German - Phone Messages

Kann ich mit ___ sprechen?

Can I speak to ___?

Meaning: Can I speak to ___?

When to use: Use this neutral question when you want to speak with a specific person on the phone.

Hier ist ___.

This is ___.

Meaning: This is ___.

When to use: Say this to identify yourself at the start of a phone call.

Wer spricht bitte?

Who's calling, please?

Meaning: Who's calling, please?

When to use: A polite way to ask who is on the line before transferring or answering fully.

Ist ___ da?

Is ___ there?

Meaning: Is ___ there?

When to use: A casual, common way to ask if someone is available by phone.

Tip: Beginners sometimes use the formal word order by mistake; casual calls often use this shorter form.

___ kann gerade nicht ans Telefon.

___ is not available right now.

Meaning: ___ is not available right now.

When to use: Use this to tell a caller that the person they want can't answer at the moment.

Kann ich etwas ausrichten?

Can I take a message?

Meaning: Can I take a message?

When to use: Offer this politely when someone you are calling for is not available.

Könntest du ___ bitten, mich zurückzurufen?

Could you ask ___ to call me back?

Meaning: Could you ask ___ to call me back?

When to use: Use this to request that the person you speak with passes on a request for a callback.

Tip: Remember that the person asked is in the accusative: 'meinen Chef' or 'meine Mutter.'

Meine Nummer ist ___.

My number is ___.

Meaning: My number is ___.

When to use: Use this to give your phone number when leaving a message.

Entschuldigung, ich habe mich verwählt.

Sorry, I have the wrong number.

Meaning: Sorry, I have the wrong number.

When to use: Say this politely if you realize you dialed the wrong number.

Ich rufe später nochmal an.

I'll call back later.

Meaning: I'll call back later.

When to use: Use this to tell someone you'll try again at a later time.

Ich möchte eine Nachricht hinterlassen.

I'd like to leave a message.

Meaning: I'd like to leave a message.

When to use: Say this when you want to leave a message for someone who is not available.

Die Nachricht ist: ___.

The message is ___.

Meaning: The message is ___.

When to use: Use this when dictating or stating the content of the message exactly.

Sag ___ bitte, dass ich angerufen habe.

Please tell ___ I called.

Meaning: Please tell ___ I called.

When to use: Ask someone to pass along the simple information that you called.