refund

Compared meaning: money given back (noun).

比较义项：退还或偿还的款项（名词）。

• refund 本词

  Money a seller or provider gives back to a customer, typically after a return, cancellation, or overcharge; used in retail/consumer contexts.

  指卖家或服务方退还给顾客的钱，通常发生在退货、取消或多收费之后；用于零售、消费场景。

  I asked for a refund after the jacket arrived with a broken zipper.

  夹克送到时拉链坏了，我便要求退款。

• repayment

  Money paid back by a borrower to settle a debt or loan, often in scheduled installments; used in banking/financial contexts, not retail.

  指借款人偿还债务或贷款的钱，常按计划分期偿还；用于银行、金融场景，而非零售场景。

  She increased her monthly repayment to pay off the loan faster.

  她提高了每月还款额，以便更快还清贷款。

Both words mean money that is given back. Refund is money a seller gives back to a customer, usually after a return or overcharge. Repayment is money a borrower pays back to settle a loan or debt, often in scheduled parts.

两词都指“被返还的钱”，但语境不同：refund 是商家因退货、多收费等原因退还给顾客的钱，repayment 是欠款人按计划偿还给债主（如银行、贷款方）的钱，常带有分期、计划的意味。这里不比较两词作动词时的相关用法。

Compared meaning: to give money or something back (verb).

比较义项：把钱或物归还给原来拥有它的人（动词）。

• return

  General word for giving something back to whoever had it before; not limited to money, and works for objects, favors, or loans alike.

  泛指把东西归还给原本拥有它的人，不限于金钱，也可用于物品或恩惠。

  Please return my umbrella when you're done with it.

  你用完之后请把我的雨伞还给我。

• repay

  Specifically about paying back money that was borrowed or owed, often implying a debt or obligation; can also mean repaying a favor.

  专指偿还所借或所欠的钱款，带有债务或义务的意味，也可用于报答恩情。

  I promise to repay the money you lent me last month.

  我保证会把你上个月借给我的钱还给你。

• refund 本词

  Specifically used when a seller or business gives back money a customer has already paid, usually for returned or unsatisfactory goods.

  专指商家或卖方把顾客已支付的钱退还回去，通常用于退货或对商品不满意的情况。

  The store gave me a refund because the shoes were too small.

  因为鞋子太小，商店给我退了款。

All three words mean to give something back. Return is the most general word, for any object, money, or favor. Repay specifically means paying back borrowed money, or repaying a favor. Refund specifically means a seller gives back money a customer already paid.

这三个词都含“归还”之意，但对象和场合不同：return最通用，可指归还任何物品或钱款；repay专指偿还欠款，也可表示报答恩情；refund专指商家把顾客已付的货款退还。这里不比较repay的“报复”义项。