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.
The standard, formal term for an answering machine. Literally 'absence telephone'.
Please leave a message on the answering machine.
I bought a new answering machine.
Common abbreviation of 留守番電話, used in everyday conversation.
You had a message on your answering machine.
I forgot to check the answering machine.
A more technical term, literally 'telephone answering device'. Rarely used in daily speech.
The telephone answering device broke down.
Referring to a network-based voicemail system rather than a physical machine.
The action of recording a message on an 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.
Please check your voicemail.