Korean phrases / Everyday Korean
여보세요? / 네, 여보세요
yeo-bo-se-yo? / ne, yeo-bo-se-yo
“Hello? / Yes, hello”
🏷️ Any casual settingTextbook vs Real
Textbook여보세요, 말씀하세요yeo-bo-se-yo, mal-sseum-ha-se-yo
Real여보세요? / 네, 여보세요yeo-bo-se-yo? / ne, yeo-bo-se-yo
Why Koreans say it this way
여보세요 is ONLY for phone calls — never use it in person. It's one of the few Korean words used exclusively on the phone. When answering, the rising tone (여보세요?) signals you're ready to listen.
Situation: phone