What is this in Korean logo
Play GameGet Free Book

취소하다 vs 환불받다: Canceling vs Getting a Refund

취소하다 (chwi-so-ha-da, chwisohada) · 환불받다 (hwan-bul-bat-da, hwanbulbatda)

취소하다 means to cancel a reservation or order, while 환불받다 means to get a refund of money already paid.

Comparison of Korean words 취소하다 and 환불받다 with usage examples

Word-by-word breakdown

One lane per word — no nested boxes, just the gist.

취소하다(chwi-so-ha-da, chwisohada)

To cancel or stop a reservation, order, or appointment

When to use

Cancel reservation, Cancel order, Cancel appointment

The nuance

Use 취소하다 when stopping or canceling something before it proceeds. It does not inherently mean receiving a refund.

환불받다(hwan-bul-bat-da, hwanbulbatda)

To receive a refund for money already paid

When to use

Getting money back after payment, Refund after product return, Refund due to service dissatisfaction

The nuance

Use 환불받다 when you get money back after payment. It refers specifically to the refund process, regardless of cancellation.

Real-world examples

  • 예약을 취소했어요.

    ye-yak-eul chwi-so-haess-eo-yo., ye yak eul chwi so haess eo yo.

    It means stopping a reservation, so '취소하다' is appropriate.

  • 예약을 환불받았어요.

    ye-yak-eul hwan-bul-bat-ass-eo-yo., ye yak eul hwan bul bat ass eo yo.

    You don't say 'get a refund for reservation' directly; you cancel the reservation first, then get a refund.

  • 상품을 환불받았어요.

    sang-pum-eul hwan-bul-bat-ass-eo-yo., sang pum eul hwan bul bat ass eo yo.

    Getting money back after buying a product fits '환불받다'.

  • 상품을 취소했어요.

    sang-pum-eul chwi-so-haess-eo-yo., sang pum eul chwi so haess eo yo.

    Canceling an order for a product is correctly expressed with '취소하다'.

  • 서비스를 취소받았어요.

    seo-bi-seu-reul chwi-so-bat-ass-eo-yo., seo bi seu reul chwi so bat ass eo yo.

    There is no '취소받다'; correct expression is '서비스를 취소했어요'.

  • 결제 후 환불받았어요.

    gyeol-je hu hwan-bul-bat-ass-eo-yo., gyeol je hu hwan bul bat ass eo yo.

    Appropriate for getting money back after payment.

  • 약속을 환불받았어요.

    yak-sok-eul hwan-bul-bat-ass-eo-yo., yak sok eul hwan bul bat ass eo yo.

    Appointments are not refundable, so '환불받다' cannot be used.

  • 주문을 취소했어요.

    ju-mun-eul chwi-so-haess-eo-yo., ju mun eul chwi so haess eo yo.

    Stopping an order is correctly expressed with '취소하다'.

Quick quiz

  1. Which word do you use to stop a reservation?

    예약을 중단하려면 어떤 단어를 써야 할까요?(ye-yak-euljung-dan-ha-ryeo-myeoneo-tteondan-eo-reulsseo-yahal-kka-yo?, yeyakeuljungdanharyeomyeoneotteondaneoreulsseoyahalkkayo?)

  2. Which word do you use when you want your money back after buying a product?

    상품을 산 후 돈을 돌려받고 싶을 때 어떤 말을 쓰나요?(sang-pum-eulsanhudon-euldol-ryeo-bat-gosip-eulttaeeo-tteonmal-eulsseu-na-yo?, sangpumeulsanhudoneuldolryeobatgosipeulttaeeotteonmaleulsseunayo?)

  3. How do you say you want your money back after canceling a service reservation?

    서비스 예약을 취소한 후 돈을 돌려받고 싶으면 어떻게 말해야 할까요?(seo-bi-seuye-yak-eulchwi-so-hanhudon-euldol-ryeo-bat-gosip-eu-myeoneo-tteoh-gemal-hae-yahal-kka-yo?, seobiseuyeyakeulchwisohanhudoneuldolryeobatgosipeumyeoneotteohgemalhaeyahalkkayo?)

More comparisons to explore

View all word comparisons →