tuìhuò: 退货 - To Return Goods, Product Return

• Keywords: 退货, tuìhuò, return goods China, how to return something in Chinese, Chinese for product return, refund China, Taobao return policy, exchange vs return Chinese, Chinese shopping vocabulary, HSK 4.
• Summary: Learn how to say “return goods” in Chinese with the essential term 退货 (tuìhuò). This page covers everything you need to know about product returns in China, from understanding the famous “seven-day no-reason return” policy for online shopping on platforms like Taobao, to knowing how to handle a return in a physical store. Master this crucial piece of Chinese shopping vocabulary and navigate consumer life in China with confidence.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tuìhuò
• Part of Speech: Verb-object compound (functions as a verb or noun)
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: To return purchased merchandise to the seller for a refund.
• In a Nutshell: 退货 (tuìhuò) is the standard, everyday term for returning something you've bought. It's a direct and practical word you'll encounter constantly, especially in the world of Chinese e-commerce. Think of it as the button you click online or the phrase you say at the customer service counter when a product isn't right. It literally means “retreat goods.”

• 退 (tuì): This character means “to retreat,” “to move back,” or “to withdraw.” The radical `⻌` (chuò) is related to walking or movement, giving the sense of physically moving something back.
• 货 (huò): This character means “goods,” “merchandise,” or “products.” The traditional form is `貨`. It's composed of `化` (huà - to transform) over `贝` (bèi - shell, ancient money). The logic is something that is transformed or created in exchange for money—goods!

When combined, 退货 (tuìhuò) creates a very clear and logical meaning: to “retreat the goods” back to where they came from.

While not a deep philosophical concept, 退货 is central to modern Chinese consumer culture. The rise of e-commerce giants like Taobao (淘宝), JD.com (京东), and Pinduoduo (拼多多) has made returning items an incredibly common and streamlined process. The most significant cultural point is the “七天无理由退货” (qī tiān wú lǐyóu tuìhuò) policy, which translates to “Seven-Day No-Reason Return.” This is a consumer protection law in China for most online purchases, mandating that sellers must accept returns within seven days of receipt, regardless of the buyer's reason. This contrasts sharply with the past, where returns were often difficult and depended on the store owner's goodwill. In the West, return policies are common, but China's system is notable for its logistical efficiency. Often, a customer can request a return in an app, and a `快递` (kuàidì - courier) will arrive at their door, sometimes within the hour, to pick up the package. This has made Chinese consumers very comfortable with buying items online to try them, knowing that the 退货 process is fast and easy.

退货 is a neutral, transactional term used in both formal and informal settings.

This is the most common context. In apps like Taobao, you will find a button labeled 申请退货 (shēnqǐng tuìhuò), meaning “Apply for a return.” You'll then select a reason, such as `质量问题` (quality issue) or `尺寸不符` (size doesn't fit).

When at a physical store, you can approach the staff and say, “你好，这个东西我想退货。” (Nǐ hǎo, zhège dōngxi wǒ xiǎng tuìhuò - Hello, I'd like to return this item.) You will almost always need to present the receipt (`小票 xiǎopiào`).

The term can also act as a noun. For example, “这个退货处理得很快。” (Zhège tuìhuò chǔlǐ de hěn kuài - This return was processed very quickly.)

• Example 1:
  • 我想退货，这件衣服太小了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng tuìhuò, zhè jiàn yīfu tài xiǎo le.
  • English: I want to return this, this piece of clothing is too small.
  • Analysis: A classic and straightforward use of 退货 as a verb in a common shopping scenario.
• Example 2:
  • 请问，你们的退货政策是什么？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, nǐmen de tuìhuò zhèngcè shì shénme?
  • English: Excuse me, what is your return policy?
  • Analysis: Here, 退货 functions as part of a compound noun, `退货政策` (tuìhuò zhèngcè - return policy). A very useful question for any shopper.
• Example 3:
  • 如果有质量问题，你可以随时退货。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ yǒu zhìliàng wèntí, nǐ kěyǐ suíshí tuìhuò.
  • English: If there are quality issues, you can return the goods at any time.
  • Analysis: This sentence links a common reason for a return, `质量问题` (zhìliàng wèntí), with the action of 退货.
• Example 4:
  • 你必须在收到商品七天内申请退货。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bìxū zài shōudào shāngpǐn qī tiān nèi shēnqǐng tuìhuò.
  • English: You must apply for the return within seven days of receiving the product.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the famous “seven-day” rule. `申请退货` (shēnqǐng tuìhuò) means “to apply for a return.”
• Example 5:
  • 退货的运费是谁出？
  • Pinyin: Tuìhuò de yùnfèi shì shéi chū?
  • English: Who pays for the return shipping fee?
  • Analysis: 退货 is used as a noun modifier here. `运费` (yùnfèi) is the shipping fee, a critical question in any online return.
• Example 6:
  • 我不喜欢这个颜色，所以我退货了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège yánsè, suǒyǐ wǒ tuìhuò le.
  • English: I don't like this color, so I returned it.
  • Analysis: Shows a simple, personal reason for a return, demonstrating the “no-reason” return concept in practice.
• Example 7:
  • 卖家已经同意了我的退货申请。
  • Pinyin: Màijiā yǐjīng tóngyìle wǒ de tuìhuò shēnqǐng.
  • English: The seller has already approved my return request.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes a key step in the online return process. `卖家` (màijiā) is “seller.”
• Example 8:
  • 这个东西不能退货，因为是打折商品。
  • Pinyin: Zhège dōngxi bùnéng tuìhuò, yīnwèi shì dǎzhé shāngpǐn.
  • English: This item cannot be returned because it's a discounted product.
  • Analysis: An important exception to know. Final sale or discounted items (`打折商品 dǎzhé shāngpǐn`) are often non-returnable.
• Example 9:
  • 退货太麻烦了，我还是留着吧。
  • Pinyin: Tuìhuò tài máfan le, wǒ háishì liúzhe ba.
  • English: Returning it is too much trouble, I'll just keep it.
  • Analysis: Here, 退货 is clearly used as a noun, the “act of returning.” `麻烦` (máfan) means troublesome.
• Example 10:
  • 收到退货后，我们会马上给您退款。
  • Pinyin: Shōudào tuìhuò hòu, wǒmen huì mǎshàng gěi nín tuìkuǎn.
  • English: After receiving the returned goods, we will immediately give you a refund.
  • Analysis: This clarifies the relationship between returning goods (退货) and getting money back (`退款 tuìkuǎn`).

• `退货` (tuìhuò) vs. `换货` (huànhuò): This is the most critical distinction.
  • 退货 (tuìhuò): To return goods for a refund. You give the item back and get your money back.
  • 换货 (huànhuò): To exchange goods. You give the item back and get a different one (e.g., a different size or color).
  • Incorrect: 我想退货一个大一点的尺码。(Wǒ xiǎng tuìhuò yīgè dà yīdiǎn de chǐmǎ.) → “I want to return a bigger size.” This is confusing.
  • Correct: 我想换一个大一点的尺码。(Wǒ xiǎng huàn yīgè dà yīdiǎn de chǐmǎ.) → “I want to exchange for a bigger size.”
• `退` (tuì) is a Verb, `退货` (tuìhuò) is a Verb-Object:
  • `退` is the action “to return.” It can be used with other objects: `退钱` (return money), `退票` (return a ticket), `退房` (check out of a hotel room).
  • `退货` specifically means to return *goods*. You can't use it for returning a movie ticket.
  • Incorrect: 我要去电影院退货。(Wǒ yào qù diànyǐngyuàn tuìhuò.)
  • Correct: 我要去电影院退票。(Wǒ yào qù diànyǐngyuàn tuìpiào.)

• 换货 (huànhuò) - To exchange goods. The direct counterpart to returning for a refund.
• 退款 (tuìkuǎn) - To refund money. This is the financial result of a successful 退货.
• 七天无理由退货 (qī tiān wú lǐyóu tuìhuò) - The famous “Seven-Day No-Reason Return” policy for online shopping.
• 客服 (kèfú) - Customer service. The person or department you contact to initiate a 退货.
• 质量问题 (zhìliàng wèntí) - Quality issue/problem. A very common and legitimate reason for 退货.
• 运费 (yùnfèi) - Shipping fee. A key consideration when returning online purchases.
• 快递 (kuàidì) - Courier, express delivery. The service that picks up your 退货 package.
• 小票 (xiǎopiào) - Receipt. Essential for in-store returns.
• 假货 (jiǎhuò) - Fake/counterfeit goods. A very serious reason to demand a 退货.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - To apply. Often used in the phrase `申请退货` (apply for a return).