전화을 마시다
jeonhwa-eul masida
To 마시다 전화
Littéralement: To drink a phone call (Commonly confused with 'To receive a phone call')
En 15 secondes
- Used for answering or picking up any phone or video call.
- Combines '전화' (phone) and '받다' (to receive/get).
- Avoid using '마시다' (drink) or '먹다' (eat) with phone calls.
- Works for landlines, smartphones, and apps like KakaoTalk or Zoom.
Signification
Cette phrase décrit l'acte de recevoir un appel téléphonique. C'est la manière standard et naturelle de dire que vous répondez au téléphone.
Exemples clés
3 sur 10In a quiet library
도서관이라서 지금 전화를 못 받아요.
I'm in the library, so I can't answer the phone right now.
Texting a friend who isn't picking up
야, 내 전화 좀 빨리 받아!
Hey, answer my call quickly!
At a business meeting
중요한 전화가 와서 잠시 받고 오겠습니다.
An important call is coming in, so I'll go take it for a moment.
Contexte culturel
In Korea, phone etiquette is a blend of traditional hierarchy and modern hyper-connectivity. The phrase `전화를 받다` reflects a culture where communication is seen as a 'receiving' of the other person's intent, requiring respect. Historically, answering the phone was a family affair where the youngest would dash to the landline, but today, with the highest smartphone penetration in the world, the 'receiving' happens everywhere from the subway to the mountain tops, though often hushed in public to avoid 'nuisance' (min-pae).
The 'Taking' Logic
English speakers want to say 'Take a call'. In Korean, just remember: calls are gifts, and you 'receive' (받다) them. Never 'take' (취하다) them!
Avoid 'Drinking' the Phone
Never say `전화를 마시다`. It sounds like you are literally trying to swallow your smartphone. People might offer you water instead of the phone!
En 15 secondes
- Used for answering or picking up any phone or video call.
- Combines '전화' (phone) and '받다' (to receive/get).
- Avoid using '마시다' (drink) or '먹다' (eat) with phone calls.
- Works for landlines, smartphones, and apps like KakaoTalk or Zoom.
What It Means
Ever wonder why you can't 'take' a phone call in Korea like you take a bus or take a seat? If you try to translate 'take a call' too literally, you might end up saying something like 전화를 마시다, which literally means 'to drink the phone.' Unless you’re a robot with a very specific thirst, that’s going to get you some very confused looks! The real, natural way to say you're picking up the phone is 전화를 받다. This phrase is the bread and butter of Korean communication, used from the moment your phone buzzes in your pocket to the second you say 여보세요 (hello).
What It Means
At its heart, 전화를 받다 is about the act of receiving. The word 전화 (jeon-hwa) means 'telephone' or 'phone call,' and 받다 (bat-da) means 'to receive' or 'to get.' When these two come together, they describe that specific moment you swipe right on your screen or pick up the receiver. It’s not just about the physical action; it’s about acknowledging the person on the other end. Whether it's a FaceTime from your mom or a notification from a delivery driver, you are 'receiving' their attempt to connect. It feels more passive than 'making' a call, but it’s the essential second half of any conversation. Without someone to 받다, the phone just rings into the void.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is as simple as checking your notifications. You’ll mostly see it paired with the object marker 를, making it 전화를 받다. In casual speech with friends, you’ll say 전화 받아! (Answer the phone!) or 나 전화 좀 받을게 (I’m going to take this call). If you’re at work or talking to someone older, you’ll upgrade to 전화를 받으세요 or the even more polite 전화를 받으셨어요?. The beauty of this phrase is its versatility. You can use it in the past tense (전화를 받았어요 - I answered the phone) or the negative (전화를 못 받았어요 - I couldn't answer the phone) when you want to apologize for missing a call while you were in the shower or watching Netflix.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine you’re sitting in a crowded café in Gangnam, and your phone starts blasting your favorite K-pop song. You look at your friend and say, 잠깐만, 전화 좀 받을게 (Hold on, I need to take this call). Or maybe you’re waiting for a crucial Uber Eats delivery, and the driver calls because they can’t find your apartment. You tell your roommate, 배달부 전화 받았어? (Did you get the delivery driver's call?). Even in the digital age of KakaoTalk and Slack, 전화를 받다 remains the standard. We use it for Zoom calls, WhatsApp audio, and even those annoying 'Unknown Number' calls that we usually decide *not* to receive. It covers any real-time voice connection you can think of.
When To Use It
You should reach for this phrase whenever a voice or video call is incoming. It’s perfect for social situations where you need to excuse yourself ('Let me answer this real quick'). It’s also the standard way to describe your habits—like telling your boss, 'I always answer the phone within three rings' (저는 전화를 세 번 울리기 전에 받아요). If you see a 'Missed Call' notification on your iPhone, you’d say 못 받은 전화 (a call I couldn't receive). It’s the formal, informal, and neutral way to describe the start of a conversation. Basically, if it rings and you pick it up, you are 받다-ing that 전화.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this phrase when *you* are the one initiating the call. For that, you need 전화를 걸다 (to hang/make a call) or 전화하다 (to phone). Also, don't use it for text messages! You don't 전화를 받다 a KakaoTalk message; you 'check' it (확인하다) or 'receive' it (받다 - but usually as 문자 or 메시지). And most importantly, avoid our 'drinking' mistake! You never 'drink' (마시다) or 'eat' (먹다) a call. In English, we might 'swallow' our words, but in Korean, we don't consume our telecommunications. Keep the liquids in your cup and the calls in your ear.
Common Mistakes
Learners often trip up by trying to use verbs from their own language.
전화를 마시다
✓전화를 받다 (You aren't thirsty for phone signals!)
전화를 들다
✓전화를 받다 (While 'pick up' works in English, 들다 just means to physically lift the device.)
전화를 취하다
✓전화를 받다 (Trying to use 'take' literally doesn't work here.)
Another classic error is forgetting the particle 를. While you can drop it in fast speech (전화 받아), using the wrong particle like 전화가 받다 makes it sound like the phone is the one doing the receiving. Unless your phone is sentient and taking its own calls, stick to 전화를!
Similar Expressions
If you want to sound even more like a local, you can use 통화하다 (tong-hwa-ha-da), which means 'to be on the phone' or 'to have a conversation.' While 전화를 받다 is the act of picking up, 통화 중이에요 means 'I’m currently talking on the phone.' Another one is 전화 오다 (a call is coming). When your phone vibrates on the table, you can shout, 전화 온다! (A call is coming!). If you want to be formal, 응답하다 (to respond) is used in technical contexts or on apps, but it’s a bit too 'Star Trek' for a casual chat with friends.
Common Variations
The phrase changes its 'outfit' depending on who you're talking to.
전화 받아(Casual: 'Pick up!')전화 받아요(Polite: 'Answer the phone.')전화 받으셨어요?(Honorific: 'Did you receive the call?')전화 안 받아?(Casual: 'Aren't you picking up?')전화 받을 수 있어?(Casual: 'Can you talk right now?')
Modern tech has added some spice, too. People might say 보이스톡 받아 (Pick up the VoiceTalk) when calling via KakaoTalk. Even though the app is different, the verb 받다 stays the same. Consistency is king in Korean collocations!
Memory Trick
Think of a phone call as a physical gift being handed to you. In Korean, when you receive a gift, you use the word 받다. A phone call is just a 'gift of conversation' from a friend. You wouldn't try to 'drink' a gift (마시다), and you wouldn't just 'lift' it (들다) without opening it. You simply 'receive' it with both hands (figuratively) and say thank you! Just remember: Presents and Phones both need 받다.
Quick FAQ
Is 전화를 받다 only for landlines? Nope! It’s used for smartphones, apps, and even old-school rotary phones. Does it work for video calls? Absolutely, it’s the standard for FaceTime and Zoom too. Why can't I say 'Take a call'? Because in Korean logic, 'take' implies grabbing or consuming, while 'receive' implies a social exchange. What if I want to ignore a call? Then you 전화를 씹다 (literally 'chew the call' - very slangy!). How do I say 'I'll take the call later'? Say 나중에 받을게. Is it okay to answer with just 'Yeah'? Only with close friends; otherwise, stick to 여보세요 or 네.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and can be used in almost any setting. Remember that '받다' is a versatile verb, but with '전화', it creates a fixed collocation that cannot be replaced by '먹다' (eat) or '마시다' (drink) without sounding nonsensical.
The 'Taking' Logic
English speakers want to say 'Take a call'. In Korean, just remember: calls are gifts, and you 'receive' (받다) them. Never 'take' (취하다) them!
Avoid 'Drinking' the Phone
Never say `전화를 마시다`. It sounds like you are literally trying to swallow your smartphone. People might offer you water instead of the phone!
Particle Dropping
In fast, casual conversations, Koreans almost always drop the `를`. `전화 받아!` is much more common than `전화를 받아!` among friends.
Yeoboseyo Etiquette
When you `전화를 받다`, the standard first word is `여보세요`. It's a contraction of 'look here' but acts as a neutral 'Hello?'.
Exemples
10도서관이라서 지금 전화를 못 받아요.
I'm in the library, so I can't answer the phone right now.
A very common polite excuse used when you can't talk.
야, 내 전화 좀 빨리 받아!
Hey, answer my call quickly!
The casual '받아' is used with close friends or siblings.
중요한 전화가 와서 잠시 받고 오겠습니다.
An important call is coming in, so I'll go take it for a moment.
A professional way to excuse yourself from a meeting.
풍경 보느라 전화를 못 받았네 🌿
I missed your call because I was looking at the scenery 🌿
Using the past tense '받았네' to explain a missed connection.
모르는 번호지만 배달일까 봐 전화를 받았어요.
It was an unknown number, but I answered it thinking it might be the delivery.
Common scenario in modern Korea with delivery services.
✗ 목이 말라서 전화를 마셨어요 → ✓ 벨이 울려서 전화를 받았어요.
✗ I was thirsty so I drank the phone → ✓ The bell rang so I answered the phone.
Highlights the humor of using '마시다' instead of '받다'.
부장님, 아까 전화를 못 받아서 죄송합니다.
Manager, I'm sorry I couldn't answer your call earlier.
Standard apology in a corporate setting.
✗ 전화를 먹고 있어요 → ✓ 전화를 받고 있어요.
✗ I am eating the phone → ✓ I am answering the phone.
Another literal translation mistake to avoid.
엄마 전화를 안 받으면 큰일 나요.
If I don't answer Mom's call, I'm in big trouble.
Relatable situation for many learners!
화면은 보이지만 소리가 안 들려요. 전화를 다시 받을게요.
I see the screen but can't hear you. I'll answer the (re-initiated) call again.
Used even for digital meetings and VoIP calls.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct verb.
In Korean, you 'receive' (받다) a call. '마셨어요' (drank) and '먹었어요' (ate) are incorrect.
Find and fix the error in the sentence.
You cannot 'drink' (마시다) a phone call. Use '받다' (to receive) instead.
Choose the most natural sentence for a business situation.
This uses the honorific form '받으셨습니까' which is appropriate for formal/business contexts.
Fill in the blank with the correct object.
The bell is ringing, so you should answer the 'phone' (전화).
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
How to Answer Based on Formality
Talking to friends or siblings
전화 받아!
Daily interactions or polite strangers
전화 받으세요.
Business settings or elders
전화를 받으시겠습니까?
When do you '전화를 받다'?
Food Delivery
배달부 전화 받았어?
Work Office
부장님 전화 받으세요.
Social Media
인스타 보이스톡 받아!
At Home
엄마 전화 온다. 받아.
Gaming
디스코드 전화 받아!
Call Actions: Receive vs. Make vs. End
Common Phone Phrase Categories
Successful
- • 전화를 받다
- • 통화하다
- • 연결되다
Unsuccessful
- • 전화를 못 받다
- • 부재중 전화
- • 전화를 씹다
Banque d exercices
4 exercices친구가 전화를 해서 제가 ___. (I answered the call because my friend called.)
In Korean, you 'receive' (받다) a call. '마셨어요' (drank) and '먹었어요' (ate) are incorrect.
Trouvez et corrigez l erreur :
회의 중이라서 전화를 마실 수 없어요.
You cannot 'drink' (마시다) a phone call. Use '받다' (to receive) instead.
This uses the honorific form '받으셨습니까' which is appropriate for formal/business contexts.
벨이 울려요. ___를 받으세요!
The bell is ringing, so you should answer the 'phone' (전화).
🎉 Score : /4
Tutoriels video
Trouve des tutoriels vidéo sur YouTube pour cette expression.
Questions fréquentes
18 questionsYes, even though Zoom isn't a traditional 'phone,' the verb 받다 is universally used for answering any incoming voice or video call. It has expanded from landlines to all modern digital communication platforms.
The confusion comes from the English verb 'take.' While 'take' can mean 'drink' in some contexts (like taking medicine), in Korean, those are completely different verbs. Using 마시다 (drink) with a phone makes no sense because a phone isn't a liquid.
You can use the present continuous form: 전화를 받고 있어요. This is useful if someone asks what you're doing while you're fumbling with your headset or swiping the screen.
전화를 받다 refers specifically to the act of answering the call (the moment it connects). 통화하다 refers to the entire duration of the conversation while you are actually talking. You 받다 the call to start 통화-ing.
Yes, a very common slang is 전화를 씹다 (literally 'to chew the call'). It's quite blunt and informal, implying that you saw the call but chose to ignore it completely.
Instead of a casual 여보세요, you should answer with 네, [Your Name]입니다. This identifies you immediately and shows that you are ready to receive their instructions or information in a professional manner.
You can say 문자를 받다 (to receive a text), but it's more common to say 문자가 오다 (a text came) or 문자를 확인하다 (to check a text). 전화를 받다 is strictly for real-time calls.
This is the term you'll see on your phone screen for a 'Missed Call.' It literally means 'a call while you were not present.' You would use 전화를 못 받았다 to describe this situation later.
While people do 전화를 받다 on the subway, it is polite to keep your voice very low or tell the person 지하철이라 나중에 전화할게 (I'm on the subway, I'll call you later) to avoid disturbing others.
If you said 전화를 마셨어요, don't worry! Koreans will realize you're a learner and likely find it adorable or hilarious. Just quickly correct yourself to 받았어요 and everyone will understand.
Yes, any communication device where you have to 'accept' an incoming signal uses 받다. This includes radios, intercoms, and even doorbell systems where you pick up a handset to talk to a visitor.
You can say 내가 대신 받을게. The word 대신 means 'instead' or 'on behalf of.' This is common if your friend is driving or has their hands full and their phone starts ringing.
Often people say 여보세요? 여보세요? if they can't hear the other person clearly. It's a way of checking if the connection is stable after they have already 전화를 받다-ed.
Yes, the basic vocabulary for phone calls is largely the same in both the North and South. The verb 받다 for receiving is a core part of the Korean language that predates the division of the peninsula.
Just like in English, it's a 'Spam Call.' If you see a suspicious number, you might say 스팸 전화 같아서 안 받았어요 (I didn't answer because it looked like a spam call).
들다 means to lift something physically. While you might physically lift a phone, it doesn't mean 'answering the call.' If you say 전화를 들었어요, it sounds like you are just holding the phone in the air.
You would use the casual form: 전화 받아!. You can add 빨리 (fast) to show urgency. It's a very common command in Korean households when the home phone or a child's cell rings.
No, the verb stays the same. Whether it's audio only or a full 4K video stream, you are still 'receiving' the call. You might specify 영상 통화를 받다 if you want to be extra clear it was a video call.
Expressions liées
전화를 걸다
antonymTo make a phone call
This is the active counterpart to receiving; you use '걸다' (to hang/make) when you are the one dialing.
통화하다
related topicTo talk on the phone
This describes the ongoing state of the conversation that happens after you answer the phone.
전화를 끊다
antonymTo hang up the phone
This is the necessary final step of any call; once you are done receiving, you must 'cut' (끊다) the connection.
부재중 전화
related topicMissed call
This is the technical term for a call that was not received (받지 못한) by the user.
전화를 씹다
informal versionTo ignore a call
A very slangy way to describe the intentional act of not answering a call when you are able to.
