A2French

Buying Clothes

Use these phrases to ask for sizes, find the fitting room, and tell the staff what you want to buy.

Key Phrases

Voice
Trying on · 2 ways to say it

Est-ce que je peux essayer ce pantalon, s'il vous plaît ?

polite

Can I try these pants on, please?

Standard, polite question using 'est-ce que'.

Je peux essayer ?

casual

Can I try (it) on?

A very common and direct way to ask in a casual boutique.

Finding the fitting room

Où sont les cabines d'essayage ?

neutral

Where are the fitting rooms?

Essential vocabulary for clothes shopping.

Asking for a different size · 2 ways to say it

Est-ce que vous avez une taille au-dessus ?

polite

Do you have a size up?

Useful if the item is too small.

Vous avez ça en plus grand ?

casual

Do you have this in a larger size?

Spoken French often drops 'est-ce que' and uses voice tone for questions.

Asking for a different color

Vous avez ce t-shirt en noir ?

neutral

Do you have this t-shirt in black?

To ask for a color, just use 'en' + the color.

Saying it doesn't fit

Ça ne me va pas.

neutral

It doesn't fit me.

A natural way to say something doesn't suit your body or style.

Explaining the fit problem

C'est trop grand pour moi.

neutral

It's too big for me.

You can easily replace 'grand' (big) with 'petit' (small).

Making a purchase · 2 ways to say it

Je vais prendre ça, s'il vous plaît.

polite

I'm going to take this, please.

Using the near future (aller + infinitive) is perfect for deciding what to buy.

C'est bon, je le prends.

casual

It's all good, I'll take it.

A very natural, everyday way to confirm you want to buy the item.

Declining a purchase

Je ne vais pas le prendre.

neutral

I am not going to take it.

A polite but clear way to say you don't want the item after trying it on.

Practice Dialogue

Customer
Bonjour. Est-ce que je peux essayer ce t-shirt ?
Staff
Oui, bien sûr. Les cabines d'essayage sont là-bas.
Customer
Merci.
Staff
Alors, ça va ?
Customer
Non, c'est trop petit. Vous avez ça en plus grand ?
Staff
Attendez... Oui, j'ai une taille au-dessus.
Customer
Super, je vais essayer ça.
Staff
D'accord.
Customer
C'est parfait. Je vais le prendre.
Staff
Très bien. On va à la caisse.

More Shopping & Money (A2)

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