Phone Etiquette

Question

Hello,

I will need to make professional phone calls in Spanish for my work and I am wondering about polite ways to address someone when you call. What would be the best way to ask if someone is home and available to talk?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Nathaniel said:

¿Está disponible El Señor/La Señorita/La Señora ___|\___|_? - Is Mr./Ms./Mrs ___|\___|_ available? ¿Se encuentra El Señor/La Señorita/La Señora ___|\___|\__? - Basically, is Mr./Ms./Mrs. \___|\___|_ there?

Nathaniel, when referring to third parties with a title in Spanish, the definite article must be used.

In addition to the above suggestions...

When you identify yourself (This is [name]), you say "Habla [nombre]," using the third-person conjugation.

"With whom am I speaking" is "¿Con quién hablo'"

In a business setting, a more formal (buy very common) expression is "¿Me puede comunicar con [nombre]'" or "¿Me puede comunicar con la extension 123'"

"May I leave him/her a message'" is "¿Puedo dejarle un mensaje'" (I think recado is used for message in Spain)

Let us know what other specific phrases you need.

Answer 2

¿Está disponible Señor/Señorita/Señora ___|\___|_? - Is Mr./Ms./Mrs ___|\___|_ available?
¿Se encuentra Señor/Señorita/Señora ___|\___|\__? - Basically, is Mr./Ms./Mrs. \___|\___|_ there'

Answer 3

Buenas tardes - Good afternoon
Buenos días - Good morning
Buenas noches - Good evening
¿Podría hablar con el/la Señor/Señorita/Señora ___|? - May I speak with Mr/Ms/Mrs \___| ?
¿Me permite hacerle algunas preguntas? - May I ask you a few questions'