Returning electronic products requires specific vocabulary and understanding of store policies. This guide provides essential Korean phrases and cultural context for handling electronics returns in Korea, whether it’s due to a defect, a change of mind, or receiving the wrong item. Learn how to communicate your needs clearly and navigate the return process smoothly.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 전자제품 반품하기
Pronunciation: jeon-ja-je-pum ban-pum-ha-gi
Meaning: Returning electronics (the act of returning electronic products)
Basic Return Phrases
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Expression: 이거 반품하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i-geo ban-pum-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to return this. -
Expression: 이 제품을 반품할 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: i je-pum-eul ban-pum-hal su i-sseul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I return this product? -
Expression: 반품하러 왔어요.
Pronunciation: ban-pum-ha-reo wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I came here to return something. -
Expression: 영수증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 언제 구매했는지 기억나세요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-mae-haet-neun-ji gi-eok-na-se-yo?
Meaning: Do you remember when you purchased it? (Staff question) -
Expression: 며칠 전에 샀어요.
Pronunciation: myeo-chil jeon-e sa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I bought it a few days ago. -
Expression: 지난주에 구매했어요.
Pronunciation: ji-nan-ju-e gu-mae-hae-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I purchased it last week. -
Expression: 포장은 그대로 있어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-eun geu-dae-ro i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The packaging is still intact. -
Expression: 환불받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a refund. -
Expression: 다른 제품으로 교환하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: da-reun je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to exchange it for a different product.
Explaining the Reason for Return
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Expression: 제품에 문제가 있어요.
Pronunciation: je-pum-e mun-je-ga i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There is a problem with the product. -
Expression: 고장 났어요.
Pronunciation: go-jang na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: It’s broken / It malfunctioned. -
Expression: 작동이 안 돼요.
Pronunciation: jak-dong-i an dwae-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t work. -
Expression: 전원이 안 켜져요.
Pronunciation: jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo.
Meaning: It doesn’t turn on. -
Expression: 부품이 빠졌어요.
Pronunciation: bu-pum-i ppa-jyeo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A part is missing. -
Expression: 제가 주문한 것과 다른 제품이 왔어요.
Pronunciation: je-ga ju-mun-han geot-gwa da-reun je-pum-i wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I received a different product than what I ordered. -
Expression: 색상이 달라요.
Pronunciation: saek-sang-i dal-la-yo.
Meaning: The color is different. -
Expression: 사이즈가 안 맞아요.
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-ga an ma-ja-yo.
Meaning: The size doesn’t fit. (Less common for electronics, but possible for accessories) -
Expression: 그냥 마음이 바뀌었어요.
Pronunciation: geu-nyang ma-eum-i ba-kkwi-eo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I just changed my mind. (Note: Returns for change of mind might have stricter conditions) -
Expression: 생각했던 것과 달라요.
Pronunciation: saeng-gak-haet-deon geot-gwa dal-la-yo.
Meaning: It’s different from what I expected. -
Expression: 사용법을 잘 모르겠어요.
Pronunciation: sa-yong-beo-beul jal mo-reu-ge-sseo-yo.
Meaning: I don’t know how to use it well. (Might lead to explanation rather than return)
Asking About Return Policy
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Expression: 반품 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: ban-pum gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the return policy? -
Expression: 반품 기한이 언제까지예요?
Pronunciation: ban-pum gi-han-i eon-je-kka-ji-ye-yo?
Meaning: What is the deadline for returns? -
Expression: 영수증이 꼭 필요한가요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung-i kkok pil-yo-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is the receipt absolutely necessary? -
Expression: 포장을 뜯었는데 반품 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: po-jang-eul tteu-deot-neun-de ban-pum ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I opened the packaging, can I still return it? -
Expression: 환불은 어떻게 진행되나요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-eun eo-tteo-ke jin-haeng-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: How is the refund processed? -
Expression: 현금으로 환불받을 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: hyeon-geum-eu-ro hwan-bul-ba-deul su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a cash refund? -
Expression: 카드로 결제했는데, 카드 취소되나요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-haet-neun-de, ka-deu chwi-so-doe-na-yo?
Meaning: I paid by card, will the card transaction be cancelled? -
Expression: 교환 시 차액은 어떻게 하나요?
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan si cha-ae-geun eo-tteo-ke ha-na-yo?
Meaning: What happens with the price difference if I exchange? -
Expression: 수수료가 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-su-ryo-ga in-na-yo?
Meaning: Is there a fee (e.g., restocking fee)? -
Expression: 보증 기간은 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung gi-gan-eun eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the warranty period? (Relevant if asking about repair instead of return) -
Expression: 서비스 센터는 어디에 있나요?
Pronunciation: seo-bi-seu sen-teo-neun eo-di-e in-na-yo?
Meaning: Where is the service center? (If repair is suggested)
Staff Responses and Questions
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Expression: 네, 반품 도와드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: ne, ban-pum do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Yes, I will help you with the return. -
Expression: 영수증 좀 보여주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung jom bo-yeo-ju-si-ge-sseo-yo?
Meaning: Could you please show me the receipt? -
Expression: 언제 구매하신 제품인가요?
Pronunciation: eon-je gu-mae-ha-sin je-pum-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: When did you purchase this product? -
Expression: 반품 사유가 어떻게 되시나요?
Pronunciation: ban-pum sa-yu-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-si-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the reason for the return? -
Expression: 제품 상태 확인해 보겠습니다.
Pronunciation: je-pum sang-tae hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I will check the condition of the product. -
Expression: 포장은 개봉하셨나요?
Pronunciation: po-jang-eun gae-bong-ha-syeon-na-yo?
Meaning: Did you open the packaging? -
Expression: 죄송하지만, 이 제품은 반품 기간이 지났습니다.
Pronunciation: joe-song-ha-ji-man, i je-pum-eun ban-pum gi-gan-i ji-nat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I’m sorry, but the return period for this product has passed. -
Expression: 환불해 드릴까요, 아니면 교환해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-hae deu-ril-kka-yo, a-ni-myeon gyo-hwan-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: Would you like a refund or an exchange? -
Expression: 결제하신 카드로 취소 처리해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: gyeol-je-ha-sin ka-deu-ro chwi-so cheo-ri-hae deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: We will process the cancellation on the card you paid with. -
Expression: 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please wait a moment. -
Expression: 여기 서명해 주세요.
Pronunciation: yeo-gi seo-myeong-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please sign here.
Korean Culture Notes
Receipt is Key (영수증 – yeong-su-jeung): Always keep your receipt! In Korea, proof of purchase is almost always required for returns or exchanges, especially for electronics. Without it, processing a return can be very difficult or impossible.
Return Period (반품 기간 – ban-pum gi-gan): Return periods for electronics in Korea are often quite short, typically ranging from 7 to 14 days after purchase. Policies vary by store, so it’s best to check at the time of purchase or ask specifically when attempting a return.
Original Packaging (원래 포장 – wol-lae po-jang): Stores usually prefer, and sometimes require, the item to be returned in its original packaging, including all accessories, manuals, and protective materials. Damage to the packaging might affect your ability to return, especially for a change of mind.
Defects vs. Change of Mind: Returns due to product defects (고장 – go-jang, 문제 – mun-je) are generally handled more leniently than returns due to a simple change of mind (마음 바뀜 – ma-eum ba-kkim). For change-of-mind returns, the product often must be completely unused and in perfect, resalable condition.
Refund vs. Exchange (환불 vs 교환 – hwan-bul vs gyo-hwan): While refunds are possible, especially for defective items, stores might sometimes prefer offering an exchange or store credit, particularly if the packaging has been opened or it’s a change-of-mind return. Be clear about whether you want a refund (환불 – hwan-bul) or an exchange (교환 – gyo-hwan).
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) wants to return a hairdryer they bought yesterday because it doesn’t turn on. They are speaking with a store clerk (B) at the customer service desk.
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 어제 여기서 산 이 헤어드라이어를 반품하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. eo-je yeo-gi-seo san i he-eo-deu-ra-i-eo-reul ban-pum-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. I want to return this hairdryer I bought here yesterday. -
Expression: B: 네, 고객님. 영수증 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, go-gaek-nim. yeong-su-jeung i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. Do you have the receipt? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. -
Expression: B: 감사합니다. 혹시 반품하시는 이유가 어떻게 되시나요?
Pronunciation: gam-sa-ham-ni-da. hok-si ban-pum-ha-si-neun i-yu-ga eo-tteo-ke doe-si-na-yo?
Meaning: B: Thank you. May I ask the reason for the return? -
Expression: A: 집에 가져가서 써보려고 했는데, 전원이 안 켜져요. 고장 난 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: jib-e ga-jyeo-ga-seo sseo-bo-ryeo-go haet-neun-de, jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo. go-jang nan geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: I took it home to try it, but it doesn’t turn on. I think it’s broken. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 죄송합니다. 제가 잠시 제품 상태 확인해 보겠습니다. (잠시 후) 네, 확인해 보니 작동이 안 되네요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-se-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da. je-ga jam-si je-pum sang-tae hwa-gin-hae bo-get-seum-ni-da. (jam-si hu) ne, hwa-gin-hae bo-ni jak-dong-i an doe-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, is that so? I apologize. I will check the product’s condition for a moment. (After a moment) Yes, I’ve checked and it doesn’t seem to be working. -
Expression: B: 새 제품으로 교환해 드릴까요, 아니면 환불해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: sae je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae deu-ril-kka-yo, a-ni-myeon hwan-bul-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Would you like to exchange it for a new one, or would you prefer a refund? -
Expression: A: 환불받고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-bat-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: A: I’d like a refund, please. -
Expression: B: 네, 알겠습니다. 결제하신 카드로 취소 처리 도와드리겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요.
Pronunciation: ne, al-get-seum-ni-da. gyeol-je-ha-sin ka-deu-ro chwi-so cheo-ri do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: B: Okay, I understand. I will help process the cancellation on the card you paid with. Please wait just a moment.
Practice Tips
Returning items can feel a bit intimidating, but knowing these phrases will definitely help~! Try practicing the core phrases like “이거 반품하고 싶어요” (i-geo ban-pum-ha-go si-peo-yo) and “고장 났어요” (go-jang na-sseo-yo) out loud.
Role-play the conversation example with a friend or study partner! One person can be the customer and the other the clerk. This helps you get comfortable with the flow of the conversation~!
Before you actually need to return something, look up the return policy (반품 규정 – ban-pum gyu-jeong) online for a store you frequent. Try to understand the terms using the vocabulary you learned here. Good luck!
