Correct way to ask, Who's calling?

Question

Cuando una persona llama en el teléfono, es correcto preguntar ¿departe de quién?, sí o no?

The translator doesn't give the answer what I expect.

¡Gracias por la ayuda!

¿De parte de quién? - samdie, Aug 23, 2010

Gracias! - remcleaney, Aug 23, 2010

Answer 1

Welcome to the forum

Well, this depends, if you are going to give a message to somebody, departe de quién?

But if you want to know who is calling: ¿Quién llama?

Would it be 'departe' or 'de parte'? - Nathaniel, Aug 24, 2010

two words, (on the part of whom?) 'departe' means 'departed' - margaretbl, Aug 24, 2010

Answer 2

I think it might depend upon the place in the spanish-speaking world in which you live. Here in Murcia (peninsular Spain) it´s very brusque, almost incourteous but they answer the telephone with ¡Digame! if you´re lucky or ¡Dime! if they´re feeling very informal. They are not really impolite and it is widely accepted. Pretty much the same in the shops too. Never ¿Qué desea? or ¿En qué puedo servirle? More likely ´Dime or Digame´ Ah well, they are exceptionally kind people though

Is that rude? Maybe I've picked up some bad language practices since spending time in Madrith. I mean Madrid ;-) - wenc3, Aug 24, 2010

No one here would consider that rude. If you picked up some bad language practices in Madrid, Murcia could top that anyday. It is very rough spanish! - MaureenPeters, Aug 25, 2010

Answer 3

I always hear and use "¿Quién habla?" When asking who calling.

Another one I hear at times is "¿Con quién hablo?", which translates to "To whom am I speaking?"

I live in Mexico.

Answer 4

Wow, I worked in an office in Barcelona for three years and everyone answered the phone with 'Digame' - I don't see it as rude or brusque, it is the Vd format and I don't think it's less courteous than saying 'hello'. Some people started with 'Buenos días, digame...' but I certainly would not think it was rude.