While public phones (공중전화 – gong-jung-jeon-hwa) are becoming increasingly rare in Korea due to widespread mobile phone usage, you might encounter situations where you need one, perhaps if your phone battery dies or you’re in an area with poor reception. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for asking how to use a public phone and understanding the instructions.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 공중전화 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: gong-jung-jeon-hwa eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the public phone?
Asking for Help
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Expression: 저기요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me. (Used to get someone’s attention) -
Expression: 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. (More formal) -
Expression: 좀 도와주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jom do-wa-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you help me for a moment? -
Expression: 공중전화 사용법 좀 가르쳐 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gong-jung-jeon-hwa sa-yong-beop jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please teach me how to use the public phone? -
Expression: 이거 어떻게 사용하는지 아세요?
Pronunciation: i-geo eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-ha-neun-ji a-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you know how to use this? -
Expression: 공중전화 사용법을 잘 몰라요.
Pronunciation: gong-jung-jeon-hwa sa-yong-beo-beul jal mol-la-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to use the public phone well. -
Expression: 어떻게 하는지 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke ha-neun-ji al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me how to do it. -
Expression: 처음 사용해 봐요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum sa-yong-hae bwa-yo.
Meaning: It’s my first time using it. -
Expression: 도움이 필요해요.
Pronunciation: do-u-mi pil-yo-hae-yo.
Meaning: I need help. -
Expression: 잠깐 시간 괜찮으세요?
Pronunciation: jam-kkan si-gan gwaen-cha-neu-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you have a moment? / Are you free for a moment? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 질문 하나 해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, jil-mun ha-na hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Sorry, but may I ask a question?
Using the Public Phone
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Expression: 동전을 넣어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: dong-jeo-neul neo-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to insert coins? -
Expression: 카드를 어디에 넣어요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-reul eo-di-e neo-eo-yo?
Meaning: Where do I insert the card? -
Expression: 수화기를 먼저 들어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: su-hwa-gi-reul meon-jeo deu-reo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to pick up the receiver first? -
Expression: 번호를 어떻게 눌러요?
Pronunciation: beon-ho-reul eo-tteo-ke nul-leo-yo?
Meaning: How do I dial the number? -
Expression: 통화 버튼이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: tong-hwa beo-teu-ni mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the call button? -
Expression: 돈/카드를 먼저 넣어요, 아니면 수화기를 먼저 들어요?
Pronunciation: don/ka-deu-reul meon-jeo neo-eo-yo, a-ni-myeon su-hwa-gi-reul meon-jeo deu-reo-yo?
Meaning: Do I insert the money/card first, or pick up the receiver first? -
Expression: 잔돈이 나오나요?
Pronunciation: jan-do-ni na-o-na-yo?
Meaning: Does it give change? -
Expression: 국제전화도 걸 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: guk-je-jeon-hwa-do geol su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I make international calls too? -
Expression: 통화 요금이 얼마예요?
Pronunciation: tong-hwa yo-geu-mi eol-ma-ye-yo?
Meaning: How much is the call rate? -
Expression: 전화카드는 어디서 사요?
Pronunciation: jeon-hwa-ka-deu-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo?
Meaning: Where can I buy a phone card? -
Expression: 이 전화기 고장 났어요?
Pronunciation: i jeon-hwa-gi go-jang na-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Is this phone broken? -
Expression: 신호가 안 가요.
Pronunciation: sin-ho-ga an ga-yo.
Meaning: The call isn’t going through. / There’s no dial tone.
Understanding Instructions
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Expression: 네, 알겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I understand. -
Expression: 아, 그렇군요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-ku-nyo.
Meaning: Oh, I see. / Oh, is that so? -
Expression: 이해가 잘 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: i-hae-ga jal an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I don’t understand well. -
Expression: 다시 한번 설명해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon seol-myeong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you explain it again, please? -
Expression: 조금 더 천천히 말씀해 주세요.
Pronunciation: jo-geum deo cheon-cheon-hi mal-sseum-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please speak a little more slowly. -
Expression: 이 버튼을 누르라는 말씀이시죠?
Pronunciation: i beo-teu-neul nu-reu-ra-neun mal-sseu-mi-si-jyo?
Meaning: You mean I should press this button, right? -
Expression: 그 다음에는 어떻게 해요?
Pronunciation: geu da-eu-me-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo?
Meaning: What do I do next? / What’s the next step? -
Expression: 이제 알겠어요.
Pronunciation: i-je al-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Now I understand. / I get it now. -
Expression: 고맙습니다.
Pronunciation: go-map-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you. (Formal) -
Expression: 정말 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you very much. (Very formal) -
Expression: 도와주셔서 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-syeo-seo gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Thank you for your help.
Cultural Tips
Rarity of Public Phones: Public phones (공중전화 – gong-jung-jeon-hwa) are not common in Korea anymore. You might find them in older subway stations, bus terminals, or some public buildings, but don’t expect to see them everywhere. Most Koreans rely solely on their mobile phones.
Politeness is Key: When approaching a stranger for help, always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal). Start with 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo) or 실례합니다 (sil-lye-ham-ni-da) and use polite verb endings like -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ니다/습니다 (-m-ni-da / -seum-ni-da).
Phone Cards: Some public phones might require a specific phone card (전화카드 – jeon-hwa-ka-deu) rather than coins. These can usually be purchased at convenience stores (편의점 – pyeo-nui-jeom) near the phone booth, if available. Asking the convenience store staff might also be an option if you need help.
Alternatives: If you anticipate needing to make calls, consider getting a local prepaid SIM card, renting a portable WiFi egg (포켓 와이파이 – po-ket wa-i-pa-i), or using internet calling apps via public WiFi hotspots, which are quite common.
Expressing Gratitude: After receiving help, always express your thanks clearly with 고맙습니다 (go-map-seum-ni-da) or 감사합니다 (gam-sa-ham-ni-da).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: Alex’s phone battery died, and they need to make an urgent call. They found a public phone booth near a subway station but are unsure how to use it. Alex approaches Minji, who is walking by.
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Expression: Alex: 저기요, 실례합니다.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, sil-lye-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Excuse me. -
Expression: Minji: 네? 무슨 일이세요?
Pronunciation: ne? mu-seun i-ri-se-yo?
Meaning: Yes? What can I help you with? -
Expression: Alex: 죄송하지만, 공중전화 사용법 좀 가르쳐 주시겠어요? 핸드폰 배터리가 없어서요.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, gong-jung-jeon-hwa sa-yong-beop jom ga-reu-chyeo ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? haen-deu-pon bae-teo-ri-ga eop-seo-seo-yo.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you teach me how to use the public phone? My cell phone battery is dead. -
Expression: Minji: 아, 네. 물론이죠. 먼저 수화기를 드세요.
Pronunciation: a, ne. mul-lo-ni-jyo. meon-jeo su-hwa-gi-reul deu-se-yo.
Meaning: Oh, yes. Of course. First, pick up the receiver. -
Expression: Alex: 네. 그 다음에는요? 동전을 넣어야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ne. geu da-eu-me-neun-yo? dong-jeo-neul neo-eo-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Okay. And then? Do I need to insert coins? -
Expression: Minji: 네, 동전이나 전화카드를 넣으시면 돼요. 여기 동전 넣는 곳이에요. 그리고 원하시는 번호를 누르세요.
Pronunciation: ne, dong-jeo-ni-na jeon-hwa-ka-deu-reul neo-eu-si-myeon dwae-yo. yeo-gi dong-jeon neo-neun go-si-e-yo. geu-ri-go won-ha-si-neun beon-ho-reul nu-reu-se-yo.
Meaning: Yes, you can insert coins or a phone card. Here is the coin slot. Then dial the number you want. -
Expression: Alex: 아, 알겠습니다. 정말 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: a, al-get-sseum-ni-da. jeong-mal gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: Oh, I understand. Thank you very much! -
Expression: Minji: 아니에요. 천만에요.
Pronunciation: a-ni-e-yo. cheon-ma-ne-yo.
Meaning: Not at all. You’re welcome.
Practice Tips
Memorizing these phrases is a great start! Try practicing them out loud to get comfortable with the pronunciation~ Role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner can be really helpful too!
While you might not need to use a public phone often, knowing these expressions prepares you for unexpected situations. Plus, practicing how to ask for help politely is a valuable skill in any language. Keep practicing, and you’ll feel more confident navigating Korea! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting! / You can do it!)
