전화 통화
jeonhwa tonghwa
The English phrase 'phone call' is 전화 통화 (jeonhwa tonghwa) in Korean.
전화 통화 refers to the act of having a conversation using a telephone. During such conversations, Koreans often use the phrase 알았어요 to express that they understand or are engaged with what the other person is saying.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 전화 (jeonhwa), meaning 'telephone' and 통화 (tonghwa), meaning 'conversation/communication via a medium'.
Which one should you use?
While 전화 통화 specifically refers to the act of having a conversation over the phone, the shorter word 전화 is often used colloquially to mean both the device itself and the act of calling or receiving a call. Additionally, the term 통화 is used in the phrase 통화 중 to indicate that someone is currently busy talking on the phone.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the verb 'to phone' or 'to make a phone call', you use the verb form 전화하다.
How do you pronounce it?
jeonhwa tonghwa
Did you know?
- In Korean, the single word 통화 can also mean 'currency' in a completely different context. This happens because the same Sino-Korean characters are used for both 'conversation via a medium' and 'money in circulation'.
- The word 전화 is a homonym for several much more intense terms, including 'war fire' and 'war disaster', depending on the Hanja used.
Examples in context
- 전화로 문의드리려고 합니다.I would like to make an inquiry by phone call.
- 오늘 며칠만에 통화하려고 했어요.I was planning to make a call after a few days.
- 전화 통화가 길어졌어요.jeonhwa tonghwaga gireojyeosseoyo.The phone call lasted a long time.
- 중요한 전화 통화 중이에요.jung-yohan jeonhwa tonghwa jung-ieyo.I am in the middle of an important phone call.
- 전화 통화 내용은 비밀이에요.jeonhwa tonghwa naeyong-eun bimir-ieyo.The content of the phone call is a secret.
Example conversation
Minjun and Minji are talking in a cafe.
- 민준 Min-jun방금 전화 통화 했어요?banggeum jeonhwa tonghwa haesseoyo?Did you just have a phone call?
- 민지 Min-ji네, 친구랑 짧게 했어요.ne, chingurang jjalpge haesseoyo.Yes, I had a short one with a friend.
- 민준 Min-jun민지는 목소리가 밝네요.minjineun moksoriga balgneyo.Minji, your voice sounds bright.
- 민지 Min-ji기분 좋은 소식을 들었거든요.gibun joeun sosigeul deureotgeodeunyo.Because I heard some good news.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 전화, 통화, CC BY-SA 4.0.
