Formal to Client
Workplace · Phone
You
少々お待ちください。ただいま担当者にお繋ぎいたします。
しょうしょうおまちください。ただいまたんとうしゃにおつなぎいたします。
Please hold just one moment. I will connect you to the person in charge right now.
Romaji: Shoushou omachi kudasai. Tadaima tantousha ni otsunagi itashimasu. / Reply Romaji: Hai, yoroshiku onegai itashimasu.
Reply
はい、よろしくお願いいたします。
はい、よろしくおねがいいたします。
Yes, thank you.
Gesture & etiquette
After saying this, press hold immediately — do not leave the caller connected as you talk to colleagues about who should take the call. When the transfer is accepted, briefly inform the receiving colleague of the caller's name and reason: 'OO-sama kara OO no ken de odenwa desu' (A call from [Name] about [matter]). Never transfer a call without this briefing.
When transferring a call in Japanese business, always announce the hold and the transfer action before putting the caller on hold — surprising callers with silence is considered poor service. 'Otsunagi itashimasu' (I will humbly connect you) uses the humble form of 'tsunagu' (to connect). Always keep hold time brief — if there is a delay, return to inform the caller: 'Mou shou omachi itadakemasu ka?' (May I ask you to hold a little longer?).