電話に出る
Denwa ni deru
Answer the phone
Phrase in 30 Seconds
Use {電話|でんわ}に{出|で}る to describe the act of picking up a ringing phone to talk to the caller.
- Means: To answer a phone call (literally 'to come out to the phone').
- Used in: Home, office, or when your mobile rings in public.
- Don't confuse: Use {電話|でんわ}を{掛|か}ける to make a call, not to answer one.
Explanation at your level:
뜻
To pick up a ringing telephone and respond.
문화적 배경
New employees are often expected to be the first to answer the phone. This is called 'denwa-ban' (phone watch). It is considered a way to learn the names of clients and practice polite language. On trains, there are signs asking passengers to set their phones to 'manner mode' (silent) and refrain from talking. Answering a phone on a train is a major social faux pas. When answering a landline at home, Japanese people often say 'Hai, [Family Name] desu' instead of 'Hello'. 'Moshimoshi' is also common but slightly less formal. Younger Japanese people increasingly prefer texting (LINE) over calling. Answering a phone call unexpectedly can be seen as 'denwa-hara' (phone harassment) if it interrupts someone's focus.
The 'Two-Ring' Rule
In Japan, aim to answer by the second ring to show professional respect.
Particle Trap
Never use 'wo' with 'deru' in this context. It's always 'ni'.
뜻
To pick up a ringing telephone and respond.
The 'Two-Ring' Rule
In Japan, aim to answer by the second ring to show professional respect.
Particle Trap
Never use 'wo' with 'deru' in this context. It's always 'ni'.
Moshimoshi
Only say 'Moshimoshi' after you have answered. Don't use it in business; use 'Hai, [Company Name] desu'.
셀프 테스트
Choose the correct particle to complete the sentence: {電話|でんわ}（ ）{出|で}る。
{電話|でんわ}（ ）{出|で}る。
The verb {出|で}る (to appear/exit) takes the particle {に|に} when referring to the phone you are answering.
Fill in the blank with the potential form of {出|で}る (can answer).
{忙|いそが}しくて{電話|でんわ}に（ ）。
To say 'cannot answer', you use the potential negative form {出|で}られません.
Complete the dialogue.
A: {電話|でんわ}が{鳴|な}っていますよ。 B: すみません、{今|いま}（ ）。
B is volunteering to answer the ringing phone, so {出|で}ます is the correct choice.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Which phrase is best for: 'I missed a call because I was sleeping'?
This correctly uses the potential negative to explain the inability to answer.
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시각 학습 자료
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Yes! {玄関|げんかん}に{出|で}る or {インターホン|いんたーほん}に{出|で}る is also correct.
No, it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'ni'.
'Deru' is more general and common. 'Toru' is more physical and common in offices.
You can say '{電話中|でんわちゅう}です' or '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}ています'.
It comes from the historical need to 'exit' a room to go to where the phone was located.
Yes, it is becoming common to use '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}る' or '{会議|かいぎ}に{出|で}る' for digital calls.
You say '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}られなかった' (I couldn't answer).
It is neutral/casual. In formal business, it is better to avoid it and use 'Hai'.
{早|はや}く{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}て！
Yes, especially in offices and older households, so this phrase remains very relevant.
관련 표현
{電話|でんわ}を{掛|か}ける
contrastTo make a phone call.
{電話|でんわ}を{取|と}る
similarTo pick up the phone.
{電話|でんわ}を{切|き}る
contrastTo hang up the phone.
{電話|でんわ}を{代|か}わる
builds onTo switch people on the phone.
{留守番電話|るすばんでんわ}
similarAnswering machine / Voicemail.
어디서 쓸까?
At the Office
Colleague: {電話|でんわ}が{鳴|な}っていますよ。
You: はい、{今|いま}{出|で}ます！
At Home with Family
Child: お{父|とう}さん、{電話|でんわ}だよ！
Father: ちょっと{待|ま}って、{今|いま}{出|で}るから。
On a Date
Date: {電話|でんわ}、{出|で}なくていいの？
You: うん、あとでいいよ。
In a Quiet Library
Friend: {電話|でんわ}に{出|で}ちゃダメだよ。
You: わかってる、{外|そと}に{行|い}くね。
Driving a Car
Passenger: {電話|でんわ}に{出|で}る？
Driver: いや、{運転中|うんてんちゅう}だから{出|で}られない。
Job Interview (Hypothetical)
Interviewer: {仕事中|しごとちゅう}に{私用|しよう}の{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}ますか？
Candidate: いいえ、{緊急|きんきゅう}の{時|とき}{以外|いがい}は{出|で}ません。
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of the phone as a 'door' to another person. You have to 'go out' ({出|で}る) through that door to meet them.
Visual Association
Imagine a tiny version of yourself literally stepping out of your ear to stand on top of your smartphone when it rings.
Rhyme
Ringu ga naru (Ring goes), Denwa ni deru (Answer the phone).
Story
You are sitting in a quiet room. Suddenly, a bell rings from the hallway. You have to 'exit' your cozy room to 'appear' at the phone. That's why you use 'deru' (to exit/appear).
Word Web
챌린지
Next time your phone rings, say '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}ます' out loud before you swipe to answer.
In Other Languages
To answer the phone
English focuses on the response; Japanese focuses on the physical presence at the device.
Contestar el teléfono
Spanish uses a transitive verb with 'the phone' as the direct object.
Répondre au téléphone
The logic of 'responding' vs 'appearing' is the main conceptual gap.
Ans Telefon gehen
German uses 'to go' while Japanese uses 'to come out/appear'.
الرد على الهاتف
Arabic is more abstract, focusing on the act of replying.
接电话 (jiē diànhuà)
Chinese focuses on 'receiving' while Japanese focuses on 'appearing'.
전화를 받다 (jeonhwareul batda)
Korean uses the object particle 'reul' (wo), whereas Japanese uses 'ni'.
Atender o telefone
The verb 'atender' has a nuance of 'serving' which Japanese lacks.
Easily Confused
Learners use this for both making and answering calls.
{電話|でんわ}をする usually means 'to make a call' or 'to be on the phone'. It doesn't specifically mean the act of answering.
Direct translation of 'answer'.
Only use {答|こた}える for questions or exams.
자주 묻는 질문 (10)
Yes! {玄関|げんかん}に{出|で}る or {インターホン|いんたーほん}に{出|で}る is also correct.
No, it is grammatically incorrect. Always use 'ni'.
'Deru' is more general and common. 'Toru' is more physical and common in offices.
You can say '{電話中|でんわちゅう}です' or '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}ています'.
It comes from the historical need to 'exit' a room to go to where the phone was located.
Yes, it is becoming common to use '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}る' or '{会議|かいぎ}に{出|で}る' for digital calls.
You say '{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}られなかった' (I couldn't answer).
It is neutral/casual. In formal business, it is better to avoid it and use 'Hai'.
{早|はや}く{電話|でんわ}に{出|で}て！
Yes, especially in offices and older households, so this phrase remains very relevant.
