Formal to Client
Workplace · Phone
ただいま担当の者に代わりますので、少々お待ちくださいませ。 — I'll transfer you to the person in charge now. Please hold for a moment. (Workplace · Phone, Formal to Client, JLPT N3)
You
ただいま担当の者に代わりますので、少々お待ちくださいませ。
ただいまたんとうのものにかわりますので、しょうしょうおまちくださいませ。
I'll transfer you to the person in charge now. Please hold for a moment.
Romaji: Tadaima tantou no mono ni kawarimasu node, shoushou omachi kudasai mase. / Reply Romaji: Hai, wakarimashita. Onegai shimasu.
Reply
はい、わかりました。お願いします。
はい、わかりました。おねがいします。
Yes, understood. Please go ahead.
Gesture & etiquette
Phone-based, but posture still matters in Japanese workplaces — sit upright, speak clearly with slightly higher pitch (perceived as more polite on phone). After saying this, press the hold button gently, never slam it.
On business phone calls, employees refer to colleagues with the humble 'mono' (one/person) instead of 'kata' (person, honorific) — colleagues are 'inside the group' so honorifics are used only for the outside party. 'Shoushou omachi kudasai mase' is the polished form of 'please wait briefly.' Always state who you are transferring to and why before putting the caller on hold.