Dealing with a defective product can be frustrating, especially when you need to communicate in Korean. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and vocabulary for requesting an exchange (교환 – gyo-hwan) or sometimes a refund (환불 – hwan-bul) for faulty items (불량품 – bul-lyang-pum) you’ve purchased in Korea. Learn how to describe the problem, make your request clearly, and understand common responses from store staff.
Table Of Content
Core Phrase: Requesting an Exchange
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Expression: 불량품 교환 요청하기
Pronunciation: bul-lyang-pum gyo-hwan yo-cheong-ha-gi
Meaning: Requesting an exchange for a defective product (The act of requesting)
Identifying and Describing the Defect
Clearly explaining the issue is the first step. Here are phrases to describe what’s wrong with the product.
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Expression: 이거 불량품인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: i-geo bul-lyang-pum-in geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: I think this is a defective product. -
Expression: 제품에 문제가 있어요.
Pronunciation: je-pum-e mun-je-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a problem with the product. -
Expression: 작동이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: jak-dong-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t work / It’s not operating. -
Expression: 전원이 안 켜져요.
Pronunciation: jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: The power doesn’t turn on. -
Expression: 소리가 안 나요.
Pronunciation: so-ri-ga an na-yo.
Meaning: There’s no sound. -
Expression: 화면이 안 나와요.
Pronunciation: hwa-myeon-i an na-wa-yo.
Meaning: The screen isn’t displaying anything. -
Expression: 여기가 깨졌어요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi-ga kkae-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s broken here. -
Expression: 흠집이 있어요.
Pronunciation: heum-jib-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a scratch / flaw. -
Expression: 부품이 빠졌어요.
Pronunciation: bu-pum-i ppa-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A part is missing. -
Expression: 사이즈가 안 맞아요.
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-ga an ma-ja-yo.
Meaning: The size doesn’t fit. (Often applicable for exchange) -
Expression: 색깔이 달라요.
Pronunciation: saek-kkal-i dal-la-yo.
Meaning: The color is different (from what I expected/ordered). -
Expression: 처음부터 이랬어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum-bu-teo i-rae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It was like this from the beginning.
Making the Exchange Request
Once you’ve explained the problem, state clearly that you want an exchange or refund.
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Expression: 교환해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please exchange it. -
Expression: 새 제품으로 바꿔 주세요.
Pronunciation: sae je-pum-eu-ro ba-kkwo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please exchange it for a new product. -
Expression: 같은 걸로 교환하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ga-teun geol-lo gyo-hwan-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to exchange it for the same item. -
Expression: 다른 제품으로 교환할 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: da-reun je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hal su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I exchange it for a different product? -
Expression: 환불해 주세요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a refund. -
Expression: 영수증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 언제 구매했어요.
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-mae-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I bought it on [Date/Time – e.g., 어제 – eo-je – yesterday]. -
Expression: 포장은 그대로 있어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-eun geu-dae-ro i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The packaging is still intact. -
Expression: 교환 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the exchange policy? -
Expression: 교환 기간이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan gi-gan-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: Until when is the exchange period? -
Expression: 확인해 주세요.
Pronunciation: hwa-gin-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please check it.
Understanding Store Responses
Here are some common phrases you might hear from the store staff.
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Expression: 영수증 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you show me the receipt? -
Expression: 언제 구매하셨어요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-mae-ha-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: When did you purchase this? -
Expression: 잠시만요, 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man-yo, hwa-gin-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Just a moment, I will check it. -
Expression: 네, 교환해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, gyo-hwan-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, we will exchange it for you. -
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: 교환 기간이 지났습니다.
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan gi-gan-i ji-na-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: The exchange period has passed. -
Expression: 사용하신 흔적이 있으면 교환이 안 됩니다.
Pronunciation: sa-yong-ha-sin heun-jeog-i i-sseu-myeon gyo-hwan-i an doem-ni-da.
Meaning: If there are signs of use, exchange is not possible. -
Expression: 포장이 훼손되면 교환이 어렵습니다.
Pronunciation: po-jang-i hwe-son-doe-myeon gyo-hwan-i eo-ryeop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: If the packaging is damaged, exchange is difficult. -
Expression: 재고가 없습니다.
Pronunciation: jae-go-ga eop-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It’s out of stock. -
Expression: 다른 색상/사이즈는 괜찮으신가요?
Pronunciation: da-reun saek-sang/sa-i-jeu-neun gwaen-chan-eu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Would another color/size be okay? -
Expression: 수리를 맡기시겠어요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-reul mat-gi-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Would you like to leave it for repair?
Useful Vocabulary
Knowing these related words will help you understand and communicate better.
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Expression: 불량품
Pronunciation: bul-lyang-pum
Meaning: Defective product -
Expression: 교환
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan
Meaning: Exchange -
Expression: 환불
Pronunciation: hwan-bul
Meaning: Refund -
Expression: 영수증
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung
Meaning: Receipt -
Expression: 고객센터
Pronunciation: go-gaek-sen-teo
Meaning: Customer service center -
Expression: 직원
Pronunciation: jig-won
Meaning: Staff, employee -
Expression: 제품
Pronunciation: je-pum
Meaning: Product -
Expression: 문제
Pronunciation: mun-je
Meaning: Problem, issue -
Expression: 고장
Pronunciation: go-jang
Meaning: Breakdown, malfunction -
Expression: 수리
Pronunciation: su-ri
Meaning: Repair -
Expression: 포장
Pronunciation: po-jang
Meaning: Packaging -
Expression: 재고
Pronunciation: jae-go
Meaning: Stock, inventory
Korean Culture Notes
Keep the Receipt (영수증 – yeong-su-jeung): Always keep your receipt! In Korea, like many places, a receipt is almost always required for exchanges or refunds. Some stores might accept card transaction records, but the physical receipt is best.
Time Limits: Most stores have a specific period for exchanges or refunds, often 7 to 14 days from purchase. This can vary, especially for electronics or sale items, so it’s good practice to check the store’s policy (교환/환불 규정 – gyo-hwan/hwan-bul gyu-jeong) at the time of purchase or look for signs near the counter.
Packaging Matters: Original packaging in good condition is often necessary for returns or exchanges, especially if you’re returning an item simply because you changed your mind (which is less commonly accepted than for defects). For defective items, it’s still advisable to bring the original packaging if possible.
Politeness is Key: Even if you are frustrated, maintaining a polite and calm demeanor is crucial. Using formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) and phrases like 죄송하지만 (joe-song-ha-ji-man – excuse me, but…) can make the interaction smoother.
Defect vs. Change of Mind: Policies are generally more lenient for genuinely defective products (불량품) compared to simple changes of mind (단순 변심 – dan-sun byeon-sim). Be clear if the item is faulty.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) returns to an electronics store to exchange a faulty pair of earphones they bought yesterday.
Characters:
A: Customer
B: Store Clerk
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 어제 여기서 이 이어폰을 샀는데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-je yeo-gi-seo i i-eo-pon-eul san-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I bought these earphones here yesterday. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 무엇을 도와드릴까요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, son-nim. mu-eo-seul do-wa-deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. How may I help you? -
Expression: A: 집에 가서 써보니까 오른쪽 유닛에서 소리가 안 나요. 불량품인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: A: jib-e ga-seo sseo-bo-ni-kka o-reun-jjok yu-ni-se-seo so-ri-ga an na-yo. bul-lyang-pum-in geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: When I tried them at home, there’s no sound from the right unit. I think it’s defective. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 죄송합니다. 영수증 가지고 오셨나요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-se-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da. yeong-su-jeung ga-ji-go o-syeon-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? I apologize. Did you bring the receipt? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 새 제품으로 교환해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. sae je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. Can you exchange it for a new product? -
Expression: B: 네, 영수증 확인했습니다. 잠시 제품 상태 좀 확인해 볼게요. (잠시 후) 네, 불량이 맞네요. 바로 새것으로 교환해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, yeong-su-jeung hwa-gin-hae-sseum-ni-da. jam-si je-pum sang-tae jom hwa-gin-hae bol-ge-yo. (jam-si hu) ne, bul-lyang-i man-ne-yo. ba-ro sae-geo-seu-ro gyo-hwan-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ve confirmed the receipt. Let me just check the product’s condition for a moment. (After a moment) Yes, it is indeed defective. We will exchange it for a new one right away. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Thank you. -
Expression: B: 불편을 드려 죄송합니다. 여기 새 제품입니다. 확인해 보세요.
Pronunciation: B: bul-pyeon-eul deu-ryeo joe-song-ham-ni-da. yeo-gi sae je-pum-im-ni-da. hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.
Meaning: B: We apologize for the inconvenience. Here is the new product. Please check it.
Practice Tips
Handling returns or exchanges can feel intimidating, but knowing these phrases will boost your confidence! Try role-playing the conversation example with a friend or practice saying the phrases aloud. Remember to bring your receipt (영수증!) and clearly state the problem (문제가 있어요). Most stores are helpful if you communicate politely and have a valid reason for the exchange~ Good luck!
