15초 만에
- To make a phone call to someone.
- Combine '전화' (telephone) with '하다' (to do).
- Use '한테' or '에게' to indicate the recipient.
뜻
This phrase simply means picking up your phone and dialing someone's number to have a conversation. It is the most common, everyday way to say 'to make a phone call' in Korean.
주요 예문
3 / 7Calling a friend to hang out
친구한테 전화를 해서 만났어요.
I called my friend and we met up.
Promising to call later
집에 가서 전화할게!
I'll call you when I get home!
Calling a boss respectfully
사장님께 전화를 드렸습니다.
I called the CEO.
문화적 배경
Korea's mobile culture is incredibly advanced, with some of the fastest internet speeds in the world. The phrase has evolved from landlines to smartphones, but the core 'doing the phone' remains. It's common for younger Koreans to use '전화하다' for voice apps like KakaoTalk Voice Talk as well.
Drop the Particle
In real life, Koreans almost never say '전화를 하다'. They just say '전화하다'. It's smoother and sounds much more like a native speaker.
Don't confuse with '통화하다'
If you say '전화하고 있어', it sounds like you are currently dialing. If you are already talking to someone, say '통화 중이에요' (I'm in the middle of a talk).
15초 만에
- To make a phone call to someone.
- Combine '전화' (telephone) with '하다' (to do).
- Use '한테' or '에게' to indicate the recipient.
What It Means
전화를 하다 is your go-to phrase for any voice call. Whether you are calling your mom to say hi or calling a restaurant to book a table, this is the expression you need. In Korean, many nouns become verbs by adding 하다 (to do), and 전화 (telephone) is no exception. It is the bread and butter of Korean communication. Even in the age of KakaoTalk, sometimes you just need to hear a voice.
How To Use It
You use this phrase by placing the person you are calling before it. Use the particles 한테 or 에게 for 'to'. For example, 친구한테 전화를 해요 means 'I call a friend.' In casual speech, you will often hear people drop the object particle 를 and just say 전화하다. It flows faster and sounds more natural when you are grabbing a coffee with friends. If you want to sound extra polite to a boss or grandparent, you swap 하다 for 드리다 to show respect.
When To Use It
Use it whenever a voice connection is happening. Use it when you are telling someone you will call them later (나중에 전화할게!). Use it when explaining why you were busy (전화하고 있었어). It is perfect for ordering delivery, checking office hours, or catching up with your bestie. If you are holding a phone to your ear, you are likely doing 전화.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if you are sending a text message. For texting, use 문자하다 or 카톡하다. Also, if you are specifically talking about the state of being 'in the middle of a conversation' rather than the act of calling, 통화하다 is a better fit. If you accidentally dial the wrong number, you don't 'do' a wrong call; you 'hang' it wrong using 전화를 잘못 걸다.
Cultural Background
Korea has a massive 'Palli-palli' (hurry-hurry) culture. While texting is huge, calling is often seen as the fastest way to get an answer. You will see people on the subway or walking through Gangnam constantly on their phones. There is also a specific etiquette for answering: 'Yeoboseyo?' is the universal 'Hello?' on the phone. Interestingly, Koreans often stay on the phone until the very last second of a commute!
Common Variations
전화해요: The standard polite version.전화해: The casual version for friends.전화 드려요: The humble version for elders or bosses.전화 걸다: Specifically means 'to dial' or 'place' a call.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very flexible. Use '전화하다' for general situations, but remember to use '전화 드리다' when speaking to someone of higher social status to avoid sounding rude.
Drop the Particle
In real life, Koreans almost never say '전화를 하다'. They just say '전화하다'. It's smoother and sounds much more like a native speaker.
Don't confuse with '통화하다'
If you say '전화하고 있어', it sounds like you are currently dialing. If you are already talking to someone, say '통화 중이에요' (I'm in the middle of a talk).
The 'Yeoboseyo' Rule
When you '전화하다', always start with '여보세요' (Yeoboseyo). It literally means 'Look here,' but it's the only way to say 'Hello' on the phone!
예시
7친구한테 전화를 해서 만났어요.
I called my friend and we met up.
Standard use of '한테' for the person being called.
집에 가서 전화할게!
I'll call you when I get home!
The 'ㄹ게' ending adds a sense of promise.
사장님께 전화를 드렸습니다.
I called the CEO.
Uses '드렸다' (humble) and '께' instead of '한테'.
지금 전화할 수 있어?
Can you talk on the phone now?
A common way to check availability before calling.
영화관에서 누가 전화를 해서 깜짝 놀랐어.
I was shocked because someone made a call in the cinema.
Highlights an inappropriate time to '전화하다'.
부모님 목소리가 듣고 싶어서 전화를 했어요.
I called because I wanted to hear my parents' voices.
Expresses emotional intent behind the call.
회의 끝나고 바로 전화하겠습니다.
I will call you right after the meeting.
Uses the formal '겠습니다' ending.
셀프 테스트
Fill in the blank with the correct particle and verb form for 'calling a friend' (polite).
저는 어제 친구___ 전화를 ___.
'한테' is the correct particle for 'to a person' and '했어요' is the polite past tense.
Choose the most respectful way to say 'I will call you' to a teacher.
선생님, 내일 다시 전화를 ___.
'드릴게요' is the humble/respectful version of '할게요', appropriate for a teacher.
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시각 학습 자료
Formality Levels of 'Calling'
To friends or younger siblings.
전화해!
To colleagues or strangers.
전화해요.
To elders, teachers, or clients.
전화 드립니다.
When to use '전화를 하다'
Ordering Food
치킨집에 전화해요
Family Check-in
엄마한테 전화해요
Work/Business
거래처에 전화해요
Emergency
119에 전화해요
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제저는 어제 친구___ 전화를 ___.
'한테' is the correct particle for 'to a person' and '했어요' is the polite past tense.
선생님, 내일 다시 전화를 ___.
'드릴게요' is the humble/respectful version of '할게요', appropriate for a teacher.
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자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Actually, it should be 전화를 하다. Since 전화 ends in a vowel (ㅏ), we use the object particle 를. However, most people just say 전화하다 anyway.
전화하다 focuses on the act of calling, while 통화하다 focuses on the actual conversation. You can say 전화했는데 통화는 못 했어 (I called, but we didn't get to talk).
You should say 통화 중이에요. If you use 전화하고 있어요, it might sound like you are currently in the process of dialing someone.
To a friend, say 전화해!. To someone you need to be polite to, say 전화해 주세요 or 전화 주세요.
Usually, people specify 영상 통화하다 for video calls. 전화하다 by itself almost always implies a standard voice call.
Use 한테 (casual/polite) or 에게 (formal/written). For someone highly respected, use 께.
You say 전화 못 받았어요 (I couldn't receive the call) or 부재중 전화가 있었네요 (There was a missed call).
Not exactly slang, but people often use 콜해 (Call-hae) which comes from the English word 'call', though this often means 'I'm down/I agree' rather than 'phone me'.
You use the verb 끊다 (to cut). So, 전화 끊어 means 'Hang up the phone'.
You can say 다시 전화할게요. It's a very common and useful phrase in office settings.
관련 표현
통화하다 (To talk on the phone)
문자하다 (To send a text message)
전화를 받다 (To answer the phone)
전화를 끊다 (To hang up the phone)
부재중 전화 (Missed call)
