Using store apps and digital coupons is common in Korea, but sometimes technology glitches happen. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for shoppers needing to ask cashiers about problems with store app coupons, such as when a discount isn’t applying correctly at checkout.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 앱 쿠폰 오류
Pronunciation: aep ku-pon o-ryu
Meaning: App coupon error (Use this to generally state the problem)
Basic Questions About the App/Coupon
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Expression: 이 쿠폰 사용할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: i ku-pon sa-yong-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I use this coupon? -
Expression: 앱 쿠폰 어떻게 사용해요?
Pronunciation: aep ku-pon eo-tteo-ke sa-yong-hae-yo?
Meaning: How do I use the app coupon? -
Expression: 쿠폰 적용이 안 되는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon jeok-yong-i an doe-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I don’t think the coupon is being applied. -
Expression: 앱에 문제가 있는 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: ae-be mun-je-ga it-neun geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think there’s a problem with the app. -
Expression: 이 쿠폰 유효기간이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: i ku-pon yu-hyo-gi-gan-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is this coupon valid? -
Expression: 쿠폰 사용 조건이 뭐예요?
Pronunciation: ku-pon sa-yong jo-geon-i mwo-ye-yo?
Meaning: What are the conditions for using the coupon? -
Expression: 바코드가 인식이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: ba-ko-deu-ga in-sik-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The barcode isn’t scanning / being recognized. -
Expression: 앱 로그인이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: aep ro-geu-in-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: I can’t log into the app. -
Expression: 쿠폰이 앱에서 안 보여요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon-i ae-be-seo an bo-yeo-yo.
Meaning: The coupon isn’t showing up in the app. -
Expression: 와이파이가 잘 안 터져요.
Pronunciation: wa-i-pa-i-ga jal an teo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The Wi-Fi connection is weak/not working well.
Explaining the Coupon Problem
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Expression: 분명히 쿠폰을 적용했는데 할인이 안 됐어요.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi ku-pon-eul jeok-yong-haet-neun-de har-in-i an dwaet-seo-yo.
Meaning: I definitely applied the coupon, but the discount wasn’t given. -
Expression: 앱에서 오류 메시지가 떠요.
Pronunciation: ae-be-seo o-ryu me-si-ji-ga tteo-yo.
Meaning: An error message pops up in the app. -
Expression: 쿠폰을 눌러도 반응이 없어요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon-eul nul-leo-do ban-eung-i eop-seo-yo.
Meaning: Even when I press the coupon, there’s no response. -
Expression: 계산 전에 쿠폰을 보여드렸어요.
Pronunciation: gye-san jeo-ne ku-pon-eul bo-yeo-deu-ryeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I showed you the coupon before checkout. -
Expression: 이 상품에도 쿠폰 적용되는 거 맞죠?
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-e-do ku-pon jeok-yong-doe-neun geo mat-jyo?
Meaning: This coupon applies to this product too, right? -
Expression: 앱이 갑자기 멈췄어요.
Pronunciation: ae-bi gap-ja-gi meom-chwot-seo-yo.
Meaning: The app suddenly froze. -
Expression: 쿠폰 다운로드가 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon da-un-ro-deu-ga an dwae-yo.
Meaning: The coupon won’t download. -
Expression: 할인 금액이 잘못 계산된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: har-in geu-maek-i jal-mot gye-san-doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the discount amount was calculated incorrectly. -
Expression: 다른 쿠폰이랑 중복 할인이 안 되나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun ku-pon-i-rang jung-bok har-in-i an doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Can’t this be combined with other coupons for a discount? -
Expression: 앱 업데이트를 해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: aep eop-de-i-teu-reul hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to update the app?
Asking for Assistance
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Expression: 확인 좀 해주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: hwa-gin jom hae-ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check it for me? -
Expression: 어떻게 해야 할까요?
Pronunciation: eo-tteo-ke hae-ya hal-kka-yo?
Meaning: What should I do? -
Expression: 쿠폰 적용 좀 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon jeok-yong jom do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please help me apply the coupon. -
Expression: 혹시 시스템 문제인가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si si-seu-tem mun-je-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it perhaps a system problem? -
Expression: 수동으로 할인 적용해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-dong-eu-ro har-in jeok-yong-hae ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you apply the discount manually? -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주시겠어요? 앱 다시 켜볼게요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-si-get-seo-yo? aep da-si kyeo-bol-ge-yo.
Meaning: Could you wait a moment, please? I’ll try restarting the app. -
Expression: 다른 직원분께 여쭤봐 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun jik-won-bun-kke yeo-jjwo-bwa ju-sil su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Could you ask another staff member? -
Expression: 고객센터에 문의해야 하나요?
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo-e mun-ui-hae-ya ha-na-yo?
Meaning: Do I need to contact customer service? -
Expression: 영수증 좀 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung jom hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check the receipt. -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 다시 한번 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, da-si han-beon hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but could you please check one more time? (Polite)
Korean Culture Notes
Politeness is Key: When addressing cashiers or staff, always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daet-mal). Phrases ending in -요 (-yo) or -ㅂ/습니다 (-p/seum-ni-da) are standard. Adding 죄송하지만 (joe-song-ha-ji-man – I’m sorry but…) or 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo – Excuse me) before asking can soften the request.
Patience with Technology: While Korea is technologically advanced, glitches happen. Staff are usually understanding but may need time to resolve app or system issues. Showing patience is appreciated.
Membership Apps are Common: Many stores, cafes, and restaurants have their own membership apps offering points and coupons. Downloading and using these apps is a common way to get discounts.
Check Coupon Conditions: Korean coupons often have specific conditions (minimum purchase amount, specific products, expiration dates, not usable with other discounts). It’s good practice to check these details beforehand, often found within the app.
Manual Adjustments: If an app coupon genuinely fails due to a technical issue, cashiers might sometimes be able to apply the discount manually, but this isn’t always possible depending on store policy and the system.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is at the checkout counter, trying to use a coupon from the store’s app, but the discount isn’t reflected on the screen. The cashier (B) assists.
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Expression: A: 저기요, 앱 쿠폰을 사용하려고 하는데요, 할인이 적용이 안 된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, aep ku-pon-eul sa-yong-ha-ryeo-go ha-neun-de-yo, har-in-i jeok-yong-i an doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I’m trying to use the app coupon, but I don’t think the discount has been applied. -
Expression: B: 네, 고객님. 어떤 쿠폰이신가요? 앱 화면 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ne, go-gaek-nim. eo-tteon ku-pon-i-sin-ga-yo? aep hwa-myeon jom bo-yeo-ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. Which coupon is it? Could you show me the app screen, please? -
Expression: A: 네, 이거 10% 할인 쿠폰이요. 아까 눌렀는데 반응이 없었어요.
Pronunciation: ne, i-geo sip-peo-sen-teu har-in ku-pon-i-yo. a-kka nul-leot-neun-de ban-eung-i eop-seo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, this 10% discount coupon. I pressed it earlier, but there was no response. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러셨군요. 잠시만요, 바코드 다시 한번 찍어보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-syeot-gun-yo. jam-si-man-yo, ba-ko-deu da-si han-beon jjigeo-bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Oh, I see. Just a moment, I’ll try scanning the barcode again. -
Expression: B: (삑) 어? 인식이 잘 안 되네요. 혹시 앱에 오류가 있을 수도 있겠네요.
Pronunciation: (ppik) eo? in-sik-i jal an doe-ne-yo. hok-si ae-be o-ryu-ga is-seul su-do it-get-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: (Beep) Oh? It’s not scanning properly. Perhaps there might be an error with the app. -
Expression: A: 네, 그런 것 같아요. 어떻게 해야 하죠?
Pronunciation: ne, geu-reon geot ga-ta-yo. eo-tteo-ke hae-ya ha-jyo?
Meaning: A: Yes, I think so. What should I do? -
Expression: B: 죄송하지만, 제가 수동으로 할인 적용해 드리겠습니다. 10% 맞으시죠?
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, je-ga su-dong-eu-ro har-in jeok-yong-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. sip-peo-sen-teu ma-jeu-si-jyo?
Meaning: B: I apologize for the inconvenience, I will apply the discount manually for you. It’s 10%, correct? -
Expression: A: 네, 맞아요. 감사합니다!
Pronunciation: ne, ma-ja-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da!
Meaning: A: Yes, that’s right. Thank you!
Practice Tips
Dealing with app issues can be a bit stressful, but knowing these phrases will help immensely! Try role-playing the conversation with a friend or language partner~ Practice saying the phrases clearly, focusing on the pronunciation. You can also try navigating store apps in Korean (if available) to familiarize yourself with the layout and coupon sections. Don’t be afraid to politely ask for help if you encounter a problem in a real store – most staff will be happy to assist you!
