Borrowing and Returning Items
Learn to ask to borrow something, agree to lend, and return items gracefully — all in natural Korean.
Iru Helper Note
In Korean, borrowing and lending have separate verbs: 빌리다 (to borrow) and 빌려주다 (to lend/give a borrow). When asking to borrow, use: 혹시 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? (Could I borrow it for a moment?). When returning, the key phrase is 다 쓰고 돌려드릴게요 (I'll return it after I'm done using it).
혹시 펜 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? 금방 돌려드릴게요.
(Could I borrow a pen for a moment? I'll return it right away.)
🔄 What You'll Learn Today
Today you'll learn how to borrow and return items in Korean — asking politely, agreeing to lend, and returning gracefully. The key verbs are 빌리다 (to borrow), 빌려주다 (to lend), and 돌려주다 (to return something). You'll also use 잠깐 (just for a moment) and ~ㄹ게요 (I will ~) to make your promises about returning items feel natural and reliable.
📌 Borrowing & Returning Vocabulary
Expression | Meaning | Notes |
빌리다 | To borrow | 빌릴 수 있을까요? |
빌려주다 | To lend | 빌려줄게요 |
돌려주다 | To return (give back) | 돌려드릴게요 |
잠깐 | Just for a moment | 잠깐 빌릴 수 있어요? |
금방 | Right away / soon | 금방 돌려줄게요 |
다 쓰고 나서 | After finishing using | 다 쓰고 나서 돌려줄게요 |
조심히 쓸게요 | I'll use it carefully | Reassurance when borrowing |
고장 나면 | If it breaks | 고장 나면 말할게요 |
괜찮아요 | It's okay | When lending/declining |
언제까지 필요해요? | Until when do you need it? | Checking the timeline |
그냥 가지세요 | Just keep it | When giving rather than lending |
쓰고 돌아오면 | When you get back after using | Casual return arrangement |
잃어버리면 | If I lose it | Risk acknowledgment |
혹시 없어요? | Do you happen to have ~? | Asking if available |
💡 Key pattern: 빌릴 수 있을까요? = "Could I borrow~?" is softer and more natural than 빌려주세요 (please lend me) — use it when borrowing from someone you don't know well. Add 잠깐 (just a moment) or 금방 돌려드릴게요 (I'll return it right away) to reassure the lender.
💬 Conversations in Action
Conversation 1 — Borrowing a pen
A: 저기요, 혹시 펜 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? (Excuse me, could I borrow a pen for a moment?)
B: 아, 네, 여기요. (Oh, yes, here you go.)
A: 감사해요. 금방 돌려드릴게요. (Thank you. I'll return it right away.)
B: 괜찮아요, 천천히 쓰세요. (It's okay, take your time.)
Conversation 2 — Borrowing and returning a book
A: 혹시 그 책 빌릴 수 있어요? 잠깐 읽어보고 싶어서요. (Could I borrow that book? I want to read it for a bit.)
B: 물론이죠. 언제까지 필요해요? (Of course. Until when do you need it?)
A: 일주일 정도면 충분해요. 조심히 쓸게요. (About a week should be enough. I'll use it carefully.)
B: 알겠어요. 다 읽고 나서 돌려주면 돼요. (Okay. Just return it after you finish reading.)
🌏 Cultural Note — Lending Culture in Korea
In Korea, lending and borrowing among friends is common and casual — it's a sign of closeness. However, returning items promptly is important for maintaining trust. The phrase 고장 나면 말할게요 (I'll let you know if it breaks) or 잃어버리면 새 거로 사줄게요 (I'll buy you a new one if I lose it) shows responsibility and earns trust. Notably, Koreans sometimes say 그냥 가지세요 (just keep it) — especially for small items like pens or charging cables — which is a warm gesture, not just politeness.
<summary>Try This Speaking Exercise
For each situation below, use the expressions from this lesson.
A. Ask a classmate to borrow a pen.
<summary>Answer
혹시 펜 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? 금방 돌려드릴게요. (Could I borrow a pen for a moment? I'll return it right away.)
</summary>
B. Ask a friend if you can borrow their umbrella.
<summary>Answer
혹시 우산 좀 빌릴 수 있어요? 비가 갑자기 와서요. (Could I borrow your umbrella? It suddenly started raining.)
</summary>
C. Reassure someone you'll use their item carefully.
<summary>Answer
조심히 쓸게요. 걱정하지 마세요. (I'll use it carefully. Don't worry.)
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D. Promise to return something right away.
<summary>Answer
금방 돌려드릴게요. 잠깐만요. (I'll return it right away. Just a moment.)
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E. Say you'll return something after finishing using it.
<summary>Answer
다 쓰고 나서 돌려드릴게요. (I'll return it after I'm done using it.)
</summary>
F. Ask someone until when they need a borrowed item back.
<summary>Answer
언제까지 돌려드리면 될까요? (By when should I return it to you?)
</summary>
G. Agree to lend something to a friend.
<summary>Answer
그럼요, 빌려드릴게요. 조심히 쓰세요. (Of course, I'll lend it to you. Use it carefully.)
</summary>
H. Return something and thank the person.
<summary>Answer
여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 정말 감사해요. (Here, I'm returning it. Thank you so much for lending it.)
</summary>
I. Tell someone they can just keep a small item.
<summary>Answer
괜찮아요, 그냥 가지세요. 작은 거니까요. (It's okay, just keep it. It's a small thing.)
</summary>
J. Apologize because you need to borrow something again.
<summary>Answer
또 빌려도 될까요? 죄송한데 충전기가 없어서요. (Could I borrow it again? I'm sorry but I don't have a charger.)
</summary>
Expression Reference
Expression | Nuance/Key |
빌릴 수 있을까요? | Soft borrow request |
잠깐 | Just a moment |
금방 돌려드릴게요 | Return right away |
조심히 쓸게요 | I'll be careful |
다 쓰고 나서 | After finishing |
언제까지요? | Until when? |
빌려줄게요 | I'll lend it |
그냥 가지세요 | Just keep it |
돌려드리다 | To return (humble) |
또 빌려도 돼요? | Can I borrow again? |
Speaking Tip
When borrowing, always include a reassurance: 금방 돌려드릴게요 (I'll return it right away) or 조심히 쓸게요 (I'll use it carefully). This shows respect for the lender's property and makes them feel comfortable saying yes. Without reassurance, even polite requests can feel presumptuous.
</summary>
Want more reps?
Practice the full borrow-use-return cycle out loud three times: (1) 혹시 [item] 빌릴 수 있을까요? (2) 조심히 쓸게요 (3) 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 감사해요. Swap in different items each time: 펜, 우산, 충전기.
📦 Practice Hub — Borrowing and Returning Items
Exercise 1 — Choose the Right Expression
Pick the best word or phrase for each situation.
A. You want to say "to borrow." You say: ___ 릴 수 있을까요?
<summary>Answer
빌 → 빌릴 수 있을까요? (Could I borrow it?)
B. You want to say "to lend." You say: 빌려 ___ 게요.
<summary>Answer
줄 → 빌려줄게요. (I'll lend it to you.)
C. You want to say "I'll return it right away." You say: ___ 돌려드릴게요.
<summary>Answer
금방 → 금방 돌려드릴게요. (I'll return it right away.)
D. You want to say "just for a moment." You say: ___ 빌릴 수 있어요?
<summary>Answer
잠깐 → 잠깐 빌릴 수 있어요? (Could I borrow it just for a moment?)
E. You want to say "I'll use it carefully." You say: ___ 쓸게요.
<summary>Answer
조심히 → 조심히 쓸게요. (I'll use it carefully.)
F. You want to say "after I'm done using it." You say: 다 ___ 나서.
<summary>Answer
쓰고 → 다 쓰고 나서 (after finishing using it)
G. You want to say "until when do you need it?" You say: ___ 까지 필요해요?
<summary>Answer
언제 → 언제까지 필요해요? (Until when do you need it?)
H. You want to say "just keep it." You say: 그냥 ___ 세요.
<summary>Answer
가지 → 그냥 가지세요. (Just keep it.)
I. You want to say "to return something." You say: ___ 드릴게요.
<summary>Answer
돌려 → 돌려드릴게요. (I'll return it.)
J. You want to ask "can I borrow it again?" You say: 또 빌려 ___ 될까요?
<summary>Answer
도 → 또 빌려도 될까요? (Can I borrow it again?)
Quick Reference
Expression | Meaning |
빌리다 | To borrow |
빌려주다 | To lend |
돌려주다 | To return |
잠깐 | Just a moment |
금방 | Right away |
조심히 쓸게요 | I'll be careful |
다 쓰고 나서 | After finishing |
언제까지요? | Until when? |
그냥 가지세요 | Just keep it |
또 빌려도 돼요? | Can I borrow again? |
Pitfall
빌리다 (to borrow) and 빌려주다 (to lend) are easy to confuse. YOU borrow = 빌리다. YOU lend = 빌려주다. Think of 빌려주다 as "give a borrow." So: 저는 빌려요 (I borrow) vs. 제가 빌려드릴게요 (I will lend to you — I'll give you a borrow). Get the direction right!
Exercise 2 — Korean → English Translation
Translate each sentence into natural English.
A. 혹시 펜 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요?
<summary>Answer
Could I borrow a pen for a moment by any chance?
B. 금방 돌려드릴게요.
<summary>Answer
I'll return it right away.
C. 조심히 쓸게요. 걱정하지 마세요.
<summary>Answer
I'll use it carefully. Don't worry.
D. 다 쓰고 나서 돌려드릴게요.
<summary>Answer
I'll return it after I'm done using it.
E. 언제까지 필요해요?
<summary>Answer
Until when do you need it?
F. 그냥 가지세요. 작은 거니까요.
<summary>Answer
Just keep it. It's a small thing.
G. 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 감사해요.
<summary>Answer
Here, I'm returning it. Thank you for lending it.
H. 물론이죠. 조심히 쓰세요.
<summary>Answer
Of course. Use it carefully.
I. 또 빌려도 될까요? 죄송한데요.
<summary>Answer
Could I borrow it again? I'm sorry.
J. 일주일 정도면 충분해요.
<summary>Answer
About a week should be enough.
Vocabulary Cheat Sheet
Word | Meaning |
빌리다 | To borrow |
빌려주다 | To lend |
돌려주다 | To return |
잠깐 | A moment |
금방 | Right away |
조심히 | Carefully |
충분하다 | Enough |
걱정하다 | To worry |
물론이죠 | Of course |
가지다 | To keep/have |
Grammar Tip
~ㄹ게요 makes a promise or declaration: 돌려드릴게요 (I WILL return it — it's my promise to you). This ending is warmer and more committed than the plain future ~ㄹ 거예요. Whenever you borrow something, end with ~ㄹ게요 to make the other person feel secure: 금방 돌려드릴게요 = "I promise I'll return it right away."
Exercise 3 — Complete the Sentence
Fill in the blank with the correct word or ending.
A. 혹시 펜 잠깐 ___ 수 있을까요? (Could I borrow a pen for a moment?)
<summary>Answer
빌릴 → 빌릴 수 있을까요?
B. ___ 돌려드릴게요. (I'll return it right away.)
<summary>Answer
금방 → 금방 돌려드릴게요.
C. ___ 쓸게요. 걱정하지 마세요. (I'll use it carefully. Don't worry.)
<summary>Answer
조심히 → 조심히 쓸게요.
D. 다 ___ 나서 돌려드릴게요. (I'll return it after I'm done using it.)
<summary>Answer
쓰고 → 다 쓰고 나서 돌려드릴게요.
E. ___ 까지 필요해요? (Until when do you need it?)
<summary>Answer
언제 → 언제까지 필요해요?
F. 그냥 ___ 세요. 작은 거니까요. (Just keep it. It's a small thing.)
<summary>Answer
가지 → 그냥 가지세요.
G. 여기요, ___ 드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 감사해요. (Here, returning it. Thank you for lending.)
<summary>Answer
돌려 → 돌려드릴게요.
H. 물론이죠. ___ 쓰세요. (Of course. Use it carefully.)
<summary>Answer
조심히 → 조심히 쓰세요.
I. 또 ___ 도 될까요? 죄송한데요. (Could I borrow it again? I'm sorry.)
<summary>Answer
빌려 → 또 빌려도 될까요?
J. 일주일 정도면 ___ 해요. (About a week should be enough.)
<summary>Answer
충분 → 충분해요.
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
혹시 ~빌릴 수 있을까요? | Soft borrow request |
금방 돌려드릴게요 | Reassuring promise |
조심히 쓸게요 | Careful use promise |
다 쓰고 나서... | After finishing |
언제까지요? | Checking timeline |
그냥 가지세요 | Gift instead of loan |
Production Tip
Three-step borrow cycle: (1) 혹시 [item] 빌릴 수 있을까요? (2) 금방 돌려드릴게요/조심히 쓸게요 (3) 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 감사해요. Practice all three steps with: 펜, 우산, 충전기, 책. Four items × three steps = full fluency.
Exercise 4 — Dialogue Completion
Fill in the missing line.
A. A: 저기요, 혹시 펜 빌릴 수 있을까요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
아, 여기요. 괜찮아요, 천천히 쓰세요. (Oh, here you go. It's okay, take your time.)
B. A: 우산 빌려도 돼요? 비가 와서요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
물론이죠! 조심히 쓰고 나중에 돌려주면 돼요. (Of course! Use it carefully and just return it later.)
C. A: [Returning a book] 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
감사해요. 재미있었어요? (Thank you. Was it interesting?)
D. A: 언제까지 필요해요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
내일까지면 충분해요. 조심히 쓸게요. (Until tomorrow is enough. I'll use it carefully.)
E. A: 충전기 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
네, 여기요. 금방 필요해요? (Yes, here you go. Do you need it right away?)
F. A: 빌려주셔서 정말 감사해요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
별말씀을요. 필요하면 또 빌려가도 돼요. (Don't mention it. If you need it, feel free to borrow it again.)
G. A: 책 다 읽으셨어요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
네, 다 읽었어요. 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 재미있었어요! (Yes, I finished reading it. Here, returning it. It was interesting!)
H. A: 또 빌려도 될까요? 죄송한데요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
괜찮아요. 필요하면 언제든지 빌려가세요. (It's okay. Borrow it anytime you need.)
I. A: 이거 반납할게요. 정말 잘 썼어요. B: ___
<summary>Answer
다행이에요. 앞으로도 필요하면 말해요. (I'm glad. If you need it going forward, let me know.)
J. A: 혹시 자전거 빌릴 수 있을까요? B: ___
<summary>Answer
자전거요? 언제까지 필요해요? (A bicycle? Until when do you need it?)
Useful Phrases
Phrase | Meaning |
천천히 쓰세요 | Take your time using it |
나중에 돌려주면 돼요 | Just return it later |
내일까지면 충분해요 | Until tomorrow is fine |
필요하면 또 빌려가도 돼요 | Borrow again if needed |
다행이에요 | I'm glad |
앞으로도 말해요 | Let me know going forward |
Conversation Tip
When returning something in Korean, don't just hand it back silently. Say: 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 감사해요. This two-part return — the handback + the thanks — is the polite and warm way. If the item was particularly useful, add: 덕분에 잘 썼어요 (Thanks to you, I made good use of it).
Exercise 5 — Free Speaking Practice
Answer each prompt out loud in Korean.
A. Ask someone if you can borrow their phone charger.
<summary>Suggested answer
혹시 충전기 잠깐 빌릴 수 있을까요? 핸드폰 배터리가 없어서요. (Could I borrow your charger for a moment? My phone has no battery.)
B. Reassure someone that you'll return it soon.
<summary>Suggested answer
걱정하지 마세요. 금방 돌려드릴게요. 조심히 쓸게요. (Don't worry. I'll return it right away. I'll use it carefully.)
C. Agree to lend something and ask them to be careful.
<summary>Suggested answer
그럼요, 빌려드릴게요. 조심히 쓰세요. (Of course, I'll lend it. Use it carefully.)
D. Return a borrowed umbrella and thank the person.
<summary>Suggested answer
여기요, 우산 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 정말 감사해요. 덕분에 잘 썼어요. (Here, returning the umbrella. Thank you so much for lending it. Thanks to you, I made good use of it.)
E. Ask when the person needs the item back.
<summary>Suggested answer
언제까지 돌려드리면 될까요? (By when should I return it?)
F. Tell someone they can just keep a small item.
<summary>Suggested answer
그냥 가지세요. 작은 거니까요. 필요하실 것 같아서요. (Just keep it. It's a small thing. I thought you might need it.)
G. Apologize and ask to borrow something again.
<summary>Suggested answer
죄송한데 또 빌려도 될까요? 제 거를 깜빡하고 안 가져왔어요. (I'm sorry, could I borrow it again? I forgot to bring mine.)
H. Tell someone to take their time returning something.
<summary>Suggested answer
천천히 쓰고 돌려주면 돼요. 급하지 않아요. (Use it at your leisure and just return it. There's no rush.)
I. Ask if someone has a pen you can borrow.
<summary>Suggested answer
혹시 펜 없어요? 잠깐만 빌릴 수 있을까요? (Do you happen to have a pen? Could I borrow it just for a moment?)
J. Do the full borrow-return cycle in one turn.
<summary>Suggested answer
혹시 우산 빌릴 수 있을까요? 금방 돌려드릴게요. [later] 여기요, 돌려드릴게요. 빌려주셔서 정말 감사해요. (Could I borrow your umbrella? I'll return it right away. [later] Here, returning it. Thank you so much for lending it.)
Sentence Starters
Starter | Use for |
혹시 ~빌릴 수 있을까요? | Soft borrow |
금방 돌려드릴게요 | Promise to return |
조심히 쓸게요 | Careful use |
여기요, 돌려드릴게요 | Returning item |
그냥 가지세요 | Keep it |
언제까지 필요해요? | Timeline check |
Speaking Challenge
Role-play a full borrowing scenario in Korean with no pausing: (1) ask to borrow a specific item with a reason, (2) give two reassurances (금방 + 조심히), (3) have the person agree, (4) return it later with thanks + 덕분에. All four steps without stopping.
빌리고 돌려주는 작은 대화에서도 한국어로 따뜻하게 소통할 수 있어요. ✨
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