Which one should you use?
반납해 주세요 and 반납해 줘 are used specifically when the item being returned is something that was rented or borrowed. 다시 줘 is a less formal way of asking for something back.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite request, use 돌려줘요 or 돌려주세요, which are suitable for people you are not close to or who are older than you. 돌려주세요 is particularly polite and is often used when asking a stranger or a superior to return something. For highly formal situations, use 다시 주십시오.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the tone and politeness of the phrase by using different suffixes. Adding the suffix –요 to the end, as in 돌려줘요, makes the phrase polite. Using the suffix –세요, as in 돌려주세요, makes the request more formal and polite. To create a strong command, often used when someone is being stern or authoritative, you can add the suffix –라 to get 돌려줘라.
How do you pronounce it?
dollyeojwo
Did you know?
- The verb in 돌려줘 actually contains the concept of 'turning' or 'rotating'. It implies that the object should be turned around or sent back in the direction it came from, rather than just a simple physical hand-over.
- If an item was stolen, Koreans often use the verb 찾다, which means 'to find' or 'to reclaim', rather than 돌려줘.
- While 돌려줘 is perfect for a borrowed pen, using it for a gift would be a social error. Because it implies the item was a loan to be returned, using it for a present makes the gift seem temporary or transactional.
Examples in context
- 책을 돌려주세요.Please give the book back.
- 아, 미안! 자전거는 지금 집에 있어. 내일 줄게.Oh, sorry! The bike is at home. I'll give it to you tomorrow.
- 내 책 돌려줘.nae chaek dollyeojwo.Give me back my book.
- 빌린 물건 빨리 돌려줘.billin mulgeon ppalli dollyeojwo.Give back the borrowed item quickly.
- 그것 좀 돌려줘.geugeot jom dollyeojwo.Please give that back.
Example conversation
Two siblings are arguing in their living room.
- 도현 Do-hyeon내 게임기 돌려줘!nae geimgi dollyeojwo!Give me back my game console!
- 수빈 Su-bin잠시만 쓰고 돌려줄게.jamsiman sseugo dollyeojulge.I'll use it for a bit and then give it back.
- 도현 Do-hyeon안 돼, 지금 당장 돌려줘.an dwae, jigeum dangjang dollyeojwo.No, give it back right now.
- 수빈 Su-bin알았어, 여기 있어.arasseo, yeogi isseo.Fine, here it is.
