How to Answer the Phone Politely in Korean: Formal and Informal Phrases
Learn to answer phone calls in Korean with the right politeness level. Master 'Hello, this is...' and other essential phrases for formal and informal situations.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
Answering the phone in Korean requires choosing the right politeness level based on who is calling and the context. Unlike English, where 'Hello' works in almost any situation, Korean offers distinct phrases for formal and informal calls. This lesson focuses exclusively on answering incoming calls. You will learn how to say 'Hello, this is...' and other useful expressions, using both Hangul and Revised Romanization. By the end, you will be able to pick up the phone and respond appropriately, whether it is a business call or a friend on the line.
By the end, you can…
- answer the phone politely in formal situations using appropriate honorifics.
- answer the phone casually with friends using informal language.
- identify myself and ask who is calling in Korean.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
여보세요?
Hello? (on the phone)
yeo-bo-se-yo?
The universal phone greeting in Korean. Use it for both formal and informal calls when you pick up.
안녕하세요, 김민수입니다.
Hello, this is Kim Minsu.
an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gim-min-su-im-ni-da.
Formal self-introduction when answering. Use your full name and the formal copula '입니다'.
네, 전데요.
Yes, this is she/he. (I'm the one you're calling)
ne, jeon-de-yo.
A polite but slightly casual way to confirm your identity when the caller asks for you. '전데요' is a contraction of '저인데요'.
누구세요?
Who is calling, please?
nu-gu-se-yo?
Use this to ask who is on the line. It is polite but can sound direct; soften with a rising intonation.
실례지만 누구시죠?
Excuse me, but who is this?
sil-lye-ji-man nu-gu-si-jyo?
More formal and polite way to ask who is calling, suitable for business or unknown numbers.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
When answering the phone, the most common pattern is '여보세요?' followed by a self-introduction. For formal situations, use '안녕하세요, [name]입니다.' For example: '안녕하세요, 박지영입니다.' (Hello, this is Park Jiyeong.) In informal situations with friends, you can simply say '여보세요?' or '응, 왜?' (Yeah, what's up?). Another useful pattern is '전데요' to confirm identity: '네, 전데요.' (Yes, this is me.) To ask who is calling, use '누구세요?' or the more formal '실례지만 누구시죠?' Remember that '누구세요?' uses the honorific '시' to show respect to the caller.
When to use it
Use formal language when answering calls from strangers, business contacts, or elders. For example, if your boss calls, answer with '안녕하세요, 김민수입니다.' If you don't recognize the number, use '여보세요?' then '실례지만 누구시죠?' For friends or close family, informal is fine: '여보세요?' or '왜?' (Why?/What?). If a friend calls and you want to be playful, you can say '웬일이야?' (What's up?). Always match the caller's level of politeness; if they speak formally, respond formally. When in doubt, use the polite formal style with '-요' endings.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
여보세요?
Hello?yeo-bo-se-yo?안녕하세요, 김민수 씨세요?
Hello, is this Mr. Kim Minsu?an-nyeong-ha-se-yo, gim-min-su ssi-se-yo?네, 전데요. 누구세요?
Yes, this is he. Who is calling?ne, jeon-de-yo. nu-gu-se-yo?저는 박지영입니다. 실례지만 잠깐 통화 가능하세요?
I'm Park Jiyeong. Excuse me, but can you talk for a moment?jeo-neun bak-ji-yeong-im-ni-da. sil-lye-ji-man jam-kkan tong-hwa ga-neung-ha-se-yo?A little context goes a long way
In Korea, phone etiquette reflects hierarchical relationships. Using the correct level of politeness is crucial. When answering, many Koreans say '여보세요?' with a rising intonation. For business calls, it is common to answer with the company name and your name, e.g., '한국전자 김민수입니다.' (Korea Electronics, Kim Minsu.) Avoid using '여보세요?' in very formal business settings after the initial greeting; instead, use a formal self-introduction. Also, Koreans often exchange a few polite greetings before getting to the point.
One thing to watch for
Using '여보세요?' as a universal greeting for all situations, even after the caller has identified themselves.
Try this instead: After the initial '여보세요?', switch to a formal self-introduction if the context is formal. For example, instead of repeating '여보세요?', say '안녕하세요, 김민수입니다.' (Hello, this is Kim Minsu.) This shows respect and clarity.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1You receive a call from an unknown number. What is the most polite way to ask who is calling?
Show a sample answer
실례지만 누구시죠?
This phrase uses the formal '실례지만' (excuse me) and the honorific '시죠' to politely ask for the caller's identity. '누구세요?' is also acceptable but slightly less formal.
2Your friend calls you. How would you answer informally?
Show a sample answer
여보세요? 왜?
With friends, you can use '여보세요?' followed by '왜?' (what's up?). Alternatively, just '여보세요?' is fine. This is casual and appropriate for close relationships.
3You are expecting a business call and want to identify yourself formally. What do you say after '여보세요?'
Show a sample answer
안녕하세요, 김민수입니다.
This is a standard formal self-introduction. You can also say '한국전자 김민수입니다.' if representing a company. Both are polite and clear.
Always start with '여보세요?' when answering, then choose your level of politeness based on the caller. For formal calls, introduce yourself with '안녕하세요, [name]입니다.' and use '실례지만 누구시죠?' to ask who is calling. With friends, keep it casual with '여보세요?' or '왜?'. Matching the caller's politeness level is key to smooth communication.
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