여보세요
yeoboseyo[jʌ̹bo̞sʰe̞jo]
여보세요 (yeoboseyo) is the Korean way to say "hello dear" when answering the phone.
여보세요 is a greeting used when answering the phone.
Which one should you use?
While 여보세요 is used for phone greetings, the word 안녕 is a shortened version of 안녕하세요 used to greet friends or acquaintances casually.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoboseyo
Did you know?
- The phrase 여보세요 literally means 'look here', which reflects the historical transition from calling someone's attention in person to doing so over a line.
- If you accidentally use the word 여보 (yeobo) instead of 여보세요 (yeoboseyo) when answering a call, you might unintentionally address a stranger as your 'honey'.
- Using 여보세요 to start a conversation with a superior or a boss on the phone is generally avoided in favor of more formal identifications.
Example conversation
Minjun calls Minji on her mobile phone.
- 민지 Min-ji여보세요?yeoboseyo?Hello?
- 민준 Min-jun응, 민지야. 나 민준이야.eung, Minji-ya. na Minjun-iya.Yeah, Minji. It's me, Minjun.
- 민지 Min-ji어, 민준아! 웬일이야?eo, Minjun-a! wen-ir-iya?Oh, Minjun! What's up?
- 민준 Min-jun물어볼 게 있어서 전화했어.mureobol ge isseoseo jeonhwahaesseo.I called because I have something to ask.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 여보세요, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여보세요, CC BY-SA 4.0.
