial "524-1121" to call the Shiga Prefectural Government reception desk. |
|
| PUBLIC TELEPHONES |
| Public telephones can be operated with either coins or a telephone card. Most phones make only domestic calls, however, telephones which can be used for either domestic or international calls will be specially marked in English. Telephone cards are available at automatic vending machines near public telephones, in railway stations, at NTT offices and in convenience stores. Just say "telephone kaado kudasai," and before you know it, you will be ready to dial. Cards are most commonly available in denominations of 500 and 1000 yen. |
|
| MOSHI MOSHI... WHAT THE HECK DO I SAY NEXT? |
| Hello (on the telephone) |
moshi moshi |
| This is (school/office) |
(school/office) de gozaimasu. |
| This is (your name) |
(your name) to moshimasu. |
| This is a wrong number. |
Machigai denwa desu. |
| Is (... teacher) there? |
(... sensei) irasshaimasu ka. |
| Just a moment, please. |
Shoushou omachi kudasai. |
| Right now, (... teacher) is |
Tadaima, (... sensei) wa |
in class
on holiday
in a meeting |
juugyou-chuu desu.
oyasumi desu.
kaigi-chuu desu. |
| I'll call again later. |
Nochihoto, mata denwa shimasu. |
| Could you please (have him/her) call me? |
Odenwa kudasai. |
| What is your phone number? |
Denwa bango o oshiete moraemasu ka. |
| May I leave a message? |
Dengon o onegai shimasu. |
| I understand. |
Hai, wakarimashita. |
| Thank you for your help. |
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. |
|
| WHILE YOU WERE OUT... THE ANSWERING MACHINE |
Many answering machines come built in with electronic voice messages. If possible, however, you might want to try recording your own original message. The following is an example of the standard message in Japanese:
"(your name) desu. Tadaima, dekakete orimasu. Pii to narimashitara goyouken o ohanashi kudasai."
"This is (your name). I am out right now, so please leave a message after the beep." |
|
| DOMESTIC CALLS |
In most cases, your host institution has had a telephone line installed for you prior to your arrival in Japan. NTT is the nationalized carrier of domestic telephone calls in Japan. The bill will come to your home each month and can be paid at the local convenience store or bank, or you can have your bills paid by direct withdrawl from your bank account. NTT provides an English Information Network (06-313-1010) where an English- speaking assistant can answer questions regarding calling options, installation, moving and billing.
There is another domestic telephone carrier, Nihon Telecom (0088), which offers a 13% discount on long-distance domestic calls. For assistance in English, call 0088-22-1059, or look for the flyer at most train stations with "0088" written on the top. You must first apply to access this service. Then, simply dial 0088 before any number outside of your area code. This bill will also be sent to your home, and can be paid at the local convenience store or bank.
|
|
|
|
|
emergency
international phone calls