# Word usage

**URL:** <https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224>\
**Category:** Japanese Language\
**Created:** [February 18, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224 "2019-02-18T16:38:45Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![JAACK](https://cdck-file-uploads-global.s3.dualstack.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/wanikanicommunity/original/3X/f/d/fd4c154120954695f788402f3bcf4e616499bc2d.png) [@JAACK](https://community.wanikani.com/u/JAACK)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/1 "2019-02-18T16:38:46Z")

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is moshimoshi used on the phone only?

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**Author:** ![tmninja](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/wanikanicommunity/user_avatar/community.wanikani.com/tmninja/32/630078_2.png) [@tmninja](https://community.wanikani.com/u/tmninja)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/2 "2019-02-18T16:41:12Z")

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Usuallly. Check out this article:

> **[Why Do Japanese People Say Moshi Moshi on the Phone?](https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/moshi-moshi/)**
>
> Learn how to say hello on the telephone in Japanese (more than just moshi moshi), the history of the phrase, and how to avoid evil fox magic.

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**Author:** ![seanblue](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/wanikanicommunity/user_avatar/community.wanikani.com/seanblue/32/579844_2.png) [@seanblue](https://community.wanikani.com/u/seanblue)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 4:43pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/3 "2019-02-18T16:43:29Z")

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FYI, you can ask quick questions like this here: [The quick or short Language Questions Thread (not grammar)](https://community.wanikani.com/t/the-quick-or-short-language-questions-thread-not-grammar/27773)

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**Author:** ![YukiPhoenix](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/wanikanicommunity/user_avatar/community.wanikani.com/yukiphoenix/32/458505_2.png) [@YukiPhoenix](https://community.wanikani.com/u/YukiPhoenix)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 5:53pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/4 "2019-02-18T17:53:08Z")

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Saying yes to it only being used on the phone seems inaccurate based on that article. That article says it’s also used to get somebody’s attention even when you’re not on the phone.

> You’re not going to use moshi moshi off the phone too much. But when you do it’ll usually be to get someone’s attention. If your friend is spacing out, you can wave your hand in front of their face and say, “moshi moshi.”
> 
> Or, if you see someone passed out on the sidewalk, you can tap their shoulder and say, “moshi moshi!”

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**Author:** ![tmninja](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/wanikanicommunity/user_avatar/community.wanikani.com/tmninja/32/630078_2.png) [@tmninja](https://community.wanikani.com/u/tmninja)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2019, 5:58pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/5 "2019-02-18T17:58:02Z")

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Huh, guess I didn’t read the whole thing carefully enough.

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**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/wanikanicommunity/original/4X/6/2/a/62a8b0f4c59ff2c5b6651ffcf43531480b3e5297.png) [@system](https://community.wanikani.com/u/system)\
**Post date:** [February 18, 2020, 6:08pm UTC](https://community.wanikani.com/t/word-usage/35224/6 "2020-02-18T18:08:08Z")

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Closed on February 18, 2020, 6:08pm UTC

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