Polite to Stranger
Workplace · Phone
先ほどお電話を頂戴したと伺いまして、折り返しご連絡を差し上げました。 — I heard you called earlier, so I'm returning your call. (Workplace · Phone, Polite to Stranger, JLPT N3)
You
先ほどお電話を頂戴したと伺いまして、折り返しご連絡を差し上げました。
さきほどおでんわをちょうだいしたとうかがいまして、おりかえしごれんらくをさしあげました。
I heard you called earlier, so I'm returning your call.
Romaji: Sakihodo odenwa wo choudai shita to ukagaimashite, orikaeshi gorenraku wo sashiagemashita. / Reply Romaji: Wazawaza orikaeshi arigatou gozaimasu. Jitsu wa~
Reply
わざわざ折り返しありがとうございます。実は…
わざわざおりかえしありがとうございます。じつは…
Thank you for returning my call. Actually...
Gesture & etiquette
On phone, speak with calm clarity—international lines can have delay. Pause longer than usual after speaking to allow for delay. If voicemail, leave message with your name, company, callback number (slowly, twice), and brief purpose.
Returning a missed call. 「頂戴した」 humbly acknowledges receiving their attention. 「折り返し」 (return call) is the standard term. Always return international calls within business hours of the caller's timezone—mention this if calling US/EU. Have notes ready for what they may have wanted.