Formal to Superior
Workplace · Phone
You
ただいま外出中です。戻り次第、ご連絡差し上げるようお伝えします。
ただいまがいしゅつちゅうです。もどりしだい、ごれんらくさしあげるようおつたえします。
He is currently out of the office. I'll let him know to contact you as soon as he returns.
Romaji: Tadaima gaishutsu-chuu desu. Modori shidai, gorenraku sashiageru you otsutae shimasu. / Reply Romaji: Hai, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu. Watakushi wa [name] to moushimasu.
Reply
はい、よろしくお願いいたします。私は○○と申します。
はい、よろしくおねがいいたします。わたしは○○ともうします。
Yes, please. My name is [name].
Gesture & etiquette
(Phone) Write down name, company, number, and reason for call immediately. Confirm by reading back: 'Onamae wa [name]-sama, odenwa bangou wa [number] de yoroshii deshou ka?' End politely: 'Odenwa itadaki, arigatou gozaimashita.'
Never say when exactly someone will return unless you are certain — if they are late back, it creates embarrassment. 'Modori shidai' (as soon as they return) is a safe, standard phrase. Always take the caller's name and number to ensure a reliable callback.