01 · The challenge
Why phone Chinese is different
A phone call gives you no slides, body language, or chance to reread a sentence. You get one pass of audio, so a small set of reliable phrases matters more than a huge vocabulary.
Professional calls follow a predictable arc: open the call, state your purpose, handle unclear audio, leave a message or request a transfer, and close with a clear next step. Learn the phrases by stage and you can steer the conversation instead of guessing.
02 · Call flow
Five stages of a professional call
Opening the call
接通与开场
State your purpose
说明来意
Rescue unclear audio
听不清与澄清
Voicemail and transfers
留言、转接与等待
Close with a next step
结束通话
03 · Phrase bank
19 essential business Chinese phone phrases
Each phrase includes pinyin, an English meaning, and a practical note. Start with one phrase from each stage, then build your call toolkit.
Opening the call
您好，我是李明。
Nín hǎo, wǒ shì Lǐ Míng.
Hello, this is Li Ming.
Open a call and identify yourself.
请问王经理在吗？
Qǐngwèn Wáng jīnglǐ zài ma?
Is Manager Wang available?
Ask for a specific contact politely.
请问现在方便接电话吗？
Qǐngwèn xiànzài fāngbiàn jiē diànhuà ma?
Is now a good time to talk?
Check timing before starting.
State your purpose
我打电话是关于上次的订单。
Wǒ dǎ diànhuà shì guānyú shàngcì de dìngdān.
I’m calling about the last order.
State the purpose clearly.
我想确认一下交货时间。
Wǒ xiǎng quèrèn yíxià jiāohuò shíjiān.
I’d like to confirm the delivery time.
Verify an important detail.
有个问题想请教您。
Yǒu ge wèntí xiǎng qǐngjiào nín.
I have a question I’d like to ask.
Frame a request respectfully.
Rescue unclear audio
您能再说一遍吗？
Nín néng zài shuō yí biàn ma?
Could you say that again?
Recover when you miss something.
不好意思，我听不太清楚。
Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ tīng bú tài qīngchu.
Sorry, I can’t hear you clearly.
Put the issue on the audio.
能慢一点吗？
Néng màn yìdiǎn ma?
Could you speak a little slower?
Ask for a manageable pace.
您是说周五，对吗？
Nín shì shuō zhōuwǔ, duì ma?
You mean Friday, right?
Confirm a date or number.
麻烦您拼一下邮箱地址，好吗？
Máfan nín pīn yíxià yóuxiāng dìzhǐ, hǎo ma?
Could you spell out the email address?
Capture names, codes, and emails.
Voicemail and transfers
我给您留个言吧。
Wǒ gěi nín liú ge yán ba.
Let me leave you a message.
Offer a concise voicemail.
麻烦帮我转接一下销售部，好吗？
Máfan bāng wǒ zhuǎnjiē yíxià xiāoshòu bù, hǎo ma?
Could you transfer me to sales?
Request the right department.
我可以稍后再打过来吗？
Wǒ kěyǐ shāohòu zài dǎ guòlái ma?
Can I call back later?
When the timing is not right.
请让他给我回个电话，好吗？
Qǐng ràng tā gěi wǒ huí ge diànhuà, hǎo ma?
Could you ask him to call me back?
Request a callback.
Close with a next step
好的，我会发邮件确认。
Hǎo de, wǒ huì fā yóujiàn quèrèn.
I’ll send an email to confirm.
Create a written record.
谢谢您的时间。
Xièxie nín de shíjiān.
Thank you for your time.
Close a professional call.
那我们保持联系。
Nà wǒmen bǎochí liánxì.
Let’s keep in touch.
End warmly with an ongoing contact.
有任何问题随时联系我。
Yǒu rènhé wèntí suíshí liánxì wǒ.
Contact me any time with questions.
Leave the door open.
04 · Rescue the call
Handle unclear audio and voicemails
Do not guess when the line is unclear. Confirm what you heard, ask for a slower pace, and move important details into writing.
我再确认一下，您说的是……对吗？
Wǒ zài quèrèn yíxià, nín shuō de shì... duì ma?
Let me confirm once more — you said..., right?
A four-part voicemail
- Say your name and company.
- Give one clear reason for calling.
- Read your callback number digit by digit.
- Thank the listener and request a callback.
05 · Practical habits
Make every call clearer
Confirm key details
Repeat dates, amounts, names, and quantities aloud before the call ends.
Signal when you take notes
请稍等，我记一下。
Qǐng shāoděng, wǒ jì yíxià. — One moment, let me note that down.
Follow up in writing
Send a short email after decisions so both sides share the same record.
Use a clear next step
Say who will do what and when, then close with thanks.
Practice before the real call
Role-play forces you to work without visual cues. Rehearse a client call, recover from unclear audio, confirm a delivery date, and get feedback on clarity and tone.
Practice real business call scenarios in ChineseContinue learning
FAQ: Business Chinese phone phrases
What are the most useful business Chinese phone phrases for beginners?
Start with one phrase for each stage: 您好，我是... for opening, 我打电话是关于... for purpose, 您能再说一遍吗？ when you miss something, and 谢谢您的时间 when closing.
How do I handle a call when I cannot hear clearly in Chinese?
Do not guess. Say 不好意思，我听不太清楚, ask 您能再说一遍吗？, then repeat the detail back with 对吗？ Confirming is professional.
How do I leave a voicemail in Chinese?
Use four parts: your name and company, why you called, your callback number read digit by digit, and a polite close. Keep the message to about 20 seconds.
How do I end a phone call professionally in Chinese?
Confirm the next step with 好的，我会发邮件确认, thank the person with 谢谢您的时间, and state when you will follow up.
How is phone Chinese different from meeting or email Chinese?
A call gives you only real-time audio. That makes confirmation, buffering, and rescue phrases more important than in written communication.
Can I practice phone phrases with AI role-play?
Yes. Role-play makes you recover without visual cues, handle natural-speed replies, and receive feedback on clarity, phrase choice, and tone.