여보세요
yeoboseyo · TOPIK 1
hello
📞 여보세요 = 여기 (here) + 보세요 (please look): look here, please
Originally a polite call for attention: 여기 보세요, look over here, shortened to 여보세요. That is why it works both for getting a stranger's attention and for answering the phone, where you check that someone is there.