====== bǎoxiūqī: 保修期 - Warranty Period, Guarantee Period ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **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.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **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.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **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."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
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.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
`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 Sentences =====
  * **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.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **`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.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[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`.