Which one should you use?
While 전화해 is a direct way to say "call me", adding 줘 to the end to form 전화해 줘 makes the request sound more like you are asking for a favor, which is a very common way to express this among friends. For a more polite request, you can use 전화해 주세요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 전화해 is casual and should only be used with close friends or people younger than you. To be more informal or friendly when asking a favor, use 전화해 줘. If you are speaking to strangers or people in a higher social position, use the polite form 전화해 주세요. For a formal way to ask, "Could you please call me?", use 전화해 주실래요? 전화주세요 is also a polite way to say "please call me".
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the object "me" (나를/나한테) is often omitted when it is clear from the context that the speaker is the one being called.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonhwahae
Did you know?
- If you want to ask someone to 'give you a call' specifically via a mobile phone, you might use the word 핸드폰 (haendupon), which is a loanword from English 'hand phone'.
- The word 전화 (telephone) literally means 'electric speech'. It combines the characters for 'electricity' and 'talk'.
- While 전화해 refers to a voice call, if you want someone to 'call' you via a messaging app like KakaoTalk, you would use the verb 톡 해 (tok hae).
Examples in context
- 7시 반 정도에 전화해 주세요.Please call me around 7:30.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 전화해 when specifying a time.Tatoeba #13210824 by atitarev, translation #12439994 by CK
- 탐에게 돌아오자 마자 전화해 달라고 물어봐 주세요.Ask Tom to call me as soon as he returns.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use 전화해 when expressing a request following an action.Tatoeba #1533374 by mysonhs, translation #1495737 by CK
- 전화해 줘.Call me.This sentence is useful for practicing the simple informal request using 전화해.Tatoeba #13191976 by atitarev, translation #1553532 by CK
- 저기요, 전화주세요.Excuse me, please call me.
- 지금 바쁘신가요? 전화해 주실래요?Are you busy right now? Could you please call me?
- 카톡으로 전화해.Call me on KakaoTalk.
- 이따 전화해 줘.Call me later.
- 그럼, 놀러 갔다 올 때 전화할게.Okay, I'll call you when I come back from hanging out.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyun-woo are parting ways after a meeting.
- 지은 Ji-eun집에 도착하면 전화해.jib-e dochak-hamyeon jeonhwa-hae.Call me when you get home.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo응, 도착하면 바로 전화할게.eung, dochak-hamyeon baro jeonhwa-halge.Okay, I will call you right away when I arrive.
- 지은 Ji-eun조심히 들어가.josim-hi deureoga.Get home safely.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo고마워, 내일 봐!gomawo, naeil bwa!Thanks, see you tomorrow!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
