bǎoxiūqī: 保修期 - Warranty Period, Guarantee Period

• Keywords: 保修期, baoxiuqi, Chinese warranty, guarantee period in Chinese, product repair warranty, what is baoxiuqi, electronics warranty China, consumer rights China, 保修, 维修, 三包.
• Summary: 保修期 (bǎoxiūqī) is a fundamental Chinese term for “warranty period” or “guarantee period.” It refers to the specific timeframe after purchasing a product, like a phone or appliance, during which the manufacturer is obligated to provide free repairs for any quality-related issues. Understanding the `bǎoxiūqī` is a crucial part of consumer culture in China and essential for anyone buying electronics, vehicles, or other durable goods.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǎo xiū qī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4/5 (Practical)
• Concise Definition: The period of time during which a product is guaranteed to be repaired for free.
• In a Nutshell: Think of `保修期` as the “free repair window” for a new product. When you buy a new laptop, it has a `保修期` of, say, one year. If it breaks down within that year due to a manufacturing defect, you can take it back to the company, and they have to fix it at no cost to you. It's the promise of post-purchase support.

• 保 (bǎo): To protect, to guarantee, to ensure. This character signifies a promise or an assurance of quality and support.
• 修 (xiū): To repair, to fix, to mend. This character points to the specific action covered by the guarantee: fixing what is broken.
• 期 (qī): A period of time, a phase, a term. This character defines the timeframe for the guarantee.

When combined, 保 (guarantee) + 修 (repair) + 期 (period) literally and logically means “the guaranteed repair period.”

The concept of a `保修期` is not unique to China, but its role in the consumer experience has a distinct cultural flavor. In a market known for its vast range of products and price points, the `保修期` serves as a critical indicator of a product's quality and the seller's legitimacy. Compared to the Western concept of “warranty,” which is often a dense legal document, the `保修期` in everyday Chinese conversation is more direct and practical. It's less about abstract legal rights and more about a very concrete question: “If this breaks, how long do I have to get it fixed for free?” This term is central to the concept of 三包 (sānbāo), China's “Three Guarantees” policy for consumer protection, which legally mandates repair (修), replacement (换), and return (退) for certain products. The `保修期` is the timeframe that governs the first of these guarantees: repair. Asking about the `保修期` before a purchase is a standard, expected part of the bargaining and decision-making process, demonstrating a buyer's savviness. It separates the official goods (行货 hánghuò) with full support from gray-market imports (水货 shuǐhuò), which may have no warranty at all.

`保修期` is a high-frequency, practical term used in almost any purchasing context involving durable goods.

• At the Store: This is one of the first questions a savvy customer will ask when buying electronics, home appliances, or even a car. “这个手机的保修期是多久？” (How long is the warranty period for this phone?) is a standard inquiry.
• Customer Service: When a product malfunctions, your first thought is, “还在保修期内吗？” (Is it still within the warranty period?). This determines whether the repair will be free. You'll need your receipt or 发票 (fāpiào) as proof.
• Online Shopping: On e-commerce platforms like Taobao or JD.com, the `保修期` is always listed prominently on the product details page. It is a key factor for comparison between different sellers and brands.
• Formality: The term is neutral and can be used in both formal contexts (like a written contract) and very informal, everyday conversations with friends and family.

• Example 1:
  • 我的新电脑还在保修期内，所以修理是免费的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de xīn diànnǎo hái zài bǎoxiūqī nèi, suǒyǐ xiūlǐ shì miǎnfèi de.
  • English: My new computer is still within the warranty period, so the repair is free.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence illustrating the primary benefit of being within the `保修期`. 内 (nèi) means “within.”
• Example 2:
  • 买东西的时候，一定要问清楚保修期是多长时间。
  • Pinyin: Mǎi dōngxi de shíhòu, yīdìng yào wèn qīngchǔ bǎoxiūqī shì duō cháng shíjiān.
  • English: When you buy something, you must ask clearly how long the warranty period is.
  • Analysis: This is common advice given to shoppers in China, highlighting the term's practical importance.
• Example 3:
  • 真倒霉！我的手机刚过保修期就坏了。
  • Pinyin: Zhēn dǎoméi! Wǒ de shǒujī gāng guò bǎoxiūqī jiù huài le.
  • English: Such bad luck! My phone broke right after the warranty period expired.
  • Analysis: A very common complaint that captures the frustration of a product failing just outside the free repair window. 刚 (gāng)… 就 (jiù)… is a useful pattern for “as soon as… then…”.
• Example 4:
  • 这款洗衣机的保修期是三年，但是电机保修十年。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xǐyījī de bǎoxiūqī shì sān nián, dànshì diànjī bǎoxiū shí nián.
  • English: The warranty period for this model of washing machine is three years, but the motor is guaranteed for ten years.
  • Analysis: Shows how warranties can be tiered, with different `保修期` for different components of a single product.
• Example 5:
  • 请问，我可以花钱延长这个产品的保修期吗？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, wǒ kěyǐ huā qián yáncháng zhège chǎnpǐn de bǎoxiūqī ma?
  • English: Excuse me, can I pay to extend the warranty period for this product?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the concept of an “extended warranty,” a common upsell in electronics stores. 延长 (yáncháng) means “to extend.”
• Example 6:
  • 您的发票是保修期的唯一凭证，请一定保管好。
  • Pinyin: Nín de fāpiào shì bǎoxiūqī de wéiyī píngzhèng, qǐng yīdìng bǎoguǎn hǎo.
  • English: Your official receipt is the only proof for the warranty period, please be sure to keep it safe.
  • Analysis: This is a formal sentence you might hear from a cashier or read in a user manual. It stresses the importance of the 发票 (fāpiào).
• Example 7:
  • 如果产品在保修期内出现质量问题，我们公司负责免费维修。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ chǎnpǐn zài bǎoxiūqī nèi chūxiàn zhìliàng wèntí, wǒmen gōngsī fùzé miǎnfèi wéixiū.
  • English: If the product has a quality problem within the warranty period, our company is responsible for free repairs.
  • Analysis: A typical line from a company's official policy or a customer service script.
• Example 8:
  • 这个品牌的保修期比其他品牌短，我有点儿担心它的质量。
  • Pinyin: Zhège pǐnpái de bǎoxiūqī bǐ qítā pǐnpái duǎn, wǒ yǒudiǎnr dānxīn tā de zhìliàng.
  • English: This brand's warranty period is shorter than other brands; I'm a bit worried about its quality.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how the length of the `保修期` is often used as a proxy for judging a product's reliability.
• Example 9:
  • 保修期从您购买之日起计算。
  • Pinyin: Bǎoxiūqī cóng nín gòumǎi zhī rì qǐ jìsuàn.
  • English: The warranty period is calculated starting from the date of your purchase.
  • Analysis: A formal and precise definition of when the warranty begins. 之日 (zhī rì) is a formal way of saying “the day of.”
• Example 10:
  • 人为损坏不在保修期的保障范围之内。
  • Pinyin: Rénwéi sǔnhuài bù zài bǎoxiūqī de bǎozhàng fànwéi zhī nèi.
  • English: Man-made damage is not within the scope of coverage of the warranty period.
  • Analysis: This clarifies a key exclusion. Warranties cover manufacturing defects, not accidental damage caused by the user.

• `保修期 (bǎoxiūqī)` vs. `保质期 (bǎozhìqī)`: This is a critical distinction.
  • `保修期 (bǎoxiūqī)` is for repairs of durable goods (electronics, cars). The characters are “guarantee repair period.”
  • `保质期 (bǎozhìqī)` is the “shelf life” or “best before” date for consumable goods (food, drinks, medicine, cosmetics). The characters are “guarantee quality period.”
  • Mistake: Saying “这瓶牛奶的保修期是多久？” (What's the warranty period for this bottle of milk?). This is incorrect. You must use `保质期`.
• `保修期 (bǎoxiūqī)` vs. `退换期 (tuìhuànqī)`:
  • `保修期` (Warranty Period) is for repairs and is usually long (e.g., 1-3 years).
  • `退换期 (tuìhuànqī)` (Return/Exchange Period) is the short window after purchase (e.g., 7-15 days) during which you can return the product for a full refund or exchange it for a new one. Do not expect to get a new item a year later just because you are in the `保修期`; you will only get a repair.
• Warranty vs. `保修 (bǎoxiū)`: While “warranty” is the best translation, remember that `保修` has a strong emphasis on repair (修). A Western “warranty” might more readily offer a replacement, whereas the default expectation for `保修` is a fix. Replacement (换 huàn) is a separate possibility, often only if the item cannot be repaired.

• 保质期 (bǎozhìqī) - The “shelf life” or expiration date for consumable products. The most common point of confusion with `保修期`.
• 维修 (wéixiū) - The act of repairing or maintaining. This is the service you receive during the `保修期`.
• 发票 (fāpiào) - The official invoice/receipt, which is crucial proof needed to claim warranty service.
• 三包服务 (sānbāo fúwù) - The “Three Guarantees” policy in China ensuring consumer rights for repair, replacement, and return. `保修期` is a core part of this system.
• 客服 (kèfú) - Customer Service. The department or people you contact to initiate a warranty claim.
• 延长保修 (yáncháng bǎoxiū) - Extended Warranty. An optional service you can purchase to lengthen the original `保修期`.
• 行货 (hánghuò) - Officially licensed goods sold through proper channels, which always come with a valid `保修期`.
• 水货 (shuǐhuò) - “Gray market” goods. Products imported through unofficial channels, often cheaper but typically lacking a local `保修期`.