Formal — to stranger
Workplace · Phone
お忙しいところ恐れ入ります。株式会社◯◯の田中と申しますが、営業部の鈴木様はいらっしゃいますでしょうか。 — I'm sorry to interrupt while you're busy. This is Tanaka from ◯◯ Corporation. Is Mr. Suzuki from the sales department available? (Workplace · Phone, Formal — to stranger, JLPT N4)
You
お忙しいところ恐れ入ります。株式会社◯◯の田中と申しますが、営業部の鈴木様はいらっしゃいますでしょうか。
おいそがしいところおそれいります。かぶしきがいしゃ◯◯のたなかともうしますが、えいぎょうぶのすずきさまはいらっしゃいますでしょうか。
I'm sorry to interrupt while you're busy. This is Tanaka from ◯◯ Corporation. Is Mr. Suzuki from the sales department available?
Romaji: Oisogashii tokoro osore irimasu. Kabushikigaisha ◯◯ no Tanaka to moushimasu ga, eigyou-bu no Suzuki-sama wa irasshaimasu deshou ka. / Reply Romaji: Hai, shoushou omachi kudasai mase. Tantousha ni okakeshimasu.
Reply
はい、少々お待ちくださいませ。担当者にお繋ぎします。
はい、しょうしょうおまちくださいませ。たんとうしゃにおつなぎします。
Yes, please wait a moment. I'll connect you to them.
Gesture & etiquette
Phone-based. Sit upright. Speak with slightly higher pitch and clear enunciation — perceived as more polite over phone. Have your purpose ready so when transferred, you don't pause and waste their time. End with a brief 'arigatou gozaimasu' to the receptionist.
When initiating a business call, the opening sequence is: apology preamble → your company + name → request to speak with a specific person. 'Osore irimasu' (excuse me) is gentler than 'sumimasen' for business contexts. Address the person you want to speak with using '-sama' (more formal) rather than '-san' (standard polite). Wait patiently while the receptionist transfers you.