Formal to Client
Workplace · Phone
You
ただいま担当者に代わります。少々お待ちください。
ただいまたんとうしゃにかわります。しょうしょうおまちください。
I'll connect you to the person in charge now. Please hold just a moment.
Romaji: Tadaima tantōsha ni kawarimasu. Shōshō omachi kudasai. / Reply Romaji: Hai, onegaishimasu.
Reply
はい、お願いします。
はい、おねがいします。
Yes, please.
Gesture & etiquette
Press hold only after confirming the caller's willingness to wait; when the colleague picks up, briefly whisper the caller's name and topic before handing over; return with '大変お待たせいたしました' (Thank you very much for holding) if any delay occurred.
Always explain what's happening before placing someone on hold — silence without explanation reads as dismissiveness. If the transfer takes longer than 30 seconds, check back: '只今確認しております。今少々お待ちください。' (Still confirming, just a moment more.) If the person is unavailable, offer to take a message: 'よろしければご伝言を承りましょうか？'