Learn Korean Online - Simple Explanations in PLAIN English

So in class today we learnt the Chinese derivative counting system (일, 이, 삼, 사…), and in one little bonus section we applied those numbers to phone numbers, more specifically, asking and answering “What’s your phone number?” (“전화 번호 뭐예요?”).

So Mark’s question was, does the first part, “전화 번호” refer to a cell phone or a landline? And the answer is neither. In the video just below I explain what I mean in more detail, and how to specify “cell phone” or “landline” if you wanted to. Check it out…

Some notes from the video:

Cell phone 1: 핸드폰 (used way more conversationally, and is just simply AWESOME Konglish!! Hand-phone. It’s brilliant. I feel like inspector gadget when I say that and signal with my hand, “Excuse me while I take this call…go-go gadget hand-phone.”

Cell phone 2: 휴대폰 (is a bit more official, and basically just translates literally to portable phone. My advice, don’t use it. Use 핸드폰. Way more common. Way more fun.)

to call: 전화하다

Cheers Mark, I hope that helps…

P.S. For anyone new to Korean (and can’t read the above Korean words) and would like to perhaps learn some Korean online, you can get over 70 minutes worth of free videos (and the accompanying hand-out) teaching exactly how to read, write, and say the Korean alphabet. Just look underneath the big red “FREE” sign on the right there for more details about the videos and instructions on how to get to them. Cheers!