TL;DR 🦄
- ↩️ 다시 전화할게요 [da-shi jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo] — "I'll call you back"
- 🙏 이따가 전화드릴게요 [i-tta-ga jeon-hwa-deu-ril-ge-yo] — "I'll call you a bit later" (formal)
- ⏰ 지금 바빠서 나중에 전화해도 될까요? [ji-geum ba-ppa-seo na-jung-e jeon-hwa-hae-do dwel-kka-yo?] — "I'm busy now, can I call later?"
- 😅 전화 못 받아서 미안해요 [jeon-hwa mot ba-da-seo mi-an-hae-yo] — "Sorry I missed your call"
- 📲 부재중 전화 확인했어요 [bu-jae-jung jeon-hwa hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo] — "I saw your missed call"
🎧 Iru Helper Note: Hear every phrase in this lesson spoken aloud and practice your pronunciation with the Iru Helper Widgets.
🌈 The Big Picture
다시 전화할게요 [da-shi jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo] — "I'll call you back" — is the phrase that smooths over every awkward "can't talk right now" moment. Whether you're busy, missed a call, or just need a minute, this phrase keeps the conversation going without ending it badly.
- 다시 전화할게요 — "I'll call you back" (casual, to friends)
- 이따가 전화드릴게요 — "I'll call you a bit later" (formal, to seniors/colleagues)
Adding a rough timeframe — 이따가 (a bit later), 30분 후에 (in 30 minutes), 회의 끝나고 (after the meeting) — makes your promise feel concrete and trustworthy rather than a vague brush-off.
🎭 전화할게요 vs. 전화드릴게요: Casual vs. Formal Promise
전화할게요 is the plain/casual form — fine for friends and family. 전화드릴게요 uses the humble verb 드리다 ("to give/offer," humble) and is the polite version — use it with bosses, clients, teachers, or anyone you'd address formally.
- (to a friend) 미안, 지금 바빠. 이따 다시 전화할게! — "Sorry, I'm busy now. I'll call you back later!"
- (to a client) 죄송합니다, 지금 회의 중이라 이따가 전화드리겠습니다 — "Sorry, I'm in a meeting — I'll call you back later"
Both versions can be paired with a reason (바빠서, 회의 중이라서) and a rough time, which together make the promise land well in either register.
🧳 Essential Phrase Kit
- 다시 전화할게요 [da-shi jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo] — "I'll call you back"
- 이따가 전화드릴게요 [i-tta-ga jeon-hwa-deu-ril-ge-yo] — "I'll call you a bit later" (formal)
- 지금 바빠서 나중에 전화해도 될까요? [ji-geum ba-ppa-seo na-jung-e jeon-hwa-hae-do dwel-kka-yo?] — "I'm busy now, can I call later?"
- 전화 못 받아서 미안해요 [jeon-hwa mot ba-da-seo mi-an-hae-yo] — "Sorry I missed your call"
- 부재중 전화 확인했어요 [bu-jae-jung jeon-hwa hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo] — "I saw your missed call"
- 회의 끝나고 전화할게요 [hwe-i kkeun-na-go jeon-hwa-hal-ge-yo] — "I'll call you after the meeting"
- 몇 시쯈 전화드릴까요? [myeot shi-jjeum jeon-hwa-deu-ril-kka-yo?] — "About what time should I call you?"
- 전화 기다릴게요 [jeon-hwa gi-da-ril-ge-yo] — "I'll wait for your call"
- 급한 일이면 문자 주세요 [geu-pan i-ri-myeon mun-ja ju-se-yo] — "If it's urgent, please text me"
- 나중에 연락할게요 [na-jung-e yeol-la-kal-ge-yo] — "I'll be in touch later"
🛠️ Putting Together
A. Busy at work, friend calls
- A: 여보세요?
- B: 어, 나야! 잠깐 통화 가능해?
- A: 미안, 지금 회의 들어가야 해서. 회의 끝나고 다시 전화할게!
- B: 응, 알겠어. 기다릴게.
A: Hello?
B: Hey, it's me! Got a minute to talk?
A: Sorry, I have to go into a meeting now. I'll call you back after the meeting!
B: Okay, got it. I'll wait.
✨ Grammar note: ~아/어야 해서 ("because I have to...") gives a quick, valid reason for cutting the call short without sounding dismissive.
B. Returning a missed call from a client
- A: 안녕하세요, 부재중 전화 확인했습니다. 전화 못 받아서 죄송합니다.
- B: 아, 네! 별일 아니에요. 견적서 관련해서 여쭤보고 싶어서 전화했어요.
- A: 네, 말씀해 주세요.
A: Hello, I saw your missed call. Sorry I couldn't pick up.
B: Oh, yes! It's no big deal. I called to ask about the quote.
A: Yes, please go ahead.
✨ Grammar note: 별일 아니에요 ("it's nothing serious") is a common, reassuring response to an apology for a missed call — it puts the other person at ease.
C. Asking for a good time to call back
- A: 죄송한데 지금 운전 중이라 통화가 어려워요. 이따가 전화드릴게요.
- B: 네, 알겠습니다. 몇 시쯈이 좋으세요?
- A: 한 시간 후쯈 어떠세요?
- B: 네, 그때 다시 연락드릴게요.
A: Sorry, but I'm driving right now so it's hard to talk. I'll call you back later.
B: Okay, understood. About what time works for you?
A: How about in about an hour?
B: Okay, I'll be in touch again around then.
✨ Grammar note: ~쯈 ("about/around") softens a specific time into an estimate — useful when you can't commit to an exact minute.
🗣️ Speaking Practice: Mini Dialogue
민수: (문자) 지은아, 아까 전화했었는데 못 받았네. 무슨 일이야?
[(mun-ja) ji-eu-na, a-kka jeon-hwa-hae-sseon-neun-de mot ba-dat-ne. mu-seun i-ri-ya?]
(text) Jieun, I called earlier but you didn't pick up. What's up?
지은: 아, 미안! 그때 수업 중이었어. 부재중 전화 확인했어. 지금 통화 가능해?
[a, mi-an! geu-ttae su-eop jung-i-eo-sseo. bu-jae-jung jeon-hwa hwa-gin-hae-sseo. ji-geum tong-hwa ga-neung-hae?]
Oh, sorry! I was in class then. I saw your missed call. Are you free to talk now?
민수: 어, 가능해! 근데 별로 급한 건 아니야.
[eo, ga-neung-hae! geun-de byeol-lo geu-pan geon a-ni-ya]
Yeah, I'm free! But it's nothing urgent.
지은: 그래도 궁금하니까 지금 전화할게!
[geu-rae-do gung-geum-ha-ni-kka ji-geum jeon-hwa-hal-ge!]
Still, I'm curious, so I'll call you now!
민수: 좋아, 기다리고 있을게.
[jo-a, gi-da-ri-go i-sseul-ge]
Great, I'll be waiting.
🧭 Speaking Tip
Whenever possible, give a rough timeframe instead of a vague "later" — 30분 후에, 이따가, 회의 끝나고, 저녁에 are all good anchors. A promise with a timeframe feels reliable; "나중에" alone can sound like you're putting someone off.
If you genuinely don't know when you'll be free, it's fine to say so honestly: 언제 시간 될지 모르겠어요, 확인하고 다시 연락드릴게요 ("I'm not sure when I'll be free — I'll check and get back to you").
⚠️ Pitfalls to Dodge
- ❌ 전화할게 (casual) to your boss or a client
✅ 전화드릴게요 — use the humble form 드리다 in formal relationships
- ❌ Promising "나중에" with no timeframe at all, leaving the other person guessing
✅ 이따가 / 30분 후에 / 회의 끝나고 — give at least a rough anchor
- ❌ Ignoring a missed call entirely and never mentioning it
✅ 부재중 전화 확인했어요 / 전화 못 받아서 미안해요 — always acknowledge it
- ❌ Saying you'll call back and then not following through
✅ If your plans change, a quick text — 미안, 더 늦을 것 같아요 — keeps trust intact
↩️ 약속한 시간에 전화하는 것, 그게 바로 신뢰예요! ✨
<summary>Try this exercise
Instructions: Choose the best phrase from this lesson for each situation. Tap "Answer" to check.
- You're busy now but want to promise a friend you'll call back.
<summary>Answer
다시 전화할게요 — "I'll call you back"
- You want to make the same promise to your boss, formally.
<summary>Answer
이따가 전화드릴게요 — "I'll call you a bit later" (formal)
- You're busy and want to ask if you can call back later.
<summary>Answer
지금 바빠서 나중에 전화해도 될까요? — "I'm busy now, can I call later?"
- You missed someone's call and want to apologize for it.
<summary>Answer
전화 못 받아서 미안해요 — "Sorry I missed your call"
- You saw a missed call notification — how do you mention it?
<summary>Answer
부재중 전화 확인했어요 — "I saw your missed call"
- You're heading into a meeting — when will you call back?
<summary>Answer
회의 끝나고 전화할게요 — "I'll call you after the meeting"
- You want to ask someone what time would be good for you to call.
<summary>Answer
몇 시쯈 전화드릴까요? — "About what time should I call you?"
- Someone says they'll call you back — respond that you'll wait.
<summary>Answer
전화 기다릴게요 — "I'll wait for your call"
- You can't talk now but want to leave an option open for urgent matters.
<summary>Answer
급한 일이면 문자 주세요 — "If it's urgent, please text me"
- A general way to say "I'll be in touch later."
<summary>Answer
나중에 연락할게요 — "I'll be in touch later"
Vocabulary Box
- 부재중 전화 — missed call
- 확인하다 — to check/confirm
- 바쁘다 — to be busy
- 회의 — meeting
- 급하다 — to be urgent
- 연락하다 — to contact
- 기다리다 — to wait
- 문자 — text message
- ~쯈 — "about/around"
- 드리다 — to give (humble)
Pitfalls 💡
- 전화할게 vs 전화드릴게요 — match formality
- Always give a rough timeframe, not just "나중에"
- Acknowledge missed calls — don't ignore them
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