Translation guide
A device that records telephone messages when you cannot answer. In Japanese, the most common way to refer to this is 留守番電話 (rusuban denwa), often shortened to 留守電 (rusuden) in casual speech.
Referring to the physical machine or its function.
The standard, formal term for an answering machine. Literally 'absence telephone'.
留守番電話にメッセージを残してください。
Please leave a message on the answering machine.
新しい留守番電話を買った。
I bought a new answering machine.
Common abbreviation of 留守番電話, used in everyday conversation.
留守電入ってたよ。
You had a message on your answering machine.
留守電を聞くの忘れてた。
I forgot to check the answering machine.
A more technical term, literally 'telephone answering device'. Rarely used in daily speech.
電話応答装置が故障した。
The telephone answering device broke down.
Referring to a network-based voicemail system rather than a physical machine.
Specifically a voicemail service provided by a phone carrier.
留守番電話サービスに加入していますか？
Are you subscribed to a voicemail service?
Loanword from English 'voicemail'. Commonly understood, especially for mobile phones.
ボイスメールを確認してください。
Please check your voicemail.
The action of recording a message on an answering machine.
General phrase for 'leave a message', not limited to answering machines.
留守番電話に伝言を残しました。
I left a message on the answering machine.
Casual way to say 'leave a message', literally 'put in a message'.
留守電にメッセージ入れといたよ。
I left a message on your answering machine.
留守電 (rusuden) is very common in spoken Japanese. You can use it with friends and family without sounding too informal.
The literal translation '応答機械' (outou kikai) is not used in Japanese. Stick to 留守番電話 or 留守電.