moshi moshi or mushi mushi?

[keymistress]

when japanese pick up the phone they usually go "moshi moshi"... but i'm unsure if it's "moshi" or "mushi"? もし or むし? or what is it exactly? can somebody let me know what is the correct word? thanks in advance!

[redfoxer]

its moshi moshi

[Daisuke]

むし means insect, i think :p

[Spaztick]

虫 - insect
無視 - disregard(ance), literally no regarding
無私 - unselfish(ness), literally no self
無死 - I would've thought it would mean something like deathless or immortal, but it's a ctually a baseball game with no outs

The many uses of mushi!

[Daisuke]

Well.. I only knew that one.. -_-'

*Leaves to study harder!*..

[keymistress]

so it is もしもし right?
actually does it have any meaning? is it just like "hello" in english?:D

[Binsento]

keymistress wrote:actually does it have any meaning? is it just like "hello" in english?:D

You can also use it when you're checking to see if anyone's in the room. It means something like: "Who's there?" / "Anybody there?"

[keymistress]

ok, got it! kinda like when you enter a room and you go "hello?" right!
thanks bisento!

[Shibakoen]

In Samurai Champloo, there's a part where Fuu and Mugen are inquiring about who's the best samurai around. They start talking to this glutton who chokes and collapses while they're talking. Fuu says "Moshi Moshi?" when the guy face-plants in front of them.

[Saishu_Heiki]

It is also used when you want someone's attention. It is like saying, "Hey!" to someone on the street.

[Mukade]

むしむし, repeated twice like this, would indicate a situation when it's very hot and humid.

今日はむしむしよね！
It's hot and sticky today, isn't it?

[Kates]

Learners, please know that 'moshi moshi' is typically used SOLELY on the telephone, though! People don't walk around Japan greeting each other by saying "moshi moshi!"... it would sound really weird. ^^

[Daichi]

Another point of interest:

Moshi moshi is used by the person making a telephone call, as well as the person receiving it. (In fact the person receiving the call will frequently answer "Hai".)

[Harisenbon]

Adam, although both people do say もしもし, only the person making the call should say it. The receiving end should say はい、だれだれです。

もし comes from the 敬語 form of 言う, 垂ｵます. When telephones were first introduced into japan, the line quality was bad, and you generally had to say things twice. Thus, it became もしもし.

or so it has been said.

[keymistress]

thanks for all the information!