Shopping in French
Shopping : how to store in French
Whether it's for fun or for necessity, shopping is a must on your to-do list while abroad. However, it can be a very pleasant activity or a very tedious one when you don't understand what the salesperson is trying to tell you or what department you are in. It will be essential for you to know the basic vocabulary and some useful French expressions for shopping in French in order to communicate with the staff and thus avoid any bad surprise and misunderstandings !
Shopping: French Vocabulary
Before using common expressions, it is important to know some useful words that will help you communicate and understand your surroundings when shopping in an French-speaking country.
Verbs
Faire du shopping = to go shopping
Porter un vêtement = to wear a garment
Payer par carte = to pay by card
Payer en espèces = to pay with cash
Acheter = to buy
The people
Client(e) = customer
Caissier(ère)= cashier
Un gérant = manager
Le vendeur / la vendeuse = Salesman/ saleswoman
The clothes
Un jean = a blue jean
Une robe = a dress
Une jupe = a skirt
Une veste = a jacket
Une chemise = a shirt
Une botte = a boot
Une chaussette = a sock
Un pullover = a sweater / a jumper (UK)
Les sous-vêtements = underwear
Un tee shirt = a tee-shirt
Un manteau = a coat
Un pantalon = a pair of trousers
Une basket de sport = sneakers (US) / trainers (UK)
Accessories
Une écharpe = a scarf
Des gants = gloves
Un bonnet = a hat
Une ceinture = a belt
Un sac à main = handbag
Un portefeuille = a wallet
Special words
Les soldes = sales
L’étiquette = a tag
La cabine d'essayage = The fitting room
La taille (de vêtements) = size
Un code-barres = a barcode
Une réduction = discount
Un article = an item
Useful situations / expressions for shopping in French
Now you know more about the world and the words used for shopping. Super! Now it's time to use these words in situations.
Finding a store to shop in
Bonjour, excusez-moi, savez-vous où se trouve le centre commercial ? → Hi/Hello, excuse me, do you know where the mall (US)/shopping center (UK) is?
Excusez-moi, savez-vous où se trouve le centre commercial le plus proche ? →Excuse me, do you know where the nearest shopping center (US)/ center (UK) is?
Responding to a salesperson in French
Often, the salesperson will offer to help you.
Puis-je vous aider ? → May I help you?
Vous cherchez quelque chose en particulier ? → Are you looking for something in particular?
Depending on your needs, you can answer :
Non merci, je ne fais que regarder. → No thanks, I'm just browsing/looking.
Oui, je cherche _ → Yes, I'm looking for
Ask a salesperson for information
Excusez-moi, je cherche le rayon des jeans. →Excuse me, I'm looking for the blue jeans department.
Excusez-moi, où se trouvent les caisses ? → Excuse me, where is the cash register?
Pourriez-vous me dire où se trouve la cabine d’essayage ? →Could you tell me where the fitting room is?
Combien ça coûte ? →How much does this cost?
Ceci est-il soldé ? →Is this on sale?
When it's time to pay
Est-ce que je peux payer par carte ? → Can I pay by card?
Puis-je payer en espèces ? → Can I pay with cash?
Pouvez-vous l’emballer ? → Can you wrap it?
Si ça ne va pas, puis-je le ramener et me faire rembourser ? → If it doesn't fit, can I bring it back and get a refund?
Est-il possible de rendre l’article ? → Is it possible to return the item?
Size guide: charts and conversion of English and American sizes
Now that you're up to speed on the words and phrases useful for shopping in French, it's important to know that each country has its own system of measurement. Although they are usually written on the label, it's always a good idea to be prepared to avoid any uncertainty.
European size | English size | American size |
---|---|---|
32 | 6 | 2 |
34 | 8 | 4 |
36 | 10 | 6 |
38 | 12 | 8 |
40 | 14 | 10 |
42 | 16 | 12 |
44 | 18 | 14 |
You now know the basics to shop with peace of mind. Don't forget the rules of politeness when addressing salespeople and don't be afraid to talk to them, even if it may seem difficult at first with the bustle that often reigns in a store! On our blog, you can find even more tips and vocabulary cards to prepare you for the different situations you may encounter abroad. And now, what if you discover how to order food in French?