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How to Say ‘I'm calling to confirm the details.’ in Japanese

内容を確認したくてお電話しました。

naiyou o kakunin shi taku te o denwa shi mashi ta

[NAI-yoh wo kakunin shee taku teh oh den-wah shee mah-shee tah]

🇯🇵 In Japan: This is a standard, polite way to open a call to a restaurant. Staff will usually ask for your name and reservation date right after.

Phrase Breakdown

内容を確認したくて

naiyou o kakunin shi taku te

Because I wanted to confirm the details

This part gives the reason for calling. たくて means 'because I wanted to'.

Example

予約の内容を確認したくて。

I wanted to confirm the reservation details.

Words in this phrase

内容

naiyou

[NAI-yoh]

contents; details

The details or substance of something, such as a reservation.

Example

予約の内容を教えてください。

Please tell me the details of the reservation.

を

[wo]

direct object marker

Marks the direct object of a verb.

Example

本を読む。

Read a book.

確認

kakunin

[kakunin]

confirmation; checking

Used for confirming or checking details like a booking, email, or ticket information.

Example

確認をお願いします。

Please confirm it.

し

shi

[shee]

do (stem)

Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.

Example

注文をお願いし、ます。

I would like to place the order, please.

たく

taku

[taku]

want to

Expresses desire to do something.

Example

行きたくなる。

Want to go.

て

[teh]

and; -te form

A linking form used to connect verbs to following grammar, such as progressive or polite forms.

Example

仕事を探している人と話しました。

I spoke with a person who is looking for work.

お電話しました。

o denwa shi mashi ta

I called.

This is the humble, polite form of 'I phoned'. It is common at the start of business calls.

Example

ご相談があってお電話しました。

I called because I have something to discuss.

Words in this phrase

お

[oh]

honorific/polite prefix

A polite prefix that makes a word sound more refined or respectful.

Example

おすすめのおは、ことばを丁寧にします。

The o in osusume makes the word more polite.

電話

denwa

[den-wah]

telephone; phone

Used for phone calls or phone contact information.

Example

電話番号もお願いします。

Your phone number as well, please.

し

shi

[shee]

do (stem)

Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.

Example

注文をお願いし、ます。

I would like to place the order, please.

まし

mashi

[mah-shee]

polite past marker (part of ました)

「まし」 is part of 「ました」, the polite past tense. It makes the question polite (common in medical settings).

Example

さっきはきましたか。

Did you vomit a moment ago?

た

[tah]

past tense ending

This ending completes the polite past tense form.

Example

空席がございました。

There were vacant seats.

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