전화을 주다

You combine the noun 전화 (phone/call) with the verb 주다 (to give). In casual speech, you can drop the particle 를 to say 전화 주다. To make it a request, you say 전화 주세요. If you are promising to call a friend, use 전화 줄게. It is a very flexible phrase that fits into almost any sentence structure.

Use this when you want to stay in touch. It is perfect for ending a meeting with a colleague. You can use it when you arrive at a destination and want to let someone know. It is also the standard way to ask for a callback from a customer service representative. If you are texting a friend and want to talk, this is your go-to phrase.

Do not use 주다 when talking to someone much older or higher in rank. In those cases, 주다 sounds a bit too casual or even slightly demanding. You should also avoid it if you are describing the act of calling a random stranger. For very formal business settings where you are the 'lower' party, switch to the humble version. Also, do not use it if you are literally handing someone a physical phone device!

Korea has a very fast-paced 'Pali-Pali' (hurry-hurry) culture. Being reachable by phone is considered a sign of respect and reliability. While texting is huge, 'giving a call' is still seen as more personal. It shows you are willing to dedicate your immediate time to that person. Interestingly, saying 'I will give you a call' is sometimes a polite way to say goodbye, even if the call doesn't happen immediately.

The most common variation is the humble form 전화를 드리다. You use this with bosses, teachers, or elders. Another common one is 전화 줘, which is the short, punchy version for close friends. You might also hear 연락 주세요, which means 'please contact me' and is slightly broader than just a phone call.