In
Japanese,
moshi-moshi corresponds to "
excuse me" in
English. It is used to get people's
attention, in exactly the same way
hello is used in
English. The
Japanese use it to
answer the
phone. This contrasts with the
Spanish bueno or the
French/
German hallo, which are
greetings.
Moshi-moshi, along with sumimasen, is a popular phrase for getting the attention of a stranger, because it contains elements of apology.
(picking up phone) Moshi-moshi, Jiibasu desu.
Hello, this is Jeeves.
Moshi-moshi, hankachi ga ochimashita yo.
Excuse me, you've dropped your handkerchief.
Starrynight pretty much has it right above, but moshi-moshi is a good phrase to have in your inventory for addressing strangers and for politely declaring that the building is on fire.