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여보세요: Korean phone hello

Hello? (on the phone)

Try it freePractice this Korean dialogueShadow each line, then continue with the related scenario practice.Open →

Explanation

여보세요 is the conventional opener for an ordinary telephone call. It can be used by the person answering and by a caller checking that the connection is active.

여보세요 is not a normal face-to-face greeting. When meeting someone in person, use 안녕하세요 or another relationship-appropriate greeting.

After 여보세요, callers usually identify themselves or confirm the other person: 저 에릭인데요, 민지 씨 계세요? or 민지 씨 맞으세요?

In business calls, the company or department may answer with an organization-specific formula instead of only 여보세요. The phone channel remains the key distinction.

Examples

여보세요? 네, 말씀하세요.

yeoboseyo? ne, malsseumhaseyo.

Hello? Yes, go ahead.

여보세요. 저 에릭인데요.

yeoboseyo. jeo erigindeyo.

Hello. This is Erik.

여보세요? 민지 씨 맞으세요?

yeoboseyo? minji ssi majeuseyo?

Hello? Is this Minji?

Mini dialogue

여보세요?

Hello?

여보세요. 저 지훈인데요. 지금 통화 괜찮으세요?

Hello. This is Jihun. Is now a good time to talk?

네, 괜찮아요. 말씀하세요.

Yes, it is fine. Go ahead.

Common mistakes

  • Do not walk into a shop or classroom and greet people with 여보세요.
  • Do not stop after 여보세요 on a formal call; identify yourself and state the purpose clearly.

How to practice

  1. Answer the call with 여보세요 unless your workplace has a set business greeting.
  2. Identify yourself early when the other person may not recognize your number or voice.
  3. Close the call with a normal closing such as 네, 알겠습니다. 감사합니다.

Check yourself

Question 1 of 1

Which situation calls for 여보세요?

Connected learning paths

When to use itAll Korean greeting situationsCompare the phone-only opener with greetings used in person.When to use itFace to face: 안녕하세요Return to the standard polite greeting for in-person encounters.Compare여보세요 vs 안녕하세요Separate phone openings from ordinary face-to-face greetings.PracticePractice phone greetingsChoose an opener and continue a short Korean phone call.GuideKorean phone conversationsContinue from 여보세요 into identification, requests, and closing a call.

Keep learning

Korean greetings by situation안녕: casual hello and goodbye안녕하십니까: formal-deferential hello처음 뵙겠습니다만나서 반갑습니다안녕히 가세요안녕히 계세요잘 가요 and 잘 가

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