{"id":117141,"date":"2023-07-25T18:49:28","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T22:49:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/french-shopping-vocabulary-words-phrases-list\/"},"modified":"2025-02-23T05:03:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-23T10:03:35","slug":"french-shopping-vocabulary-words-phrases-list","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/french\/french-shopping-vocabulary-words-phrases-list\/","title":{"rendered":"58 French Shopping Phrases"},"content":{"rendered":"

France is the ultimate destination for lovers of la mode<\/em> (fashion). Especially in January and in June, when the soldes<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>(sales) arrive. Each one of these bi-annual sales lasts for just over a month, and they are perfect opportunities to upgrade your wardrobe.<\/p>\n

To help you navigate a Parisian shopping experience, here are some French shopping phrases to remember.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Hellos and Goodbyes<\/h3>\n

First of all, it is very important when entering any store to always greet the clerk or salesperson<\/a> with a friendly \u201cBonjour !\u201d<\/em> (Hello!). It is considered rude to not do this, as if you were entering someone\u2019s home without greeting them.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Likewise, when you leave a store<\/a> always say \u201cMerci, au revoir !\u201d<\/em> (Thank you, good bye!). <\/i>It never hurts to add \u201cBonne journ\u00e9e \/ fin de journ\u00e9e \/ soir\u00e9e.\u201d <\/em>(Have a nice day\/end of your day\/evening.)<\/p>\n

Practice these and the other phrases in this post before you head out to be sure you get them right when the time comes. Find French shopping vlogs like this one from Just French It<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Phrases to Plan Your French Shopping Trip<\/h3>\n

I\u2019m going shopping on Saturday, want to come?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais faire du shopping samedi, tu veux venir ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to see the sales this weekend, interested?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais voir les soldes ce week-end, \u00e7a te dit ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

We\u2019re going to see what\u2019s at Galeries Lafayette<\/a> (one of the biggest department stores in Paris).
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 On va faire un tour aux Galeries Lafayette.<\/i><\/p>\n

French Phrases to Talk About Deals<\/h3>\n

A good deal, inexpensive, cheap.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Bon march\u00e9.<\/i>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

I got a good deal on these shoes this week.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 J\u2019ai achet\u00e9 ces chaussures \u00e0 bon march\u00e9 cette semaine.<\/i><\/p>\n

March\u00e9 <\/i>can also be used a comparative or superlative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m jealous, your dress was a better deal!
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je suis jalouse, ta robe \u00e9tait meilleur march\u00e9 !<\/i><\/p>\n

Other terms to describe a good deal are:
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Une bonne affaire<\/i>\u00a0(A good deal)\u00a0<\/i>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Un bon rapport qualit\u00e9-prix <\/i>(Good bang for your buck)
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Un prix avantageux <\/i>(A better price)
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Pas cher<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>(Not expensive)<\/p>\n

On the other side, you can say something is “c’est de la camelote”<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>or “une pacotille,”<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>meaning it is cheap junk.<\/p>\n

Finding Sales<\/h3>\n

To ask if there are any sales in the store:
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce qu\u2019il y a des soldes ? <\/i>(Are there sales?)
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que vous avez des soldes ? <\/i>(Do you have any sales?)<\/p>\n

To ask if an item is on sale:
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est sold\u00e9 ?\u00a0<\/i>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est en solde ?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Paying and Asking for Prices<\/h3>\n

How much is it?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est combien ?\u00a0<\/i>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Combien \u00e7a co\u00fbte ?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Can I pay by card?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que je peux payer par carte bancaire ?\u00a0<\/i>
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je peux r\u00e9gler par carte ?\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to pay in cash.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais payer en liquide.<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to check out, I\u2019m going to the cash register.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais r\u00e9gler, je vais \u00e0 la caisse.<\/i><\/p>\n

Can I have a bag?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que je peux avoir un sac ?<\/i>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Browsing and Looking for Specific Items\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

A sales clerk, or vendeur<\/em>, vendeuse<\/i>, might ask you if you need help.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que je peux vous aider ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Or if you\u2019re looking for something in particular.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Vous cherchez quelque chose en particulier ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

You can say that you\u2019re just looking.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Non merci, je ne fais que regarder. <\/i>(No thank you, I’m only looking.)
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Non merci, je regarde tout simplement.<\/i> <\/i>(No thank you, I’m just looking.)<\/p>\n

Or that you\u2019re looking for a green sweater<\/a>.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Oui, je cherche un pull vert.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I need to buy a present for a friend.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Je dois trouver un cadeau pour un ami.<\/i>
\n<\/i><\/p>\n

Sizes and Colors<\/h3>\n

Do you have this in a small?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que vous l\u2019avez en S ?<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m looking for these jeans in a 37.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je cherche ce jean en taille 37.<\/i>*<\/p>\n

*Note that jean<\/em> in this case should be pronounced like the word “jean” in English.<\/p>\n

Do you have other sizes?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que vous avez d\u2019autres tailles ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I would like to see this dress but in black.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je voudrais voir cette robe mais en noir.<\/i><\/p>\n

Do you have this in other colors<\/a>?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce que vous l\u2019avez en d\u2019autres couleurs ?<\/i>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Trying Things On<\/h3>\n

Where are the dressing rooms?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 O\u00f9 sont les cabines ? <\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Is there a mirror?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Est-ce qu\u2019il y a un miroir ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to try on these pants.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais essayer ce pantalon.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s too tight!
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est trop serr\u00e9 !<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a bit short, don\u2019t you think?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est un peu court, n\u2019est-ce pas ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

That\u2019s way too big on you.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est beaucoup trop large pour vous.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Making Crucial Shopping Decisions<\/h3>\n

I like this one the best.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 J\u2019aime celui-ci le plus.<\/i><\/p>\n

I like this shirt a lot.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Cette chemise me pla\u00eet beaucoup.<\/i><\/p>\n

This color doesn’t look good on me.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Cette couleur ne me va pas tr\u00e8s bien.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s very elegant, very chic.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est tr\u00e8s \u00e9l\u00e9gant, tr\u00e8s chic.<\/i><\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting, it\u2019s unique. (This can be used as a compliment or a subtle criticism. People often say it when they don\u2019t like something but don\u2019t want to be rude. Listen carefully for sarcasm).
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 C\u2019est original.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I love these shoes, I\u2019m going to get them.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 J\u2019adore ces chaussures, je vais les prendre.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I want to buy this jacket but it\u2019s too expensive.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 J\u2019ai envie d\u2019acheter ce manteau mais je ne peux pas me le permettre.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019m going to buy this purse even if it\u2019s too expensive.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je vais acheter ce sac \u00e0 main m\u00eame\u00a0si c\u2019est trop cher.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

You should get that skirt, it looks really good on you.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Tu devrais acheter cette jupe, elle te va super bien.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

French Phrases for Returns and Refunds<\/h3>\n

What\u2019s your return policy?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Quelle est votre politique pour les remboursements\u00a0?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I would like to exchange this for another size, please.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je voudrais \u00e9changer ceci pour une autre taille, s\u2019il vous pla\u00eet.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

I would like to return this watch.
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je voudrais retourner cette montre.<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Can I be reimbursed in cash?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Je pourrais \u00eatre rembours\u00e9\/rembours\u00e9e en liquide ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Remember to check the hours<\/a> of the store you\u2019re going to and see if they’re open during the weekend. While some stores are open on Sundays, especially in certain neighborhoods of Paris, the majority aren’t open. Opening hours are often extended during the sales and during the Christmas holidays<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What time do you close?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Vous fermez \u00e0 quelle heure ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Are you open on Sundays<\/a>?
\n\u00a0 \u00a0 Vous \u00eates ouvert les dimanches ?<\/i>\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

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