Encountering issues with promotional codes while shopping can be frustrating, especially in a foreign language. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for shoppers needing to ask a cashier about problems with applying a discount or promotional code during checkout in Korea. Learn how to explain the issue clearly and ask for assistance.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 할인 코드가 적용이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: ha-rin ko-deu-ga jeog-yong-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The discount code isn’t being applied.
Basic Questions
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Expression: 이 할인 코드 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ha-rin ko-deu sa-yong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I use this discount code? -
Expression: 할인 코드를 어떻게 입력해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin ko-deu-reul eo-tteo-ke im-nyeok-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: How should I enter the discount code? -
Expression: 왜 할인이 적용되지 않죠?
Pronunciation: wae ha-rin-i jeog-yong-doe-ji an-jyo?
Meaning: Why isn’t the discount being applied? -
Expression: 이 쿠폰 유효한가요?
Pronunciation: i ku-pon yu-hyo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this coupon valid? -
Expression: 프로모션 코드가 작동하지 않아요.
Pronunciation: peu-ro-mo-syeon ko-deu-ga jak-dong-ha-ji a-na-yo.
Meaning: The promotion code isn’t working. -
Expression: 혹시 시스템 오류인가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si si-seu-tem o-ryu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it perhaps a system error? -
Expression: 할인율이 잘못된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ha-rin-yul-i jal-mot-doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the discount rate is incorrect. -
Expression: 이 코드 사용 조건이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: i ko-deu sa-yong jo-geon-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What are the conditions for using this code? -
Expression: 다른 코드를 사용해도 될까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ko-deu-reul sa-yong-hae-do doel-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I use a different code? -
Expression: 영수증에 할인이 표시되지 않았어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung-e ha-rin-i pyo-si-doe-ji a-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The discount wasn’t shown on the receipt.
Explaining the Problem
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Expression: 이 코드를 입력했는데, 오류 메시지가 떠요.
Pronunciation: i ko-deu-reul im-nyeok-haet-neun-de, o-ryu me-si-ji-ga tteo-yo.
Meaning: I entered this code, but an error message appeared. -
Expression: 코드가 만료되었다고 나와요.
Pronunciation: ko-deu-ga man-ryo-doe-eot-da-go na-wa-yo.
Meaning: It says the code has expired. -
Expression: 할인 금액이 적용되지 않았어요.
Pronunciation: ha-rin geu-maeg-i jeog-yong-doe-ji a-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The discount amount wasn’t applied. -
Expression: 이 상품은 할인 대상이 아닌가요?
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-eun ha-rin dae-sang-i a-nin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Isn’t this product eligible for the discount? -
Expression: 분명히 유효 기간 안인데 작동을 안 해요.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi yu-hyo gi-gan an-in-de jak-dong-eul an hae-yo.
Meaning: I’m sure it’s within the validity period, but it’s not working. -
Expression: 앱에서는 된다고 나왔는데 여기서는 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: aep-e-seo-neun doen-da-go na-wat-neun-de yeo-gi-seo-neun an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It said it works on the app, but it doesn’t work here. -
Expression: 코드를 정확히 입력했어요.
Pronunciation: ko-deu-reul jeong-hwak-hi im-nyeok-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I entered the code correctly. -
Expression: 결제 금액에 할인이 반영되지 않았습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeol-je geu-maeg-e ha-rin-i ban-yeong-doe-ji a-nat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: The discount was not reflected in the payment amount. -
Expression: 이 프로모션에 문제가 있는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i peu-ro-mo-syeon-e mun-je-ga it-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think there’s a problem with this promotion. -
Expression: 최소 구매 금액을 넘었는데 할인이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: choe-so gu-mae geu-maeg-eul neo-meot-neun-de ha-rin-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I exceeded the minimum purchase amount, but the discount isn’t applying.
Asking for Help
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Expression: 확인 좀 해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: hwa-gin jom hae-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check it? -
Expression: 어떻게 해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What should I do? -
Expression: 도와주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: do-wa-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you help me? -
Expression: 매니저님과 이야기할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: mae-ni-jeo-nim-gwa i-ya-gi-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Could I speak with the manager? -
Expression: 수동으로 할인 적용해주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-dong-eu-ro ha-rin jeog-yong-hae-ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you apply the discount manually? -
Expression: 시스템을 다시 확인해 보세요.
Pronunciation: si-seu-tem-eul da-si hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the system again. -
Expression: 이 문제를 해결해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: i mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you resolve this issue? -
Expression: 다른 계산대에서 시도해 볼까요?
Pronunciation: da-reun gye-san-dae-e-seo si-do-hae bol-kka-yo?
Meaning: Should I try at another checkout counter? -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주십시오. 제가 확인해 보겠습니다. (Cashier response)
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o. je-ga hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. I will check it. -
Expression: 고객센터에 문의해 보셔야 할 것 같습니다. (Cashier response)
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo-e mun-ui-hae bo-syeo-ya hal geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems you may need to contact customer service.
Cultural Tips
Politeness is Key: When addressing cashiers or staff in Korea, always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal). Phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -습니다/ㅂ니다 (-seum-ni-da / -m-ni-da) are appropriate. Starting with “저기요” (jeo-gi-yo – Excuse me) is a polite way to get attention.
Patience During Problem Solving: Technical glitches or complex discount conditions can take time to resolve. Show patience while the staff investigates the issue. Rushing them might be perceived as impolite.
Have Proof Ready: If the promotion was advertised online or via an app, having a screenshot or the original source ready can help the cashier understand and verify the promotion details more quickly.
Understand Store Policies: Some promotions might have very specific conditions (e.g., only for certain branches, specific items, or membership levels). Be prepared that the code might genuinely not be applicable according to store policy, even if it seems like it should work.
Escalating Politely: If the cashier cannot resolve the issue, politely ask if you can speak to a manager (매니저님 – mae-ni-jeo-nim) using phrases like “매니저님과 이야기할 수 있을까요?” (mae-ni-jeo-nim-gwa i-ya-gi-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is at the checkout counter trying to use a promotional code from a mobile app, but it’s not working. The cashier (B) assists.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 이 할인 코드를 사용하고 싶은데요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, i ha-rin ko-deu-reul sa-yong-ha-go si-peun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I’d like to use this discount code. -
Expression: B: 네, 보여주시겠어요? (A shows phone) 아, 네. 입력해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo? a, ne. im-nyeok-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, could you show it to me? (A shows phone) Ah, okay. I’ll try entering it. -
Expression: B: (Tries entering) 음… 죄송하지만 코드가 적용되지 않네요.
Pronunciation: eum… joe-song-ha-ji-man ko-deu-ga jeog-yong-doe-ji an-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: (Tries entering) Hmm… I’m sorry, but the code isn’t being applied. -
Expression: A: 어? 왜 안 되죠? 앱에서는 유효하다고 나왔는데요.
Pronunciation: eo? wae an doe-jyo? aep-e-seo-neun yu-hyo-ha-da-go na-wan-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Oh? Why isn’t it working? It said it was valid on the app. -
Expression: B: 혹시 사용 조건 확인해 보셨어요? 특정 상품에만 적용될 수도 있습니다.
Pronunciation: hok-si sa-yong jo-geon hwa-gin-hae bo-syeo-sseo-yo? teuk-jeong sang-pum-e-man jeog-yong-doel su-do it-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Have you perhaps checked the terms of use? It might only apply to specific items. -
Expression: A: 네, 확인했어요. 제가 산 물건들 다 해당되는 것 같은데요. 혹시 시스템 오류인가요?
Pronunciation: ne, hwa-gin-hae-sseo-yo. je-ga san mul-geon-deul da hae-dang-doe-neun geot ga-teun-de-yo. hok-si si-seu-tem o-ryu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, I checked. I think all the items I bought are eligible. Could it be a system error? -
Expression: B: 잠시만요, 다시 한번 확인해 보겠습니다. (Checks system) 아, 죄송합니다. 저희 매장에서는 이 프로모션이 적용되지 않는 것 같습니다. 온라인 전용 쿠폰이네요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. (Checks system) a, joe-song-ham-ni-da. jeo-hui mae-jang-e-seo-neun i peu-ro-mo-syeon-i jeog-yong-doe-ji an-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da. on-la-in jeon-yong ku-pon-i-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Just a moment, I’ll check again. (Checks system) Ah, I apologize. It seems this promotion isn’t applicable at our store branch. It’s an online-only coupon. -
Expression: A: 아, 그렇군요. 알겠습니다. 그럼 그냥 결제해 주세요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-kun-yo. al-get-seum-ni-da. geu-reom geu-nyang gyeol-je-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: A: Ah, I see. Okay. Then please just process the payment.
Practice Tips
Practice makes perfect! Try role-playing this scenario with a friend or language partner~ Imagine you’re at a Korean store and your coupon isn’t working. Use the phrases for explaining the problem and asking for help. Listen carefully to potential responses from the ‘cashier’. Even just practicing the core phrase “할인 코드가 적용이 안 돼요” (ha-rin ko-deu-ga jeog-yong-i an dwae-yo) will boost your confidence for real shopping situations in Korea!
Don’t be afraid to use simple sentences first. Pointing at the code on your phone while saying “이거 안 돼요” (i-geo an dwae-yo – This isn’t working) can also communicate the basic issue. Good luck with your shopping! 화이팅!
