Phone phrases are the common expressions people use to talk on the phone. This includes making calls, answering calls, leaving messages, and more. Knowing these phrases can help you feel confident in any phone situation.
Making a Call
Making a call means using the phone to talk to someone. People usually start by greeting, stating their name, and saying why they are calling.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hi, this is [Name]. | Introduce yourself at the start of the call. |
| Can I speak to [Name], please? | Ask to talk to a specific person. |
| I’m calling about [topic]. | Explain the reason for your call. |
| Could you please hold for a moment? | Ask someone to wait on the line briefly. |
| I’ll call back later. | Say you will call again at another time. |
| Is now a good time to talk? | Check if the other person is available. |
| Please leave a message. | Ask the sender to leave a message. |
| I need to make a quick call. | Say you only have a short time to talk. |
| Could you repeat that? | Ask someone to say something again. |
| Thank you for your help. | Say thanks before ending the call. |
Answering the Phone
Answering the phone means picking up when it rings. People usually greet and ask who is calling.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hello, this is [Name]. | Identify yourself when you answer. |
| Good morning/afternoon. | Greet politely based on the time. |
| How can I help you? | Ask why the caller is calling. |
| One moment, please. | Ask the caller to wait briefly. |
| I’ll connect you now. | Say you are transferring the call. |
| Sorry, [Name] is not available. | Inform that the person is busy or away. |
| Can I take a message? | Offer to write down a message. |
| Who’s calling, please? | Ask for the caller’s name. |
| Thank you for calling. | Say thanks when answering. |
| I’ll pass the message along. | Promise to give the message to someone. |
Leaving a Voicemail
Voicemail is a recorded message you leave when no one answers the phone. You should speak clearly and leave your name and reason for calling.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| Hi, this is [Name]. | Start by saying who you are. |
| I’m calling about [topic]. | State the reason for your call. |
| Please call me back at [number]. | Leave your phone number for a return call. |
| Sorry I missed your call. | Apologize for not answering. |
| Leave your message after the tone. | Instruction given before starting the recording. |
| I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. | Promise to return the call quickly. |
| Thanks for your time. | Politely end the message. |
| If you have any questions, call me. | Offer to provide more information. |
| My number is [number], again, [number]. | Repeat your phone number for clarity. |
| Have a great day! | End the message on a friendly note. |
You’re leaving a voicemail. How do you start?
Hi, this is [Name].
Starting a voicemail with 'Hi, this is [Name].' introduces who is leaving the message. The other phrases are used later in the voicemail or in automated systems, not at the very beginning.
Ending a Call
Ending a call means politely finishing the conversation. People usually say thanks and say goodbye.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| Thank you for your time. | Express gratitude before ending. |
| I appreciate your help. | Say thanks for assistance. |
| That’s all for now. | Indicate the conversation is finished. |
| I’ll talk to you soon. | Say you expect to speak again. |
| Have a great day! | Wish the other person well. |
| Goodbye! | A polite way to end the call. |
| Take care! | A friendly way to say goodbye. |
| If you need anything, call me. | Offer further help. |
| I’ll send you an email. | Mention any follow-up communication. |
| Thanks again. Bye! | A casual way to finish. |
How do you politely end the call with a friendly goodbye?
Take care!
'Take care!' is a friendly way to say goodbye at the end of a call. The other phrases are for making calls, leaving voicemails, or handling customer service issues, so they are not appropriate for ending a conversation.
Handling Customer Service Calls
Customer service calls are when you talk to a company for help. It’s important to be polite and clear about your problem.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| I’m having an issue with [product/service]. | Describe the problem you need help with. |
| Can you help me, please? | Politely ask for assistance. |
| My order number is [number]. | Provide information to identify your order. |
| How long will this take? | Ask about the expected time for resolution. |
| I’d like to speak to a supervisor. | Request to talk to a higher-level employee. |
| Thank you for your patience. | Acknowledge the agent’s help. |
| Could you explain that again? | Politely ask for more details. |
| The problem started on [date]. | Give more context for your issue. |
| Is there a reference number? | Ask for a tracking ID for the call. |
| I’ll follow up if needed. | Indicate you will call again if the issue continues. |
Common Phone Phrases
Here are some more phrases you might hear or use during phone conversations.
| English Example | English Explanation |
|---|---|
| Sorry, I didn’t catch that. | Say you didn’t hear or understand clearly. |
| Could you speak more slowly? | Ask the caller to slow down. |
| I’m afraid [Name] is not available. | Politely inform that the person is busy. |
| The line is busy. | The person you’re calling is on another call. |
| Please hold the line. | Ask the caller to wait on the phone. |
| Can I call you back? | Ask if you can return the call later. |
| I’m returning your call. | Say you are calling back someone. |
| We got disconnected. | The call was cut off unexpectedly. |
| Is this a good time to talk? | Check if the caller is free to talk. |
| Just a moment, please. | Ask the caller to wait briefly. |
Phone phrases help you navigate any telephone situation, from casual chats to important business calls. Practice these to speak confidently and clearly on the phone.
You've been cut off in the middle of a call. What do you say?
We got disconnected.
'We got disconnected.' is used when the call ends unexpectedly due to technical issues. Other phrases relate to checking availability, indicating misunderstanding, or asking for slower speech, which do not describe disconnection.
Flashcards (1 of 60)
- English Example: Hi, this is [Name].
- English Explanation: Introduce yourself at the start of the call.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
