Dealing with returns or exchanges, especially for damaged items, requires specific vocabulary. This guide provides essential Korean phrases for a shopper needing to request a refund from a clerk due to a scratched watch face. You’ll learn how to explain the problem, ask for a refund, and navigate the conversation politely and effectively in a Korean retail setting.
Table Of Content
Core Expression for Refund
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Expression: 환불해 주세요
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-hae ju-se-yo
Meaning: Please give me a refund.
Explaining the Problem
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Expression: 이 시계 환불하고 싶어요.
Pronunciation: i si-gye hwan-bul-ha-go sip-eo-yo.
Meaning: I want to get a refund for this watch. -
Expression: 시계 액정에 흠집이 있어요.
Pronunciation: si-gye aek-jeong-e heum-jib-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a scratch on the watch face (crystal). -
Expression: 시계 유리에 기스가 났어요.
Pronunciation: si-gye yu-ri-e gi-seu-ga nass-eo-yo.
Meaning: The watch glass got scratched. (기스 is a common loanword for scratch) -
Expression: 어제 여기서 샀는데, 집에 와서 보니 흠집이 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: eo-je yeo-gi-seo sat-neun-de, jib-e wa-seo bo-ni heum-jib-i it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: I bought it here yesterday, but when I got home and looked, I saw there was a scratch. -
Expression: 처음부터 흠집이 있었던 것 같아요.
Pronunciation: cheo-eum-bu-teo heum-jib-i iss-eot-deon geot gat-a-yo.
Meaning: I think it was scratched from the beginning. -
Expression: 제가 긁은 게 아니에요.
Pronunciation: je-ga geul-geun ge a-ni-e-yo.
Meaning: I didn’t scratch it. -
Expression: 포장을 뜯어보니 이미 긁혀 있었어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-eul tteud-eo-bo-ni i-mi geul-kyeo iss-eoss-eo-yo.
Meaning: When I opened the packaging, it was already scratched. -
Expression: 시계 앞면에 눈에 띄는 흠집이 있어요.
Pronunciation: si-gye ap-myeon-e nun-e ttui-neun heum-jib-i iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: There’s a noticeable scratch on the front of the watch. -
Expression: 이 상태로는 착용하기가 좀 그래요.
Pronunciation: i sang-tae-ro-neun chak-yong-ha-gi-ga jom geu-rae-yo.
Meaning: It’s a bit difficult to wear it in this condition. -
Expression: 제품에 하자가 있는 것 같습니다.
Pronunciation: je-pum-e ha-ja-ga it-neun geot gat-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: It seems there is a defect with the product.
Requesting the Refund or Exchange
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Expression: 환불받을 수 있을까요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul-ba-deul su iss-eul-kka-yo?
Meaning: Can I get a refund? -
Expression: 전액 환불해 주시겠어요?
Pronunciation: jeon-aek hwan-bul-hae ju-si-gess-eo-yo?
Meaning: Could you give me a full refund? -
Expression: 교환이나 환불이 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: gyo-hwan-i-na hwan-bul-i ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: Is an exchange or refund possible? -
Expression: 새 제품으로 교환해 주세요.
Pronunciation: sae je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please exchange it for a new product. -
Expression: 흠집 없는 걸로 바꿔 주실 수 있나요?
Pronunciation: heum-jib eop-neun geol-lo ba-kkwo ju-sil su in-na-yo?
Meaning: Can you exchange it for one without scratches? -
Expression: 환불 규정이 어떻게 되나요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul gyu-jeong-i eo-tteo-ke doe-na-yo?
Meaning: What is the refund policy? -
Expression: 환불 절차를 알려주세요.
Pronunciation: hwan-bul jeol-cha-reul al-lyeo-ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please tell me the refund procedure. -
Expression: 다른 제품으로 교환하고 싶지 않아요. 환불을 원합니다.
Pronunciation: da-reun je-pum-eu-ro gyo-hwan-ha-go sip-ji an-a-yo. hwan-bul-eul won-ham-ni-da.
Meaning: I don’t want to exchange it for another product. I want a refund. -
Expression: 결제 취소해 주세요.
Pronunciation: gyeol-je chwi-so-hae ju-se-yo.
Meaning: Please cancel the payment. -
Expression: 카드로 결제했는데, 카드 취소 가능한가요?
Pronunciation: ka-deu-ro gyeol-je-haet-neun-de, ka-deu chwi-so ga-neung-han-ga-yo?
Meaning: I paid by card, is it possible to cancel the card transaction?
Providing Details
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Expression: 영수증 여기 있습니다.
Pronunciation: yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: Here is the receipt. -
Expression: 어제 오후 3시쯤 구매했어요.
Pronunciation: eo-je o-hu se-si-jjeum gu-mae-haess-eo-yo.
Meaning: I purchased it around 3 PM yesterday. -
Expression: 구매한 지 하루밖에 안 됐어요.
Pronunciation: gu-mae-han ji ha-ru-bak-ke an dwaess-eo-yo.
Meaning: It’s only been one day since I bought it. -
Expression: 아직 착용하지 않았어요.
Pronunciation: a-jik chak-yong-ha-ji an-ass-eo-yo.
Meaning: I haven’t worn it yet. -
Expression: 포장도 그대로 가지고 있어요.
Pronunciation: po-jang-do geu-dae-ro ga-ji-go iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: I still have the packaging as it was. -
Expression: 이 매장에서 구매했습니다.
Pronunciation: i mae-jang-e-seo gu-mae-haet-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I purchased it at this store. -
Expression: 보증서도 가지고 있습니다.
Pronunciation: bo-jeung-seo-do ga-ji-go iss-seum-ni-da.
Meaning: I also have the warranty card. -
Expression: 환불 기간이 언제까지인가요?
Pronunciation: hwan-bul gi-gan-i eon-je-kka-ji-in-ga-yo?
Meaning: Until when is the refund period? -
Expression: 혹시 영수증이 없으면 환불이 안 되나요?
Pronunciation: hok-si yeong-su-jeung-i eop-seu-myeon hwan-bul-i an doe-na-yo?
Meaning: By any chance, if I don’t have the receipt, can I not get a refund? -
Expression: 구매 내역 확인 가능하신가요?
Pronunciation: gu-mae nae-yeok hwa-gin ga-neung-ha-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: Can you check the purchase history?
Korean Culture Notes
Return Policies: Korean consumer protection laws generally allow returns/refunds within 7 days of purchase if the item is unused and in its original packaging, especially if there’s a defect. However, policies can vary slightly by store, particularly for items like electronics or watches where damage could be user-inflicted. Always check the store’s specific policy if possible.
Importance of Receipts: Having the original receipt (영수증 – yeong-su-jeung) is crucial for smooth returns or exchanges in Korea. While some larger stores might be able to look up transactions via credit card or membership details, the process is much simpler with the receipt.
Politeness is Key: Even when complaining or requesting a refund for a faulty item, maintaining a polite and calm demeanor is important in Korean culture. Using formal language (-요/-ㅂ니다 endings) and avoiding accusatory tones will generally lead to a better outcome. Start politely, explain the issue clearly, and state your desired resolution (refund/exchange).
Explaining Damage: Be clear that the damage (like a scratch) was present upon purchase or discovered shortly after, and not caused by your own misuse. Phrases like “처음부터 있었어요” (cheo-eum-bu-teo iss-eoss-eo-yo – It was like this from the beginning) can be helpful.
Real Conversation Example
Situation: A shopper (A) returns to a department store watch counter to ask for a refund for a watch bought the previous day, noticing a scratch on the face.
Roles: A: Shopper, B: Clerk
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Expression: A: 저기요, 죄송하지만 어제 여기서 산 시계 때문에 왔는데요.
Pronunciation: jeo-gi-yo, joe-song-ha-ji-man eo-je yeo-gi-seo san si-gye ttae-mun-e wat-neun-de-yo.
Meaning: A: Excuse me, I’m sorry but I came because of the watch I bought here yesterday. -
Expression: B: 네, 손님. 무슨 문제 있으신가요?
Pronunciation: ne, son-nim. mu-seun mun-je i-sseu-sin-ga-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, customer. Is there a problem? -
Expression: A: 네, 집에 와서 자세히 보니 시계 액정에 이렇게 흠집이 있더라고요.
Pronunciation: ne, jib-e wa-seo ja-se-hi bo-ni si-gye aek-jeong-e i-reo-ke heum-jib-i it-deo-ra-go-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, when I got home and looked closely, I saw there’s a scratch like this on the watch face. -
Expression: B: 아, 그러신가요? 한번 보여주시겠어요? (살펴본 후) 정말 흠집이 있네요.
Pronunciation: a, geu-reo-sin-ga-yo? han-beon bo-yeo-ju-si-gess-eo-yo? (sal-pyeo-bon hu) jeong-mal heum-jib-i in-ne-yo.
Meaning: B: Oh, is that so? Could you show it to me? (After examining) There really is a scratch. -
Expression: A: 네, 제가 낸 흠집은 아니고 처음부터 있었던 것 같아요. 그래서 환불을 받고 싶습니다. 영수증 여기 있어요.
Pronunciation: ne, je-ga naen heum-jib-eun a-ni-go cheo-eum-bu-teo iss-eot-deon geot gat-a-yo. geu-rae-seo hwan-bul-eul bat-go sip-seum-ni-da. yeong-su-jeung yeo-gi iss-eo-yo.
Meaning: A: Yes, it’s not a scratch I made; I think it was there from the beginning. Therefore, I would like to get a refund. Here is the receipt. -
Expression: B: 네, 영수증 확인했습니다. 구매하신 지 하루 되셨고, 제품 하자 확인되었으니 환불 처리 도와드리겠습니다. 결제하신 카드로 취소해 드릴까요?
Pronunciation: ne, yeong-su-jeung hwa-gin-haet-seum-ni-da. gu-mae-ha-sin ji ha-ru doe-syeot-go, je-pum ha-ja hwa-gin-doe-eoss-eu-ni hwan-bul cheo-ri do-wa-deu-ri-get-seum-ni-da. gyeol-je-ha-sin ka-deu-ro chwi-so-hae deu-ril-kka-yo?
Meaning: B: Yes, I’ve confirmed the receipt. It’s been one day since your purchase, and the product defect is confirmed, so I will help you process the refund. Shall I cancel it to the card you paid with? -
Expression: A: 네, 그렇게 해주세요. 감사합니다.
Pronunciation: 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 can feel intimidating, but knowing the right phrases makes it much easier! Try practicing these expressions by role-playing with a friend~ Imagine you are the shopper and they are the clerk. Focus on clearly stating the problem (the scratch!) and politely requesting the refund (환불해 주세요!). Remember to bring your ‘receipt’ (영수증) to the role-play too! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel if you ever need to use these phrases in a real store in Korea. 화이팅! (hwa-i-ting! – Fighting!/You can do it!)
