Korean word

전화

Pronunciation

Romanizationcheonhwa

Meaning

  • nounphone

Example

내일 전화할게요.nae il cheon hwa hal kke yo

I'll phone you tomorrow.

Illustration for 전화 (phone)

More examples

회의 중이라서 지금은 전화를 받을 수 없어요.hoe ui chung i ra seo chi geu meun cheon hwa reul pa deul ssu eop sseo yo

I'm in a meeting, so I can't answer the phone right now.

Core concept

A voice link, or the device that creates it, between people who are apart.

Common phrases

  • 전화를 걸다cheon hwa reul keol da

    make a phone call

  • 전화를 받다cheon hwa reul pat tta

    answer the phone

  • 전화 통화cheon hwa tong hwa

    phone conversation

Similar words

핸드폰haendeupon: A portable phone used for calls, texts, and everyday apps.
통화tonghwa: Speaking with someone through a phone or internet connection.
전화번호cheonhwabeonho: Digits that identify a person or line for making a call.

Definition in Korean

전화기나 회선을 통해 상대와 목소리로 대화하는 행위 또는 그 장치cheon hwa gi na hoe seo neul tong hae sang dae wa mok sso ri ro tae hwa ha neun haeng wi tto neun keu chang chi

Word origin

The word 전화 (jeonhwa, "phone") was formed from 전 (jeon, "electricity") and 화 (hwa, "speech") as telephone technology became known.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Korean, the surrounding verb shows whether the situation involves starting or answering a call, so the noun alone does not express the whole action.

Related words

Word lists with this word