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한국어
전화 — meaning in English: telephone
jeonhwa · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.
Guess the translation for
telephone
전화
jeonhwa
직업
jig
스피커
seupikeo
집주인
jibju
알코올
alkool
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neutral
very common
Usage
Native speakers use the word 전화 (jeonhwa) when discussing communication, especially when talking about making or receiving calls. It's common in both casual conversations with friends and family, as well as in professional settings when arranging meetings or confirming appointments.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym is 통화 (tonghwa), which also means 'telephone call' but emphasizes the act of talking on the phone rather than the device itself. You would use 전화 when referring specifically to the device or a phone in general, while 통화 is more suited for discussing the conversation that happens over the phone.
Culture
The word 전화 (jeonhwa) has its origins in the Sino-Korean characters, where '전' (jeon) means 'to transmit' and '화' (hwa) means 'speech' or 'talk'. This illustrates the telephone's primary function: to transmit speech over distances. In contemporary Korea, the telephone is an indispensable part of daily life, evolving from traditional landlines to smartphones, symbolizing the rapid technological advancement in communication.
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