Korean · Everyday Verbs
"to call (phone)" in Korean: 전화하다
전화하다jeonhwahada
to call (phone) in Korean is 전화하다 (jeonhwahada). 전화하다 is make a telephone call; 부르다 means call someone’s name or summon them.
to call (phone): an everyday statement
엄마에게 전화해요.eommaege jeonhwahaeyo.
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How to pronounce 전화하다
Say it
jeonhwahada
/tɕʌnhwahata/
Read 전화하다 as jeonhwahada. The spoken form 전화해요 is jeonhwahaeyo; preserve its final 요 when addressing someone politely.
"to call (phone)" in Korean: quick reference
| Korean | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| 전화하다jeonhwahada | to call (phone) Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| 전화해요jeonhwahaeyo | to call (phone) (polite present) Use 전화해요 in an everyday polite sentence. | Use 전화해요 in an everyday polite sentence. |
| 전화했어요jeonhwahaesseoyo | to call (phone) (polite past) Use 전화했어요 for a completed past action or state. | Use 전화했어요 for a completed past action or state. |
How to use 전화하다 in real life
- 1to call (phone): an everyday statement
엄마에게 전화해요.
eommaege jeonhwahaeyo.
I call my mom.
전화해요 is the present form of 전화하다.
- 2to call (phone): a different situation
어제 병원에 전화했어요.
eoje byeongwone jeonhwahaesseoyo.
I called the hospital yesterday.
전화했어요 is the past form of 전화하다.
- 3to call (phone): a question or request
언제 전화해요?
eonje jeonhwahaeyo?
When do you call?
전화해요 is the present form of 전화하다.
Mistakes English speakers make with 전화하다
Incorrect: 전화하다.
Correct: 전화해요.
When practicing to call (phone), 전화하다 names the dictionary entry. In polite speech, change the ending to 전화해요.
Incorrect: 어제 전화해요.
Correct: 어제 전화했어요.
When practicing to call (phone), for a completed event yesterday, use 전화했어요; the present form 전화해요 does not express that past event.
Good to know
전화하다 is make a telephone call; 부르다 means call someone’s name or summon them. 전화해요 is the polite conversational form of 전화하다; 전화했어요 gives a past-tense form.
Read this practice conversation aloud
Tutor-led everyday verbs study exercise: two sentences with 전화하다
Partner
이 표현을 사용해서 한 문장 말해 볼까요?
i pyohyeoneul sayonghaeseo han munjang malhae bolkkayo?
Shall we say a sentence using this expression?
You
엄마에게 전화해요.
eommaege jeonhwahaeyo.
I call my mom.
Partner
좋아요. 다른 문장으로도 연습해 볼까요?
joayo. dareun munjangeurodo yeonseupae bolkkayo?
Good. Shall we practice with another sentence too?
You
어제 병원에 전화했어요.
eoje byeongwone jeonhwahaesseoyo.
I called the hospital yesterday.
This is a sample dialogue for reading aloud. Try both parts, then replace a detail with one from your own life.
Explore ChatPal"to call (phone)" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to call (phone)" in Korean
How do I use 전화하다 in polite speech?
전화해요 is the polite conversational form of 전화하다; 전화했어요 gives a past-tense form.
How do I use 전화하다 in a past-tense sentence?
전화했어요 is the polite past form. 전화하다 is make a telephone call; 부르다 means call someone’s name or summon them.
What does 전화해요 mean here?
전화해요 is used for to call (phone). For example, 엄마에게 전화해요. means “I call my mom.”
What should I remember about 전화하다?
전화하다 is make a telephone call; 부르다 means call someone’s name or summon them.
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