留守番電話(るすばんでんわ)

るすばんでんわ
noun
answering machine; voicemail
technologycommunication
See also: 留守電(るすでん) (abbreviation)
1. answering machine; voicemail
A device or service that automatically answers phone calls and records messages when the recipient is unavailable. In modern usage, often refers to the voicemail function on mobile phones.
留守番電話(るすばんでんわ)にメッセージを残(のこ)した。
I left a message on the answering machine.
電話(でんわ)に出(で)られないときは留守番電話(るすばんでんわ)に切(き)り替(か)わります。
When I can't answer the phone, it switches to voicemail.
留守番電話(るすばんでんわ)を確認(かくにん)したら、病院(びょういん)からのメッセージが入(はい)っていた。
When I checked my voicemail, there was a message from the hospital.

Etymology

留守番(るすばん) (house-sitting, looking after the house while someone is out) + 電話(でんわ) (telephone). Literally "house-watching telephone" — a phone that answers on your behalf while you are away.

Forms

Often shortened to 留守電(るすでん) in casual speech.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 不在着信(ふざいちゃくしん) (missed call)
general
Added 2026.3.8 22:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
15500/15878_rusubandenwa