Asking for Someone on the Phone

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TL;DR 🦄

🔄 민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 [min-su ssi jom ba-kkwo ju-se-yo] — "Please put Minsu on the phone"

❓ 민수 씨 계세요? [min-su ssi gye-se-yo?] — "Is Minsu there?"

⏳ 잠시만 기다려 주세요 [jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo] — "Please wait a moment"

🚪 지금 자리에 없어요 [ji-geum ja-ri-e eop-seo-yo] — "He/she isn't at their desk right now"

📝 메모 남겨 드릴까요? [me-mo nam-gyeo deu-ril-kka-yo?] — "Shall I leave a message for them?"

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🎧 Iru Helper Note: Hear every phrase in this lesson spoken aloud and practice your pronunciation with the Iru Helper Widgets.

🌈 The Big Picture

바꿔 주세요 [ba-kkwo ju-se-yo] literally means "please switch (the phone)" — it's how you ask whoever answered to hand the phone to someone else. Pair it with 좀 to soften it: 민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 ("Please put Minsu on the phone").

민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 — "Please put Minsu on the phone" (direct request)

민수 씨 계세요? — "Is Minsu there?" (softer, asks availability first)

Both are polite — 계세요? is slightly gentler since it doesn't assume the person is available, while 바꿔 주세요 moves straight to the request once you're confident they're there.

🎭 바꿔 주세요 vs. 계세요?: Direct Request vs. Checking First

바꿔 주세요 works well when you're fairly sure the person is there — like calling a coworker's desk phone. 계세요? is better for less certain situations — like calling someone's home, where a family member might answer instead.

(workplace, likely there) 김 대리님 좀 바꿔 주세요 — "Please put Mr./Ms. Kim (assistant manager) on the phone"

(home phone, uncertain) 지은이 있어요? / 지은 씨 계세요? — "Is Jieun there?"

If the answer to 계세요? is yes, the person on the other end will usually say 네, 잠시만요 and hand over the phone — so the two phrases often lead to the same result either way.

🧳 Essential Phrase Kit

민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 [min-su ssi jom ba-kkwo ju-se-yo] — "Please put Minsu on the phone"

민수 씨 계세요? [min-su ssi gye-se-yo?] — "Is Minsu there?"

잠시만 기다려 주세요 [jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo] — "Please wait a moment"

지금 자리에 없어요 [ji-geum ja-ri-e eop-seo-yo] — "He/she isn't at their desk right now"

메모 남겨 드릴까요? [me-mo nam-gyeo deu-ril-kka-yo?] — "Shall I leave a message for them?"

메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요? [me-mo jom jeon-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?] — "Could you pass along a message?"

언제 들어오세요? [eon-je deu-reo-o-se-yo?] — "When will they be back?"

다시 전화드릴게요 [da-shi jeon-hwa-deu-ril-ge-yo] — "I'll call again"

바로 연결해 드릴게요 [ba-ro yeon-gyeol-hae deu-ril-ge-yo] — "I'll connect you right away"

잠깐 통화 가능할까요? [jam-kkan tong-hwa ga-neung-hal-kka-yo?] — "Could we talk for a moment?"

🛠️ Putting Together

A. Calling an office

A: 여보세요, 한국어학원이죠? 김민수 선생님 좀 바꿔 주세요.

B: 네, 잠시만 기다려 주세요. ...죄송한데, 지금 자리에 없으세요.

A: 아, 그러면 메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요?

A: Hello, is this the Korean language academy? Please put Teacher Kim Minsu on the phone.

B: Yes, please wait a moment. ...Sorry, he isn't at his desk right now.

A: Oh, in that case, could you pass along a message?

✨ Grammar note: 죄송한데 ("sorry, but...") softens the bad news before explaining the person isn't available — a common cushioning pattern in Korean.

B. Calling a friend's house

A: 여보세요, 지은이 있어요?

B: 네, 잠시만요. (지은에게) 지은아, 전화 왔어!

C: 여보세요? 나야, 지은이!

A: Hello, is Jieun there?

B: Yes, one moment. (to Jieun) Jieun, you've got a call!

C: Hello? It's me, Jieun!

✨ Grammar note: 전화 왔어! ("a call came!") is the casual way to tell a family member someone's on the phone for them.

C. Person unavailable, leaving a message

A: 박지수 씨 계세요?

B: 지금 외출 중이세요. 언제 들어오시는지는 잘 모르겠어요.

A: 그렇군요. 그럼 메모 남겨 드릴까요... 아, 제가 다시 전화드릴게요.

B: 네, 알겠습니다.

A: Is Park Jisoo there?

B: She's out right now. I'm not sure when she'll be back.

A: I see. Then shall I leave a message... oh, actually, I'll call again.

B: Okay, got it.

✨ Grammar note: 외출 중이세요 ("she's out") is a polite way staff describe someone's absence — common in offices and clinics.

🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue

민수: (전화벨이 울린다) 여보세요?

[(jeon-hwa-be-ri ul-lin-da) yeo-bo-se-yo?]

(the phone rings) Hello?

지은: 여보세요, 거기 김민수 씨 집이죠? 민수 좀 바꿔 주세요.

[yeo-bo-se-yo, geo-gi kim-min-su ssi ji-bi-jyo? min-su jom ba-kkwo ju-se-yo]

Hello, is this Kim Minsu's home? Please put Minsu on the phone.

민수: 어, 지은아, 나야! 바로 전화 받았네.

[eo, ji-eu-na, na-ya! ba-ro jeon-hwa ba-da-sseo-ne]

Oh, Jieun, it's me! I answered right away, huh.

지은: 아, 민수구나! 너인 줄 모르고 너무 정중하게 말했네.

[a, min-su-gu-na! neo-in jul mo-reu-go neo-mu jeong-jung-ha-ge mal-haet-ne]

Oh, it's you, Minsu! I didn't realize, so I spoke way too formally.

민수: 하하, 괜찮아. 무슨 일이야?

[ha-ha, gwaen-cha-na. mu-seun i-ri-ya?]

Haha, it's fine. What's up?

지은: 내일 약속 시간 확인하려고 전화했어.

[nae-il yak-sok shi-gan hwa-gin-ha-ryeo-go jeon-hwa-hae-sseo]

I called to confirm tomorrow's appointment time.

🧭 Speaking Tip

When asking for someone, including their title or relationship — 김 대리님, 선생님, ___ 씨 — shows respect, especially in business calls. If you're not sure whether the person is available, 계세요? is a safe, gentle opener; if you're confident they're there (like a direct work line), 바꿔 주세요 moves things along faster.

If you reach voicemail or a recording instead of a person, just hang up and try again later, or send a text — leaving a long message with a stranger's machine can feel awkward in Korean phone culture, especially for learners still building confidence.

⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge

❌ 민수 바꿔! (dropping 씨/좀/주세요 — sounds like a blunt command)

✅ 민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 — keep the title and softeners for politeness

❌ Assuming the person who answers IS the person you're calling

✅ 여보세요, ___씨 계세요? — always check first if you're unsure who picked up

❌ Hanging up immediately when told 지금 자리에 없어요

✅ 메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요? / 다시 전화드릴게요 — leave a message or say you'll call back

❌ Forgetting to give your own name when asking for someone

✅ "저는 인데요, 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요" — identify yourself so the message makes sense

🔄 이제 전화로 누군가를 찾는 것도 자신 있게! ✨

<summary>Try this exercise

Instructions: Choose the best phrase from this lesson for each situation. Tap "Answer" to check.

You call an office and want to speak with Minsu directly.

<summary>Answer

민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요 — "Please put Minsu on the phone"

You're not sure if the person is even there — ask gently.

<summary>Answer

민수 씨 계세요? — "Is Minsu there?"

You're told to hold on. What do you hear?

<summary>Answer

잠시만 기다려 주세요 — "Please wait a moment"

The receptionist tells you the person isn't at their desk.

<summary>Answer

지금 자리에 없어요 — "He/she isn't at their desk right now"

The receptionist offers to take a message for you.

<summary>Answer

메모 남겨 드릴까요? — "Shall I leave a message for them?"

You ask the receptionist to pass along a message yourself.

<summary>Answer

메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요? — "Could you pass along a message?"

You want to know when the person will return.

<summary>Answer

언제 들어오세요? — "When will they be back?"

Instead of leaving a message, you decide to try again later.

<summary>Answer

다시 전화드릴게요 — "I'll call again"

The receptionist tells you they'll transfer your call.

<summary>Answer

바로 연결해 드릴게요 — "I'll connect you right away"

You want to ask if someone has a moment to talk.

<summary>Answer

잠깐 통화 가능할까요? — "Could we talk for a moment?"

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Vocabulary Box

바꾸다 — to switch/change

계시다 — to be (honorific for 있다)

자리 — desk/seat

메모 — note/message

전하다 — to pass along

들어오다 — to come back/in

연결하다 — to connect

외출 — going out

기다리다 — to wait

통화 — phone conversation

Pitfalls 💡

Always include 씨/님 + 좀 + 주세요 for politeness

Don't assume the person who answers is who you called for

If unavailable, leave a message or say you'll call back

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Want more reps? Practice both versions back-to-back — 계세요? then 좀 바꿔 주세요 — so you can flex between them naturally depending on the situation!

📦

🎯 Practice Hub — Asking for Someone on the Phone

Time to navigate real phone calls! These three exercises cover requesting someone, handling "they're not here," and full conversations. Use the Iru Helper Widgets to listen and repeat.

Exercise 1 — Requesting Someone 🔄

A. How do you say "Please put Minsu on the phone"?

<summary>Answer

민수 씨 좀 바꿔 주세요

B. How do you ask "Is Minsu there?"

<summary>Answer

민수 씨 계세요?

C. How do you say "Please wait a moment"?

<summary>Answer

잠시만 기다려 주세요

D. How do you say "He/she isn't at their desk right now"?

<summary>Answer

지금 자리에 없어요

E. How do you ask "Shall I leave a message for them?"

<summary>Answer

메모 남겨 드릴까요?

F. How do you ask "Could you pass along a message?"

<summary>Answer

메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요?

G. How do you ask "When will they be back?"

<summary>Answer

언제 들어오세요?

H. How do you say "I'll call again"?

<summary>Answer

다시 전화드릴게요

I. How do you say "I'll connect you right away"?

<summary>Answer

바로 연결해 드릴게요

J. How do you ask "Could we talk for a moment?"

<summary>Answer

잠깐 통화 가능할까요?

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Quick Reference

바꿔 주세요 — "put X on the phone"

계세요? — "is X there?"

자리에 없다 — "not at their desk"

메모 — message/note

연결하다 — to connect

Exercise 2 — They're Not Here 🚪

A. You call and ask for Mr. Park, the manager.

<summary>Answer

박 과장님 좀 바꿔 주세요.

B. You're told he's not at his desk. Acknowledge it.

<summary>Answer

아, 그렇군요. 지금 자리에 없으시군요.

C. Ask when he'll be back.

<summary>Answer

언제 들어오세요?

D. They don't know — decide to leave a message instead.

<summary>Answer

그럼 메모 좀 전해 주시겠어요?

E. Give your message: "Please tell him Minsu called."

<summary>Answer

민수가 전화했다고 전해 주세요.

F. The receptionist offers to leave a note for him.

<summary>Answer

메모 남겨 드릴까요?

G. You say that's fine, thank you.

<summary>Answer

네, 감사합니다.

H. Instead, you decide to just call again tomorrow.

<summary>Answer

내일 다시 전화드릴게요.

I. Ask if they can connect you to another department instead.

<summary>Answer

다른 부서로 연결해 주시겠어요?

J. They say "I'll connect you right away."

<summary>Answer

바로 연결해 드릴게요.

📚

Cheat Sheet

과장님 — manager (title)

~다고 전해 주세요 — "please tell them that..."

부서 — department

내일 — tomorrow

다른 — other/different

Exercise 3 — Full Conversations 🗣️

A. Call a friend's house and ask if your friend Jieun is there.

<summary>Answer

여보세요, 지은이 있어요?

B. A family member answers and says "just a moment."

<summary>Answer

네, 잠시만요.

C. Jieun picks up. Greet her.

<summary>Answer

여보세요? 지은아, 나야!

D. Call an office and ask for "Kim Daeri" (assistant manager Kim).

<summary>Answer

김 대리님 좀 바꿔 주세요.

E. You're told she's out. Ask when she'll return.

<summary>Answer

언제 들어오세요?

F. They don't know — leave your name and say you'll call back.

<summary>Answer

그럼 제가 다시 전화드릴게요.

G. Call a clinic and ask if Dr. Lee is available to talk briefly.

<summary>Answer

이 선생님, 잠깐 통화 가능할까요?

H. They say "I'll connect you right away."

<summary>Answer

바로 연결해 드릴게요.

I. The doctor picks up. Greet them and confirm it's a good time.

<summary>Answer

여보세요, 선생님. 지금 통화 괜찮으세요?

J. Thank them and end the call politely.

<summary>Answer

감사합니다. 안녕히 계세요.

📚

Cheat Sheet

대리님 — assistant manager

선생님 — doctor/teacher (title)

잠깐 — briefly

통화 가능하다 — to be available to talk

안녕히 계세요 — formal goodbye

🎉 잘했어요! Now you can confidently ask for anyone on the phone — and handle it gracefully even when they're not there!