moshi: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowInformal, Slang
Quick answer
What does “moshi” mean?
A greeting used at the beginning of a telephone call, originating from Japanese 'moshi moshi'.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A greeting used at the beginning of a telephone call, originating from Japanese 'moshi moshi'.
An informal, often playful, greeting used in digital communication or to mimic a Japanese telephone mannerism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and non-standard in both varieties. No significant difference in usage patterns.
Connotations
Carries connotations of Japanese pop culture, anime, or a deliberate attempt to sound cute or quirky.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in online communities centered around Japanese media.
Grammar
How to Use “moshi” in a Sentence
[Speaker] + moshi + moshi?Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Never used.
Academic
Never used, except perhaps as a linguistic example of borrowing.
Everyday
Virtually never used in general everyday English. Usage is niche and marked.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “moshi”
- Using it in formal situations.
- Believing it is a standard English word.
- Spelling it as 'moshie' or 'moshee'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not a standard English word. It is a direct borrowing from the Japanese telephone greeting 'moshi moshi', used in English only for specific stylistic or cultural effect.
Absolutely not. It is highly informal and culturally marked. Use standard greetings like 'Dear...' or 'Hello'.
It is a common telephone greeting, roughly equivalent to 'hello?'. Its etymology is thought to come from 'mōsu' (to say), meaning 'I say, I say'.
Primarily for playful or stylistic reasons, often within communities interested in Japanese pop culture (anime, manga, games) to create an authentic or humorous tone.
A greeting used at the beginning of a telephone call, originating from Japanese 'moshi moshi'.
Moshi is usually informal, slang in register.
Moshi: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmɒʃiː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmɑːʃiː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Moshi moshi (as a repeated phrase for telephone greeting)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a MOUSE saying 'Moshi' on the phone to its friend in Japan.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS CULTURAL IMPORT.
Practice
Quiz
The word 'moshi' in English is best described as: