On the Phone

Phone Korean is harder than face-to-face Korean because you can't see facial expressions or gestures. This lesson covers the formulaic opening and closing phrases that every Korean phone call uses, plus how to make appointments and reservations.

Opening: 여보세요 (the universal phone greeting, used as 'hello?'). Asking for someone: [name] 씨 계세요? (is [name] there?). Identifying yourself: 저는 [name]인데요 (this is [name]). Booking an appointment: 예약하고 싶어요 (I'd like to make a reservation), [time]에 가능해요? (is [time] available?). Closing: 감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요. Mobile communication has shifted heavily to KakaoTalk messaging in Korea, but phone calls remain essential for restaurant reservations, customer service, and any urgent communication. Practice the formulaic openings until they come out automatically when you hear the line connect.