Leaving a Message with Someone on the Phone

If you make a business phone to someone, sometimes the people you want to talk will be out at the moment, then you can leave a message with the people who pick up the phone. We know how to make a phone in Chinese, how can we leave a message with someone on the phone in Chinese?

Generally speaking, to let the staff who picks up your phone know who is calling, the telephone number are two most important factors to leave a message. Besides, you can also tell what matters you want to talk. When you tell the staff your name, and telephone number, it is better to speak loudly and slowly.

So when the staff ask “我可以帮你捎个口信吗？” (it means “Can I take a message?”), then you can tell the staff what matter you want to talk, or say “您能转告他给我回电话吗？” (it means “Could you ask him to ring me back?”)…

After you tell the matter, the staff may say “您能告诉我您的姓名和电话号码吗？” – it means “May I have your name and telephone number, please?” then speak your name and telephone as loudly and slowly as you can.

However, after you tell the staff your name and telephone number, he may have not catch it, if you hear he say “您能重复一下电话号码吗？” (It means “Could you repeat the number, please?”), then you can say the number again.

But if someone doesn’t ask me to leave a message, how can I ask him to take a message for me? You can say “Can you take a message for me?” (It means “您可以给我捎个口信吗？”). Besides, after you tell the matter, your name or your telephone number, you can confirm “您有我的电话号码和姓名了吗？” It means “Have you got my telephone number and name?”

Now, have any idea to leave a message in Chinese? 

Make Business Phone Calls in Chinese

Business phone calls are very important in daily business. If you are doing business with Chinese or going to set up business with China, then you may make telephones to Chinese many. Can I we speak English with the Chinese people? The answer is yes. However, some of the Chinese are not very good at English, if you speak Chinese with the Chinese, it will be much easier to understand. So, how to make a business phone call? Here is an example (If you want to make a call to Mr.Li in ABC company.)

First, when you dial the number, after the phone connected, you can say “您好，这是ABC 公司吗？” it means - “Is this ABC company?” in English. Then, if the staff says “是的，这是ABC 公司。” – It means – “Yes, this is ABC company.”

Then you can continue to say “我找一下李先生， 他在吗？” – it means “I am after Mr. Li. Is he in?”.

If the staff says “不是” ( it means no), or “您打错了” (You had dialed a wrong number.), then you can say “不好意思。” (Sorry.)

After you said you are after Mr. Li, below 3 situations are the most we may have:

1.      Mr. Li is in the office, then the staff may say “在的，请稍等。” (Yes, he is in the office, please hold on.) – Then you can hold on the phone and wait to speak to Mr. Li.

2.      Mr. Li is not in the office, the staff may say “他不在，请问您是哪一位？” it means “He is not in the office, may I ask who is calling?” Then you can say your name and leave a message to Mr. Li, or say “你能请他回来就给我回电话吗?” (it means “Could you please ask him to call me as soon as he gets back?”) And remember, tell the staff your name and telephone number.

3.      If Mr. Li is picking up the phone, then Mr. Li may say “我是李先生，请问您是哪一位？” it means “Mr. Li Speaking, may I ask who is calling?” Then you can tell him your name and start your business call.