moshi moshi

What Does Moshi Moshi Mean in Japanese

The greeting “moshi moshi” (もしもし) does not actually mean “hello.” This expression is thought to be derived from the verb 申す (もうす) which means “to speak.” Although 申す is a humble verb and would normally only be used in situations where the speaker is trying to lower their social status, もしもし is actually a casual expression used when a friend or family member calls you up on the phone.