Encountering issues with coupons or discounts at the checkout counter can be frustrating, especially when there’s a language barrier. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for shoppers needing to address problems with scanned coupons that haven’t applied correctly, ensuring a smoother shopping experience in Korea.
Table Of Content
Core Phrase: Coupon Issue
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Expression: 쿠폰 오류
Pronunciation: ku-pon o-ryu
Meaning: Coupon error/glitch
Asking About the Coupon
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Expression: 저기요, 이 쿠폰 할인이 적용 안 된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, i ku-pon ha-rin-i jeog-yong an doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: Excuse me, I think this coupon discount wasn’t applied. -
Expression: 쿠폰 스캔했는데 할인이 안 들어갔어요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon seu-kaen-haet-neun-de ha-rin-i an deu-reo-ga-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I scanned the coupon, but the discount wasn’t included. -
Expression: 영수증 좀 확인해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung jom hwa-gin-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check the receipt? -
Expression: 이 쿠폰 사용 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: i ku-pon sa-yong ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is this coupon usable? -
Expression: 할인이 왜 적용되지 않았나요?
Pronunciation: ha-rin-i wae jeog-yong-doe-ji a-nat-na-yo?
Meaning: Why wasn’t the discount applied? -
Expression: 쿠폰 바코드를 다시 찍어주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: ku-pon ba-ko-deu-reul da-si jji-geo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you scan the coupon barcode again? -
Expression: 혹시 시스템 오류인가요?
Pronunciation: hok-si si-seu-tem o-ryu-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it perhaps a system error? -
Expression: 이 쿠폰은 오늘까지 유효한데요.
Pronunciation: i ku-pon-eun o-neul-kka-ji yu-hyo-han-de-yo.
Meaning: This coupon is valid until today. -
Expression: 총 금액이 이상한 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: chong geu-mae-gi i-sang-han geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think the total amount is strange. -
Expression: 쿠폰 적용됐는지 확인 부탁드립니다.
Pronunciation: ku-pon jeog-yong-dwaet-neun-ji hwa-gin bu-tak-deu-rim-ni-da.
Meaning: Please check if the coupon was applied.
Explaining the Problem
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Expression: 이 쿠폰은 10% 할인 쿠폰이에요.
Pronunciation: i ku-pon-eun sip-peo-sen-teu ha-rin ku-pon-i-e-yo.
Meaning: This is a 10% discount coupon. -
Expression: 분명히 스캔했는데 할인이 안 됐어요.
Pronunciation: bun-myeong-hi seu-kaen-haet-neun-de ha-rin-i an dwae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I definitely scanned it, but the discount wasn’t applied. -
Expression: 이 상품에 쿠폰 적용이 가능하다고 알고 있어요.
Pronunciation: i sang-pum-e ku-pon jeog-yong-i ga-neung-ha-da-go al-go i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I understand that the coupon can be applied to this item. -
Expression: 쿠폰 사용 조건에 맞는 것 같은데요.
Pronunciation: ku-pon sa-yong jo-geon-e man-neun geot ga-teun-de-yo.
Meaning: I think it meets the coupon’s usage conditions. -
Expression: 아까 스캔할 때 오류 메시지가 떴나요?
Pronunciation: a-kka seu-kaen-hal ttae o-ryu me-si-ji-ga tteot-na-yo?
Meaning: Did an error message appear when you scanned it earlier? -
Expression: 제 앱에서는 쿠폰이 유효하다고 나와요.
Pronunciation: je aeb-e-seo-neun ku-pon-i yu-hyo-ha-da-go na-wa-yo.
Meaning: My app shows that the coupon is valid. -
Expression: 혹시 다른 쿠폰이랑 중복 할인이 안 되나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si da-reun ku-pon-i-rang jung-bok ha-rin-i an doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Perhaps it can’t be combined with other coupons? -
Expression: 이 쿠폰은 특정 상품에만 적용되나요?
Pronunciation: i ku-pon-eun teuk-jeong sang-pum-e-man jeog-yong-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: Does this coupon only apply to specific items? -
Expression: 금액이 할인 전 가격으로 계산된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: geu-mae-gi ha-rin jeon ga-gyeog-eu-ro gye-san-doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: It seems the amount was calculated based on the pre-discount price. -
Expression: 쿠폰 인식에 문제가 있는 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: ku-pon in-si-ge mun-je-ga it-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems there’s a problem with recognizing the coupon.
Requesting Assistance
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Expression: 다시 한번 확인해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: da-si han-beon hwa-gin-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please check one more time? -
Expression: 할인 적용을 다시 해주세요.
Pronunciation: ha-rin jeog-yong-eul da-si hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please apply the discount again. -
Expression: 문제를 해결해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: mun-je-reul hae-gyeol-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you resolve the problem? -
Expression: 매니저님을 불러주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: mae-ni-jeo-nim-eul bul-leo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please call the manager? (Use if the cashier cannot resolve it) -
Expression: 수동으로 할인 입력이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: su-dong-eu-ro ha-rin im-nyeog-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is it possible to manually input the discount? -
Expression: 계산을 취소하고 다시 해주세요.
Pronunciation: gye-san-eul chwi-so-ha-go da-si hae-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please cancel the transaction and do it again. -
Expression: 이 쿠폰 사용법을 잘 모르겠어요. 도와주세요.
Pronunciation: i ku-pon sa-yong-beob-eul jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo. do-wa-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: I’m not sure how to use this coupon. Please help me. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주십시오. 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-sip-si-o. hwa-gin-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. I will check. (Cashier’s likely response) -
Expression: 오류가 있었네요. 죄송합니다. 다시 처리해 드릴게요.
Pronunciation: o-ryu-ga i-sseon-ne-yo. joe-song-ham-ni-da. da-si cheo-ri-hae deu-ril-ge-yo.
Meaning: There was an error. I apologize. I’ll process it again. (Cashier’s likely response) -
Expression: 결제 금액을 수정해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-je geu-mae-geul su-jeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please correct the payment amount.
Cultural Tips for Shopping in Korea
Politeness is Key: Always use polite language (존댓말 – jon-daen-mal) when addressing cashiers or store staff, especially when pointing out a problem. Phrases starting with 저기요 (jeo-gi-yo – Excuse me) or ending with -요 (-yo) or -습니다/ㅂ니다 (-seum-ni-da / -m-ni-da) are appropriate.
Patience During Resolution: If there’s an issue, the cashier might need time to check the system, coupon conditions, or consult a colleague/manager. Showing patience is appreciated.
Digital Coupons & Apps: Many coupons in Korea are digital, distributed via store apps or messaging platforms like KakaoTalk. Ensure your phone screen brightness is adequate for scanning and that you understand the specific app’s interface for applying coupons.
Check Terms and Conditions: Coupon issues often arise from misunderstandings about terms (e.g., minimum purchase amount, specific product applicability, expiration dates, non-combinable offers). Briefly checking these beforehand can prevent issues.
Receipt Confirmation: It’s common practice to check your receipt immediately after payment to ensure all discounts and prices are correct before leaving the counter or store.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) is at the checkout counter. The cashier (B) has scanned all items and the shopper notices their digital coupon discount wasn’t applied to the total.
Roles: A: Shopper, B: Cashier
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Expression: A: 저기요, 계산이 끝났는데 쿠폰 할인이 적용 안 된 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: A: jeo-gi-yo, gye-san-i kkeun-nat-neun-de ku-pon ha-rin-i jeog-yong an doen geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, the payment is done, but I think the coupon discount wasn’t applied. -
Expression: B: 네? 어떤 쿠폰 말씀이신가요? 영수증 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: B: ne? eo-tteon ku-pon mal-sseu-mi-sin-ga-yo? yeong-su-jeung jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Pardon? Which coupon are you referring to? Could you show me the receipt? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기요. 이 앱 쿠폰 5,000원 할인이요. 아까 스캔하셨어요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi-yo. i aep ku-pon o-cheon-won ha-rin-i-yo. a-kka seu-kaen-ha-syeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. This 5,000 won discount app coupon. You scanned it earlier. -
Expression: B: 아, 잠시만요. 확인해 보겠습니다… 죄송합니다. 스캔 오류가 있었나 봅니다. 할인이 누락되었네요.
Pronunciation: B: a, jam-si-man-yo. hwa-gin-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da… joe-song-ham-ni-da. seu-kaen o-ryu-ga i-sseon-na bom-ni-da. ha-rin-i nu-rak-doe-eon-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, just a moment. I’ll check… I apologize. It seems there was a scanning error. The discount was omitted. -
Expression: A: 네, 그렇죠? 다시 적용해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, geu-reo-cho? da-si jeog-yong-hae ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, right? Could you apply it again? -
Expression: B: 네, 죄송합니다. 결제 취소하고 쿠폰 적용해서 다시 계산해 드리겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려주세요.
Pronunciation: B: ne, joe-song-ham-ni-da. gyeol-je chwi-so-ha-go ku-pon jeog-yong-hae-seo da-si gye-san-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’m sorry. I will cancel the payment, apply the coupon, and calculate it again for you. Please wait just a moment. -
Expression: A: 네, 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: ne, gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Yes, thank you.
Practice Tips
Handling checkout issues requires clear communication! Practice these phrases aloud, focusing on the pronunciation~ Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or language partner. Familiarize yourself with common coupon types in Korea (app coupons, paper coupons, membership discounts) so you know what to expect. Don’t be afraid to politely point out discrepancies – most staff are helpful and will correct errors once they understand the issue. Good luck with your shopping! Fighting!
