영상통화
yeongsangtonghwa
The English phrase "video call" is translated into Korean as 영상통화 (yeongsangtonghwa). Wiktionary also lists 화상통화 (hwasangtonghwa).
Meaning: kind of telephone call accompanied by video imagery (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 영상통화 | yeongsangtonghwa |
| 화상통화 | hwasangtonghwa |
The term refers to a telephone call accompanied by video imagery. You can also use the verb form 영상 통화하다 to mean "to do a video call".
What does it mean word for word?
The word 영상통화 is composed of 영상 (image/video) and 통화 (telephone call). Similarly, 화상통화 is composed of 화상 (image/video/video-image) and 통화 (telephone call).
Which one should you use?
영상통화 is the more common, everyday term used for video calls via smartphones or apps. In contrast, 화상통화 is often used in more formal or technical contexts, such as video conferencing or professional video calls.
Is it said differently in some regions?
영상통화 is the term used primarily in the Seoul metropolitan area.
How do you pronounce it?
yeongsangtonghwa
Did you know?
- The root 통화 refers to the act of talking on the phone, but it is also the same word used for 'currency' or 'exchange' in economics.
- The word 화상 in 화상통화 can also mean 'burn' or 'facial wound' in a completely different medical context.
- In casual texting, younger Koreans might use the abbreviation 영통 instead of the full 영상통화.
Examples in context
- 오늘 친구와 영상 통화하려고 해요.I'm planning to have a video call with my friend today.
- 영상통화 하고 싶어요.yeongsangtonghwa hago sipeoyo.I want to do a video call.
- 우리 영상통화 가능해요?uri yeongsangtonghwa ganeunghaeyo?Is a video call possible for us?
- 어제 영상통화 했어요.eoje yeongsangtonghwa haesseoyo.I did a video call yesterday.
Example conversation
Minjun and Seoyeon are talking on the phone.
- 민준 Min-jun서연 씨, 영상통화 할까요?Seoyeon-ssi, yeongsangtonghwa halkkayo?Seoyeon, shall we do a video call?
- 서연 Seo-yeon좋아요! 지금 해요.Joayo! jigeum haeyo.Sounds good! Let's do it now.
- 민준 Min-jun제 얼굴 잘 보여요?je eolgul jal boyeoyo?Can you see my face well?
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 아주 잘 보여요.ne, aju jal boyeoyo.Yes, I can see you very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “video call” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
