Encountering a defective product while shopping or after a purchase can be frustrating, especially in a foreign country. This guide provides essential Korean vocabulary and phrases to help you effectively communicate issues with faulty items, request returns, exchanges, or refunds in Korea. Knowing these expressions will empower you to handle such situations confidently.
Table Of Content
Core Expression
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Expression: 결함제품
Pronunciation: gyeol-ham-je-pum
Meaning: Defective product (A product with a flaw or fault)
Basic Vocabulary
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Expression: 결함
Pronunciation: gyeol-ham
Meaning: Defect, flaw -
Expression: 고장
Pronunciation: go-jang
Meaning: Breakdown, malfunction, out of order -
Expression: 불량품
Pronunciation: bul-lyang-pum
Meaning: Defective item, faulty goods -
Expression: 반품
Pronunciation: ban-pum
Meaning: Return (of goods) -
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: 수리
Pronunciation: su-ri
Meaning: Repair -
Expression: 보증 기간
Pronunciation: bo-jeung gi-gan
Meaning: Warranty period -
Expression: 포장
Pronunciation: po-jang
Meaning: Packaging -
Expression: 설명서
Pronunciation: seol-myeong-seo
Meaning: Manual, instructions
Reporting a Defect
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Expression: 이 제품에 결함이 있어요.
Pronunciation: i je-pum-e gyeol-ham-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: This product has a defect. -
Expression: 제품이 고장 났어요.
Pronunciation: je-pum-i go-jang na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The product is broken/malfunctioning. -
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: The power doesn’t turn on. -
Expression: 소리가 이상해요.
Pronunciation: so-ri-ga i-sang-hae-yo.
Meaning: The sound is strange. -
Expression: 부품이 빠져 있어요.
Pronunciation: bu-pum-i ppa-jyeo i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: A part is missing. -
Expression: 흠집이 있어요.
Pronunciation: heum-jib-i i-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a scratch. -
Expression: 포장이 뜯어져 있었어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-i tteu-deo-jyeo i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The packaging was torn/open. -
Expression: 처음부터 문제가 있었어요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum-bu-teo mun-je-ga i-sseo-sseo-yo.
Meaning: There was a problem from the beginning. -
Expression: 사용 설명서랑 달라요.
Pronunciation: sa-yong seol-myeong-seo-rang dal-la-yo.
Meaning: It’s different from the instruction manual. -
Expression: 사이즈가 잘못 왔어요.
Pronunciation: sa-i-jeu-ga jal-mot wa-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The wrong size arrived. -
Expression: 색상이 달라요.
Pronunciation: saek-sang-i dal-la-yo.
Meaning: The color is different.
Requesting Solutions
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Expression: 반품하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: ban-pum-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: I want to return it. -
Expression: 교환해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please exchange it. -
Expression: 환불해 주세요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please give me a refund. -
Expression: 새 제품으로 바꿔 주세요.
Pronunciation: sae je-pum-eu-ro ba-kkwo ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please replace it with a new product. -
Expression: 수리해 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: su-ri-hae ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you repair it? -
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 2025. (e.g., 어제 구매했어요 – eo-je gu-mae-hae-sseo-yo – I bought it yesterday.) -
Expression: 보증 기간이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: bo-jeung gi-gan-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the warranty period? -
Expression: 아직 보증 기간 안 지났어요.
Pronunciation: a-jik bo-jeung gi-gan an ji-na-sseo-yo.
Meaning: The warranty period hasn’t passed yet. -
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: 환불 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the refund policy? -
Expression: 처리해 주세요.
Pronunciation: cheo-ri-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please process this / take care of this.
Korean Culture Notes
Keep Your Receipt (영수증): Holding onto your receipt is crucial in Korea, just like anywhere else. Most stores require the original receipt for returns, exchanges, or warranty claims. Some stores might accept credit card statements as proof of purchase, but the physical receipt is always best.
Return/Exchange Periods: Standard return/exchange periods are often within 7 to 14 days of purchase, provided the item is unused and in its original packaging (unless it’s defective). However, policies vary by store and product type (e.g., electronics, clothing, food), so it’s wise to check the store’s specific policy, often printed on the receipt or displayed near the counter.
Consumer Protection: South Korea has strong consumer protection laws. If a product is clearly defective, you generally have the right to a repair, exchange, or refund, even if the standard return period has passed, especially if it’s within the warranty period (보증 기간).
Politeness Matters: When dealing with customer service, maintaining a polite and calm demeanor is important. Use formal language (like the phrases provided using -요 endings) and clearly explain the issue. Raising your voice or being aggressive is generally counterproductive.
“Customer is King” (손님은 왕이다): While this phrase exists, service culture can vary. Be prepared to explain the defect clearly. Sometimes, especially with electronics, they might need to send the item for inspection before approving an exchange or refund.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A customer (A) returns a newly purchased electric kettle that doesn’t turn on to the store clerk (B).
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Expression: A: 안녕하세요. 이틀 전에 여기서 산 전기 주전자인데요.
Pronunciation: A: an-nyeong-ha-se-yo. i-teul jeon-e yeo-gi-seo san jeon-gi ju-jeon-ja-in-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Hello. It’s about the electric kettle I bought here two days ago. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 무슨 문제 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: B: ne, son-nim. mu-seun mun-je i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. Is there a problem? -
Expression: A: 네, 집에 가서 써보니까 전원이 안 켜져요. 결함제품인 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, jib-e ga-seo sseo-bo-ni-kka jeon-won-i an kyeo-jyeo-yo. gyeol-ham-je-pum-in geot ga-ta-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, when I tried using it at home, the power doesn’t turn on. I think it’s a defective product. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러세요? 죄송합니다. 영수증 가지고 오셨어요?
Pronunciation: B: a, geu-reo-se-yo? joe-song-ham-ni-da. yeong-su-jeung ga-ji-go o-syeo-sseo-yo?
Meaning: B: Oh, really? I apologize. Did you bring the receipt? -
Expression: A: 네, 여기 있어요. 새 제품으로 교환하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: A: ne, yeo-gi i-sseo-yo. sae je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-ha-go si-peo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, here it is. I’d like to exchange it for a new one. -
Expression: B: 네, 확인해 보겠습니다. 잠시만 기다려 주세요… 네, 동일한 새 제품으로 교환해 드리겠습니다.
Pronunciation: B: ne, hwa-gin-hae bo-ge-sseum-ni-da. jam-si-man gi-da-ryeo ju-se-yo… ne, dong-il-han sae je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae deu-ri-ge-sseum-ni-da.
Meaning: B: Okay, I’ll check it. Please wait a moment… Yes, we will exchange it for the same new product for you. -
Expression: A: 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: A: gam-sa-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: A: Thank you.
Practice Tips
Dealing with defective products isn’t fun, but knowing the right phrases makes it much easier! Try practicing these expressions aloud. Imagine you’re at a store explaining a problem with an item you bought~ Role-playing with a friend can be super helpful too! Keep your receipts safe, and don’t hesitate to politely ask for an exchange or refund if something isn’t right. You’ve got this! 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
