Knowing how to say phone numbers in Korean can be incredibly useful, whether you’re traveling in South Korea or simply want to communicate with Korean-speaking friends or co-workers. In this guide, we’ll explore the formal and informal ways of saying phone numbers in Korean, providing tips, examples, and even addressing some regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways of Saying Phone Numbers
Korean language emphasizes politeness, so it’s important to understand formal ways of saying phone numbers to show respect. Here are some key tips:
- Start with the area code: To begin, state the area code of the telephone number. For example, if the area code is 02, you would say “영이” (yeong-i).
- Separate the remaining digits: After stating the area code, separate the remaining digits of the phone number into pairs. For instance, if the last seven digits are 1234567, you could say “일이삼 (il-i-sam) 사오륙 (sa-o-ryuk) 칠 (chil).” Remember to use the Korean pronunciation for the digits.
- Use the word “번” (beon): After stating the last pair of digits, include the word “번” (beon), which means “times.” For example, if the last pair of digits is 67, you would say “육십칠번” (yuk-sip-chil-beon).
Let’s take a formal phone number as an example and put it all together: (02) 1234-5678.
영이 일이삼사 (yeong-i il-i-sam-sa) 오륙칠팔 (o-ryuk-chil-pal)
오 (o) 륙 (ryuk) 칠팔 (chil-pal) 번 (beon)
영이일이사오륙칠팔번 (yeong-i-il-i-sa-o-ryuk-chil-pal-beon)
Informal Ways of Saying Phone Numbers
When speaking with friends, family, or close acquaintances, you can use informal language to say phone numbers. Here are a few tips:
- Drop the area code: In informal situations, it’s common to omit the area code altogether and start with the remaining digits. For example, if the phone number is (02) 1234-5678, you would only mention “일이삼사 (il-i-sam-sa) 오륙칠팔 (o-ryuk-chil-pal).”
- Simply say the digits: There’s no need to include the word “번” (beon) when using informal language. You can just say the digits in sequence. For example, if the last pair of digits is 67, you would say “육칠팔” (yuk-chil-pal).
- Consider informal vocabulary: Informally, some people prefer using slightly different pronunciations for certain digits. For example, 7 can be pronounced as “칠” (chil) or “셋” (set).
Now, let’s put these tips into practice with an informal phone number: (02) 1234-5678.
일이삼사 (il-i-sam-sa) 오륙칠팔 (o-ryuk-chil-pal)
오륙셋 (o-ryuk-set) 칠팔 (chil-pal)
일이삼사오륙셋칠팔 (il-i-sam-sa-o-ryuk-set-chil-pal)
Regional Variations
While the formal and informal ways mentioned above apply to the Korean language in general, it’s worth noting that regional variations can exist. For instance:
- Seoul: In Seoul, it’s common to pronounce 8 as “팔” (pal) and 9 as “구” (gu) instead of “여덟” (yeo-deol) and “아홉” (ahop) respectively. So, phone number (02) 1234-5678 would be pronounced as “일이삼사 (il-i-sam-sa) 오륙칠팔 (o-ryuk-chil-pal) 번 (beon) in Seoul.
- Busan: In Busan, some people might pronounce 2 as “이두” (i-du) instead of “둘” (dul), and 9 can be “잉” (ing) rather than “아홉” (ahop). So, the same phone number in Busan could be said as “영이 일두삼사 (yeong-i il-du-sam-sa) 오륙잉팔 (o-ryuk-ing-pal) 번 (beon).”
Remember, these regional variations are not universal, and most Koreans will understand the standard pronunciations. However, if you encounter speakers from specific regions, it’s valuable to be aware of their preferences.
Now that you have a comprehensive guide on saying phone numbers in Korean, you can confidently engage in conversations and communicate your phone number efficiently. Remember to practice these pronunciations and feel free to refer back to this guide whenever needed. Happy learning!
