LEARN + CHINESE / 43 of 300 HSK 2
Who’s Calling?例 · 喂
When someone answers your call, start with 喂 (wèi), then greet them or say why you’re calling. It works like “hello?” on the phone. After the opening, use the same ordinary sentences you’d use face to face.
喂，你好，请问你找谁？
wèi, nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn nǐ zhǎo shéi?
Hello, who would you like to speak to?
喂，李老师吗？我是王明。
wèi, Lǐ lǎoshī ma? wǒ shì Wáng Míng.
Hello, is that Teacher Li? This is Wang Ming.
喂，妈妈，我已经到火车站了。
wèi, māma, wǒ yǐjīng dào huǒchēzhàn le.
Hi, Mom. I’ve arrived at the train station.
喂？你听得见我说话吗？
wèi? nǐ tīng de jiàn wǒ shuōhuà ma?
Hello? Can you hear me?
Hint · 힌트
喂 is mainly used when answering or starting a call. With a friend, it sounds casual; in a more formal call, follow it with 您好 or 请问.
In Real Life
On a call with someone you don’t know well, 喂，您好？ sounds warmer than a bare 喂？ Once they answer, introduce yourself or say who you’re trying to reach.
Vocabulary
| Chinese | English |
|---|---|
wèi | hello? (on the phone) |
nǐ hǎo | hello |
qǐngwèn | may I ask |
zhǎo | to look for; ask to speak to |
shéi | who |
lǎoshī | teacher |
wǒ shì | this is… (introducing yourself) |
māma | mom |
yǐjīng | already |
dào | to arrive |
huǒchēzhàn | train station |
tīng de jiàn | can hear |
shuōhuà | to speak; speech |
diànhuà | telephone; phone call |
shǒujī | mobile phone |
hàomǎ | number |
jiē diànhuà | to answer the phone |
dǎ diànhuà | to make a phone call |
huí diànhuà | to call back |
máng | busy |
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