여보세요
yeoboseyo[jʌ̹bo̞sʰe̞jo]
yeoboseyo is the Korean way to say Hello when answering the phone.
여보세요 is used to say "Hello" or "Hi" when answering a phone call. It serves as a way to check if the other person is there.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoboseyo
Did you know?
- While 여보세요 is for phones, the word 여보 (yeobo) is a term of endearment used between married couples, similar to 'honey' or 'darling'.
- The literal translation of 여보세요 is 'look here', which might sound quite blunt or commanding if used in person to get someone's attention.
- While 여보세요 is the standard phone greeting, Korean has no single word for 'hello' that works in every situation, as greetings change based on whether you are meeting someone for the first time or acknowledging a social hierarchy.
Examples in context
- 여보세요, 누구세요?yeoboseyo, nuguseyo?Hello, who is this?
- 여보세요, 잘 들려요?yeoboseyo, jal deullyeoyo?Hello, can you hear me well?
Example conversation
Hyunwoo receives an unexpected phone call from Seoyeon.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여보세요?yeoboseyo?Hello?
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 저 서연이에요.Hyunwoo ssi, jeo Seoyeon-ieyo.Hyunwoo, it's me, Seoyeon.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 서연 씨군요!A, Seoyeon ssi-gunyo!Ah, it's Seoyeon!
- 서연 Seo-yeon네, 잘 들리죠?Ne, jal deullijyo?Yes, can you hear me clearly?
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.
