Dealing with damaged merchandise after purchase can be frustrating, especially in a foreign language. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for shoppers needing to request a refund or exchange for an item, specifically focusing on a common issue like a torn shirt sleeve. Learn how to explain the problem, state your request, and understand potential responses from store staff in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 환불해 주세요
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me a refund. (The core request)
Describing the Problem
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Expression: 이 셔츠 소매가 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: i syeo-cheu so-mae-ga jji-jeo-jeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: This shirt’s sleeve is torn. -
Expression: 옷에 문제가 있어요.
Pronunciation: ot-e mun-je-ga it-seo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a problem with the clothes. -
Expression: 여기 소매 부분이 찢어졌어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi so-mae bu-bun-i jji-jeo-jeot-seo-yo.
Meaning: The sleeve part here is torn. -
Expression: 어제 샀는데, 집에 와서 보니 찢어져 있었어요.
Pronunciation: eo-je sat-neun-de, jib-e wa-seo bo-ni jji-jeo-jyeo it-seot-seo-yo.
Meaning: I bought it yesterday, but when I got home, I saw it was torn. -
Expression: 살 때부터 이랬던 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: sal ttae-bu-teo i-raet-deon geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think it was like this from when I bought it. -
Expression: 이건 불량품인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i-geon bul-lyang-pum-in geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think this is a defective product. -
Expression: 입어보지도 않았어요.
Pronunciation: ib-eo-bo-ji-do an-at-seo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t even worn it. -
Expression: 상태가 안 좋아요.
Pronunciation: sang-tae-ga an jo-a-yo.
Meaning: The condition is not good. -
Expression: 소매에 구멍이 났어요.
Pronunciation: so-mae-e gu-meong-i nat-seo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a hole in the sleeve. -
Expression: 옷감이 손상되었어요.
Pronunciation: ot-gam-i son-sang-doe-eot-seo-yo.
Meaning: The fabric is damaged.
Requesting a Refund or Exchange
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Expression: 환불받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-bat-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a refund. -
Expression: 환불 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is a refund possible? -
Expression: 이걸로 환불해 주세요.
Pronunciation: i-geol-lo hwan-bul-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a refund for this. -
Expression: 교환하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to exchange it. -
Expression: 같은 상품으로 교환해 주세요.
Pronunciation: ga-teun sang-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please exchange it for the same item. -
Expression: 다른 상품으로 교환할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun sang-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hal su it-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I exchange it for a different item? -
Expression: 영수증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi it-seo-yo.
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 환불 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the refund policy? -
Expression: 언제까지 환불/교환이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: eon-je-kka-ji hwan-bul / gyo-hwan-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Until when is a refund/exchange possible? -
Expression: 카드로 결제했는데, 환불 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-haet-neun-de, hwan-bul ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I paid by card, is a refund possible?
Clerk’s Potential Responses
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Expression: 영수증 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Do you have the receipt? -
Expression: 언제 구매하셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-mae-ha-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: When did you purchase this? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 환불은 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, hwan-bul-eun eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but a refund is difficult. -
Expression: 교환은 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-eun ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: An exchange is possible. -
Expression: 상품 상태를 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: sang-pum sang-tae-reul hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Let me check the condition of the item. -
Expression: 네, 환불 처리해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, hwan-bul cheo-ri-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, we will process the refund for you. -
Expression: 결제하신 카드를 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-ha-sin ka-deu-reul ju-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Could I have the card you paid with? -
Expression: 환불은 구매 후 7일 이내에 가능합니다.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-eun gu-mae hu chil-il i-nae-e ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: Refunds are possible within 7 days of purchase. -
Expression: 택(tag)을 제거하시면 환불이 불가능합니다.
Pronunciation: taek(-eul) je-geo-ha-si-myeon hwan-bul-i bul-ga-neung-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: If the tag is removed, a refund is not possible. -
Expression: 다른 상품으로 교환하시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-reun sang-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-ha-si-get-seo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to exchange it for a different item?
Korean Culture Notes
Keep Your Receipt (영수증 – yeong-su-jeung): Receipts are almost always required for refunds or exchanges in Korea. Make it a habit to keep them, especially for clothing or more expensive items.
Return Policies Vary: While larger department stores and chain retailers often have clear return policies (typically 7-14 days for unused items with tags and receipt), smaller boutiques or market stalls might have stricter rules, sometimes only offering exchanges or store credit, or even having a no-refund policy. Always check if possible.
Politeness Matters: When requesting a refund, maintain a polite and calm demeanor. Start with a polite greeting and clearly state the issue. Using formal language (~요 / ~ㅂ/습니다 endings) is recommended.
Check Items Before Leaving: While not always practical, it’s a good idea to quickly inspect clothing items for obvious defects like tears or stains before leaving the store, especially in smaller shops or markets where returns might be more challenging.
‘Defective Item’ vs. ‘Change of Mind’: Policies are generally more lenient for defective items (불량품 – bul-lyang-pum) compared to simple changes of mind (단순 변심 – dan-sun byeon-sim). Clearly stating the item is damaged, like a torn sleeve, strengthens your case for a refund or exchange.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) returns to a clothing store to ask for a refund for a shirt they bought yesterday because the sleeve is torn. The clerk (B) assists them.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 어제 여기서 이 셔츠를 샀는데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-je yeo-gi-seo i syeo-cheu-reul san-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I bought this shirt here yesterday. -
Expression: B: 네, 안녕하세요. 무슨 문제 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. mu-seun mun-je it-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, hello. Is there a problem? -
Expression: A: 집에 와서 보니까 여기 소매 부분이 이렇게 찢어져 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: A: jib-e wa-seo bo-ni-kka yeo-gi so-mae bu-bun-i i-reo-ke jji-jeo-jyeo it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: A: When I got home and looked, I noticed the sleeve part here was torn like this. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 잠시 상품 좀 확인해 보겠습니다. 영수증 가지고 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-se-yo? jam-si sang-pum jom hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. yeong-su-jeung ga-ji-go o-syeot-seo-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? Let me check the item for a moment. Did you bring the receipt? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 이건 입어보지도 않았어요. 환불받고 싶습니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi it-seo-yo. i-geon ib-eo-bo-ji-do an-at-seo-yo. hwan-bul-bat-go sip-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. I haven’t even worn this. I would like to get a refund. -
Expression: B: 네, 확인했습니다. 불량이 맞네요. 죄송합니다. 결제하신 카드로 환불 처리해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da. bul-lyang-i mat-ne-yo. joe-song-ham-ni-da. gyeol-je-ha-sin ka-deu-ro hwan-bul cheo-ri-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ve confirmed it. It is indeed defective. I apologize. Shall I process the refund onto the card you paid with? -
Expression: A: 네, 그렇게 해주세요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reo-ke hae-ju-se-yo. gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, please do that. Thank you.
Practice Tips
Handling returns or refunds requires specific vocabulary! Review the phrases for describing the problem (like 소매가 찢어졌어요) and making the request (환불해 주세요) often~ Practice saying them out loud, perhaps role-playing the conversation with a friend. Knowing these expressions will give you confidence if you ever need to return an item in Korea. Don’t forget your receipt! Fighting! (화이팅! hwa-i-ting!)
