In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'answer the phone'.
- Uses 'jie' (receive) and 'dianhua' (telephone).
- Works for landlines, mobiles, and office phones.
Meaning
This phrase is the standard way to say 'pick up the phone' or 'answer the call'. It is what you shout to a roommate when their phone is ringing or what you say when someone is ignoring your calls.
Key Examples
3 of 6Telling a roommate to answer their buzzing phone
你的手机响了，快接电话！
Your phone is ringing, answer it quickly!
A boss asking an assistant to handle a call
请帮我接一下电话。
Please help me answer the phone.
Texting someone who isn't picking up
你怎么不接电话？我在楼下。
Why aren't you answering? I'm downstairs.
Cultural Background
The phrase dates back to the early 20th century when telephones first arrived in Chinese cities. While 'electric speech' (电话) sounds poetic, it is now just the standard word for phone. In modern China, answering a call promptly is often seen as a sign of respect, especially in business.
Soften the blow
Add `一下` (yīxià) after `接` to make it sound like 'answer real quick' rather than a demand.
The 'Wei' Factor
When you actually `接电话`, the first thing you should say is `喂?` (wéi), which is the universal Chinese phone greeting.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to say 'answer the phone'.
- Uses 'jie' (receive) and 'dianhua' (telephone).
- Works for landlines, mobiles, and office phones.
What It Means
接电话 (jiē diànhuà) is a simple, everyday phrase. The first word 接 means to catch, receive, or connect. The second part 电话 literally means 'electric speech'—which is the Chinese word for telephone. When you put them together, you are 'receiving the call'. It is the most natural way to describe the act of answering a ringing phone.
How To Use It
You can use it as a command, a question, or a statement. If your friend's phone is buzzing on the table, just say 接电话吧. If you are busy and want someone else to grab it, you can say 帮我接个电话 (Help me answer the phone). It is very flexible. You can add a person's name in front to make it a direct request. It works perfectly in both physical conversations and text messages.
When To Use It
Use this anytime a phone is actually ringing or vibrating. It is perfect for home life when the delivery driver is calling. It is also great in the office when a colleague is away from their desk. You might even use it when you are frustrated. If you have called someone five times and they haven't picked up, you might text them: 为什么不接电话？ (Why aren't you answering?). It covers every scenario from a casual chat to an urgent emergency.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are talking about making a call. That would be 打电话. Also, do not use it for 'answering' a text message. For texts, you should use 回信息 (return a message). If you are in a very formal ceremony, you probably shouldn't be talking about phones at all! But generally, this phrase is safe everywhere. Just don't use it if the communication is face-to-face.
Cultural Background
In China, phone etiquette has evolved rapidly. In the past, people were very formal on the phone. Today, things are much faster. Most people answer with a simple 喂 (wéi). The phrase 接电话 has stayed the same since the landline era. Interestingly, because everyone uses WeChat now, you might hear 接语音 for a voice call. But 接电话 remains the 'king' of phrases for any standard voice connection.
Common Variations
You will often hear 接一下 (jiē yīxià). This makes the request sound softer and more polite. Another common one is 不接 (bù jiē), which means 'not answering' or 'declining the call'. If you are screening a call from an ex or a telemarketer, you would say 我不接. If the line cuts out, you might say 接不通 (jiē bù tōng), meaning the call won't go through.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and widely applicable. In professional settings, use '帮我接一下' to sound more collaborative.
Soften the blow
Add `一下` (yīxià) after `接` to make it sound like 'answer real quick' rather than a demand.
The 'Wei' Factor
When you actually `接电话`, the first thing you should say is `喂?` (wéi), which is the universal Chinese phone greeting.
Don't mix up verbs
Use `打` (dǎ) to make a call and `接` (jiē) to answer one. Using the wrong one will confuse people!
Examples
6你的手机响了，快接电话！
Your phone is ringing, answer it quickly!
Adding 'kuài' (fast) makes it an urgent prompt.
请帮我接一下电话。
Please help me answer the phone.
Using 'yīxià' softens the command.
你怎么不接电话？我在楼下。
Why aren't you answering? I'm downstairs.
A common way to express slight annoyance.
是推销员，我不接电话。
It's a salesperson, I'm not answering.
Shows how to use the negative form.
别接电话，可能是他。
Don't answer the phone, it might be him.
Used to build tension.
对不起，我刚才在接电话。
Sorry, I was answering a phone call just now.
Explaining a past action.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the sentence.
妈妈在___电话，你等一下。
`接` (jiē) is the specific verb used for receiving or answering a call.
How do you say 'don't answer'?
太晚了，___接电话。
`别` (bié) is used for negative commands like 'don't'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '接电话'
Shouting to a friend
接电话！
Standard daily use
他在接电话。
Polite request
请您接一下电话。
When to say 接电话
At Home
Delivery guy calling
At Work
Colleague's desk phone
Texting
Asking why they missed a call
In a Meeting
Excusing yourself to take a call
Practice Bank
2 exercises妈妈在___电话，你等一下。
`接` (jiē) is the specific verb used for receiving or answering a call.
太晚了，___接电话。
`别` (bié) is used for negative commands like 'don't'.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, although some people say 接语音 (jiē yǔyīn), 接电话 is still commonly used for any voice call.
To friends, it is fine. To a boss or elder, add 请 (qǐng) or use 接一下 to be more polite.
接 means the act of answering. 听 means to listen. You 接 the phone to 听 what they say.
You can say 没接到电话 (méi jiē dào diànhuà), which literally means 'did not successfully receive'.
No, for a door you use 开门 (kāi mén), which means 'open the door'.
Yes, it is the standard term. For example, 他在接电话，请稍等 (He is on the phone, please wait).
It usually implies someone is being ignored or 'ghosted' during an argument.
Simply text 接电话 or 接一下电话.
Not really a slang version, but people often drop the 电话 and just say 接一下 if the context is clear.
Yes, 接 can also mean to pick someone up from the airport or station, like 接朋友.
Related Phrases
打电话
To make a phone call
挂电话
To hang up the phone
回电话
To call someone back
手机响了
The phone is ringing
