Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 退款 | tuìkuǎn |
| 退錢 / 退钱 | tuìqián |
| 償還 / 偿还 | chánghuán |
In Chinese, several terms are used depending on the context. The standard way to describe a refund, such as getting money back for a purchase or an overpayment, is to use 退款. In e-commerce contexts like Taobao or JD.com, you may see the phrase 申请退款 to mean 'to apply for a refund'. The noun form of 退款 also refers to the actual amount of money being returned.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 退款 is composed of 退 (to return/retreat) and 款 (funds/sum of money). Similarly, the colloquial version 退钱 combines 退 (to return/retreat) and 钱 (money).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the nature of the transaction. 退款 is the standard term for a refund regarding a purchase or overpayment. In contrast, 偿还 is used specifically when referring to repaying a debt or compensating for a loss. While 退款 and 退钱 both involve returning money, the former is used for formal transactions and the latter for casual or heated situations.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In southern regions such as Guangdong and Hong Kong, the term 退款单 is used to refer to a refund receipt or a refund form.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
tuìkuǎn
Did you know?
- Chinese e-commerce culture has a specific 'refund only' option 仅退款 where a buyer asks for their money back without returning the physical item.
- The word 退款 uses the character 款, which can also mean 'style' or 'fashion' in different contexts. This connection is purely coincidental, but it shows how a single character can bridge financial and aesthetic worlds.
- The character 退 in 退款 is the same word used for 'retreating' in a military context or 'resigning' from a job.
Examples in context
- 我要申请退款。I want to apply for a refund.
- 请退还我的定金款项。Please refund my deposit.
- 他们没有按时发货，所以我要求退钱。They didn't deliver on time, so I requested a refund.
- 如果不满意，可享受原价返还。If unsatisfied, you can enjoy a full refund.
- 请给我一份退款单。Please give me a refund receipt.
- 退款会在三天内完成。Tuìkuǎn huì zài sān tiān nèi wánchéng.The refund will be completed within three days.
- 请问什么时候可以退款？Qǐngwèn shénme shíhòu kěyǐ tuìkuǎn?May I ask when the refund can be made?
Example conversation
俊杰 asks 雨婷 about an online shopping issue in a cafe.
- 俊杰 Junjie雨婷，這件衣服怎麼退款？Yǔtíng, zhè jiàn yīfú zěnme tuìkuǎn?Yuting, how do I get a refund for this piece of clothing?
- 雨婷 Yuting你要在應用程式上申請退款。Nǐ yào zài yìngyòng chéngshù shàng shēnqǐng tuìkuǎn.You need to apply for a refund on the app.
- 俊杰 Junjie申請之後，錢會退給我嗎？Shēnqǐng zhīhòu, qián huì tuì gěi wǒ ma?After applying, will the money be returned to me?
- 雨婷 Yuting會的，很快就會退款。Huì de, hěn kuài jiù huì tuìkuǎn.Yes, the refund will be processed very quickly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “refund” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
