The busy streets of Tokyo, the serenity of cherry blossoms, or maybe even the smell of sushi are but a few things that come to mind when Japan is brought up. However, many people also add another charming aspect of Japanese culture to this list: its language, full of expressive phrases, most of which are as polite as they are poetic. Among these expressions, one has found its way into the hearts of many \u2013 the iconic greeting: \u201cMoshi moshi.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
You might have picked it up from your favorite anime, Japanese drama, or maybe even used it when speaking with your friends in Japanese. But what does \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d really mean? Is this a more discreet form of hello, or is there more to this catchy greeting? In this article, we will look at the cultural and historical background which this catchy phrase possesses!<\/p>\n\n
\u201cMoshi moshi\u201d is used very frequently in Japan when answering the phone and could be translated as \u201cHello\u201d or \u201cHi,\u201d but it\u2019s almost never used outside of phone conversations. Whereas the more general \u201ckonnichiwa\u201d or \u201cohayou gozaimasu\u201d might be acceptable in face-to-face interactions, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is what one says upon picking up the phone.<\/p>\n\n
You might ask yourself: Why would you use a special phrase, only for phone conversations? Well, the etymology of \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is quite interesting and shows some insights into Japan\u2019s cultural and technological history.<\/p>\n\n
The phrase originated in the late 19th century during the Meiji era, a time when telephones were first introduced to Japan between 1868 and 1912. In such a conservative society, especially among the samurai, communication was highly formal, using words like \u201cmousu,\u201d meaning \u201cto speak\u201d in a more modest language.<\/p>\n\n
The telephone operators and early phone users used the verb \u201cmousu\u201d to turn it into a polite phrase to initiate conversation, mostly because early phone lines were not of good quality and the callers had to confirm the fact that another person heard them. \u201cMoshi\u201d comes from the humble form \u201cmoushi,\u201d meaning \u201cto say\u201d or \u201cto speak.\u201d Repeating it twice, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d was confirmation that the call was connected.<\/p>\n\n
One of the crucial elements of \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is that it gets iterated. Why the repetition? Well, in the early days of the telephone, saying it twice was a means of making sure the connection had really been made. It was a kind of verbal checklist, as if repeating the phrase underlined clarity that both people were on the line, ready to talk.<\/p>\n\n
Repeating the word also reduces the formality of the greeting and makes it sound friendly and casual, which became a kind of rule for future use.<\/p>\n\n
As mentioned, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is mainly used in the context of answering or initiating a phone call. If someone calls you in Japan, it would sound quite natural to respond with \u201cmoshi moshi.\u201d However, there are situations that demand a more formal tone, and it would be more proper to say \u201chai,\u201d which means \u201cyes\u201d or simply \u201chello\u201d in a polite way.<\/p>\n\n
Note that \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is essentially informal, which means that if you are in a professional setting \u2013 for example, an office \u2013 or speaking with someone of higher status, the use of \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d may be too casual. In those instances, you should use a more formal greeting.<\/p>\n\n
But beyond its literal meaning, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d occupies a place in the modern Japanese mind as a sort of cultural icon for quotidian politeness. Much as \u201chello\u201d can represent friendliness in the Anglophone world, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d reflects the value placed upon clear communication and respect. It is a considerate effort to make sure the other person can hear you, a small but profound way of showing respect to the listener.<\/p>\n\n
Here\u2019s a fun fact! Japanese folklore says ghosts or spirits can never say \u201cmoshi moshi.\u201d That is, these supernatural beings are only able to utter the word \u201cmoshi\u201d once; so, if you hear it but never get the second one, beware!<\/p>\n
This folk tale is mostly told in jest, but it almost makes the common, everyday phrase a bit of a cultural superstition as well.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n
So, next time you are in the middle of a Japanese phone conversation or watching your favorite anime and hear \u201cmoshi moshi,\u201d you know there is more to it than just meeting the bare essentials of a greeting. It is enriched in history, reflecting the politeness and clarity that define Japanese communication.<\/p>\n\n
Be it for language students or anybody fascinated with Japanese culture, \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d is an interesting example of how even the most trivial words sometimes have deep cultural undertones. So, next time, why not try answering the phone with a \u201cmoshi moshi\u201d? Just make sure it\u2019s a friend on the line and not a ghost!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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