Phone English: Polite Phrases for Calls (with Tamil, Telugu & Hindi Meanings)

By Jhansi D Mohan, English & Communication Coach · 10 October 2026

Meanings in:

Phone calls in English can feel harder than talking face to face, because you can't see the other person. These polite, simple phrases will help you answer calls, ask questions and end calls confidently, whether it's the school, the bank or the gas agency.

Answering the phone

English	தமிழில்తెలుగులోहिंदी में
Hello, this is Priya speaking.	ஹலோ, நான் பிரியா பேசுகிறேன்.హలో, నేను ప్రియ మాట్లాడుతున్నాను.हैलो, मैं प्रिया बोल रही हूँ।
May I know who's calling, please?	யார் பேசுகிறீர்கள் என்று தெரிந்துகொள்ளலாமா?ఎవరు మాట్లాడుతున్నారో తెలుసుకోవచ్చా?क्या मैं जान सकती हूँ कि कौन बोल रहे हैं?
How can I help you?	உங்களுக்கு நான் எப்படி உதவலாம்?మీకు నేను ఎలా సహాయం చేయగలను?मैं आपकी क्या मदद कर सकती हूँ?

Tip: "Who is speaking?" or "Tell me" can sound rude in English. "May I know who's calling?" and "How can I help you?" are much more polite.

Making a call (school, bank, gas agency)

English	தமிழில்తెలుగులోहिंदी में
Hello, I'm calling about my gas booking.	ஹலோ, என் கேஸ் புக்கிங் பற்றி அழைக்கிறேன்.హలో, నా గ్యాస్ బుకింగ్ గురించి ఫోన్ చేస్తున్నాను.हैलो, मैं अपनी गैस बुकिंग के बारे में फ़ोन कर रही हूँ।
Could I speak to the class teacher, please?	வகுப்பு ஆசிரியருடன் பேச முடியுமா?క్లాస్ టీచర్‌తో మాట్లాడవచ్చా?क्या मैं क्लास टीचर से बात कर सकती हूँ?
My customer number is 4 5 2 7.	என் வாடிக்கையாளர் எண் 4 5 2 7.నా కస్టమర్ నంబర్ 4 5 2 7.मेरा कस्टमर नंबर 4 5 2 7 है।

When you can't hear or understand

English	தமிழில்తెలుగులోहिंदी में
Sorry, I can't hear you clearly. Could you speak a little louder?	மன்னிக்கவும், சரியாகக் கேட்கவில்லை. கொஞ்சம் சத்தமாகப் பேச முடியுமா?క్షమించండి, సరిగ్గా వినిపించడం లేదు. కొంచెం గట్టిగా మాట్లాడగలరా?माफ़ कीजिए, ठीक से सुनाई नहीं दे रहा। क्या आप थोड़ा ज़ोर से बोल सकते हैं?
Could you please repeat that?	மீண்டும் சொல்ல முடியுமா?మళ్లీ చెప్పగలరా?क्या आप दोबारा बता सकते हैं?
Could you spell that for me, please?	அதை எழுத்துக்கூட்டிச் சொல்ல முடியுமா?దాని స్పెల్లింగ్ చెప్పగలరా?क्या आप उसकी स्पेलिंग बता सकते हैं?
The line isn't clear. Can I call you back?	லைன் சரியில்லை. நான் திரும்ப அழைக்கட்டுமா?లైన్ సరిగ్గా లేదు. నేను మళ్లీ ఫోన్ చేయనా?लाइन साफ़ नहीं है। क्या मैं आपको दोबारा फ़ोन करूँ?

Taking a message

English	தமிழில்తెలుగులోहिंदी में
He's not at home right now. Can I take a message?	அவர் இப்போது வீட்டில் இல்லை. ஏதாவது சொல்ல வேண்டுமா?ఆయన ఇప్పుడు ఇంట్లో లేరు. ఏమైనా చెప్పాలా?वे अभी घर पर नहीं हैं। कोई संदेश देना है?
Please hold on for a moment.	ஒரு நிமிடம் காத்திருங்கள்.ఒక్క నిమిషం ఆగండి.कृपया एक मिनट रुकिए।

Ending the call

English	தமிழில்తెలుగులోहिंदी में
Thank you for your help.	உதவிக்கு நன்றி.సహాయానికి ధన్యవాదాలు.मदद के लिए धन्यवाद।
Thank you for calling. Have a nice day!	அழைத்ததற்கு நன்றி. நல்ல நாளாக அமையட்டும்!ఫోన్ చేసినందుకు ధన్యవాదాలు. మీ రోజు బాగుండాలి!फ़ोन करने के लिए धन्यवाद। आपका दिन शुभ हो!

How to practise

Write down three phrases you'll need this week. Before your next call, read them aloud once. After the call, notice which ones you used. That's real progress!

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