Master Key Words, Phrases, and Cultural Tips for Making Phone Calls in Korea (전화)

In Korea, making and receiving phone calls (전화) is a daily part of life—whether it’s for ordering food, setting appointments, or making formal business calls. Understanding common Korean 전화 어휘 (phone-related vocabulary) and 표현 (expressions) helps you navigate both casual and professional conversations with confidence.

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☎️ Must-Know Korean Phone Call Vocabulary

Korean	Pronunciation	English
전화	jeon-hwa	Phone call
핸드폰 / 휴대폰	haen-deu-pon / hyu-dae-pon	Mobile phone
스마트폰	seu-ma-teu-pon	Smartphone
전화번호	jeon-hwa-beon-ho	Phone number
통화	tong-hwa	Call (in progress)
부재중 전화	bu-jae-jung jeon-hwa	Missed call
음성 메시지	eum-seong me-se-ji	Voicemail
문자 / 문자 메시지	mun-ja / mun-ja me-se-ji	Text message
벨소리	bel-so-ri	Ringtone
진동	jin-dong	Vibration
수신자	su-sin-ja	Receiver
발신자	bal-sin-ja	Caller
스팸 전화	seu-paem jeon-hwa	Spam call
전화를 받다	jeon-hwa-reul bat-da	To answer a call
전화를 걸다	jeon-hwa-reul geol-da	To make a call

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📲 Useful Phone-Related Verbs & Phrases in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
전화하다	jeon-hwa-ha-da	To call
통화 중이다	tong-hwa jung-i-da	The line is busy
전화를 끊다	jeon-hwa-reul kkeun-ta	To hang up
다시 전화하다	da-si jeon-hwa-ha-da	To call again
음성 메시지를 남기다	eum-seong me-se-ji-reul nam-gi-da	To leave a voicemail
전화를 돌리다	jeon-hwa-reul dol-li-da	To transfer the call
잘 안 들려요	jal an deul-ryeo-yo	I can’t hear you well
신호가 안 가요	sin-ho-ga an ga-yo	The call isn’t going through
전화를 잘못 걸었어요	jeon-hwa-reul jal-mot geol-eoss-eo-yo	I dialed the wrong number

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🗣️ Common Expressions During Phone Calls in Korean

Korean	Pronunciation	English
여보세요?	yeo-bo-se-yo?	Hello? (on the phone)
누구세요?	nu-gu-se-yo?	Who is this?
___ 씨 계세요?	___ ssi gye-se-yo?	Is ___ there?
잠시만 기다려 주세요	jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo	Please hold for a moment
다시 말씀해 주세요	da-si mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo	Please say that again
지금 통화 가능하세요?	ji-geum tong-hwa ga-neung-ha-se-yo?	Are you available to talk now?
메시지 남겨 주세요	me-se-ji nam-gyeo ju-se-yo	Please leave a message
나중에 다시 전화할게요	na-jung-e da-si jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo	I’ll call back later
끊겠습니다	kkeun-ket-seum-ni-da	I’ll hang up now (formal)
좋은 하루 되세요	jo-eun ha-ru doe-se-yo	Have a nice day

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📌 Korean Phone Call Etiquette & Cultural Tips

🎙️ Use Polite Language

• Always use 존댓말 (polite speech) during phone calls, especially with strangers, elders, or professionals.

🕐 Be Mindful of Time

• Avoid calling early in the morning or late at night unless it’s urgent.
• Business calls are usually made during working hours (9am–6pm).

🔕 Text First?

• In casual situations, texting 먼저 문자 보내기 (sending a message first) is common before calling.
• Especially true for 카톡 (KakaoTalk) users.

📵 Answering Calls in Public

• Keep phone calls short in subways or buses.
• Use 진동 모드 (vibration mode) in public places.

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🔊 Bonus Vocabulary: Call Settings & Apps

Korean	Pronunciation	English
통화 기록	tong-hwa gi-rok	Call history
스피커폰	seu-pi-keo-pon	Speakerphone
자동 응답기	ja-dong eung-dap-gi	Auto-responder
통화 연결음	tong-hwa yeon-gyeol-eum	Call waiting tone
수신 차단	su-sin cha-dan	Call blocking
전화 앱	jeon-hwa aep	Phone app
카카오톡 전화	ka-ka-o-tok jeon-hwa	KakaoTalk call
영상통화	yeong-sang-tong-hwa	Video call

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🎯 Vocabulary Quiz

1. What’s the Korean word for “missed call”?
2. Translate: “Please hold for a moment.”
3. What does “전화를 걸다” mean?

💬 Drop your answers in the comments below! Want to practice roleplaying phone conversations? Let us know!

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