French Shopping Interactions: Essential Phrases and Dialogues

Basic Shopping Phrases

Entering a Store

1. "Bonjour!" (Hello!)

• Always say this when entering any shop in France
• Cultural note: Greeting is considered essential politeness

2. "Je peux vous aider?" (Can I help you?)

• Common phrase from shop staff
• Respond with "Je regarde, merci" (I'm just looking, thanks) or "Oui, s'il vous plaît" (Yes, please)

Essential Questions

Finding Items

1. "Où sont les..." (Where are the...)

• Used for locating specific sections
• Example: "Où sont les chaussures?" (Where are the shoes?)

2. "Avez-vous..." (Do you have...)

• For asking about specific items
• Example: "Avez-vous ce t-shirt en bleu?" (Do you have this t-shirt in blue?)

Size and Fit

1. "Quelle taille faites-vous?" (What size are you?) Response: "Je fais du 40" (I'm a size 40)

2. "Je peux l'essayer?" (Can I try it on?)

• Used when wanting to try clothes
• Response: "Les cabines sont par là" (The fitting rooms are over there)

Price Discussions

Asking Prices

1. "C'est combien?" (How much is it?)

• Most direct way to ask price
• Alternative: "Quel est le prix?" (What's the price?)

2. "C'est en solde?" (Is it on sale?)

• Used during sale seasons
• Response might be: "Oui, c'est 30% moins cher" (Yes, it's 30% off)

Payment Process

At the Register

1. "Je peux payer par carte?" (Can I pay by card?)

• Standard question for payment method
• Response: "Oui, bien sûr" (Yes, of course)

2. "Vous avez la monnaie?" (Do you have change?)

• Used when paying with large bills
• Important for cash transactions

Common Shopping Vocabulary

Clothing Items

• un pantalon (pants)
• une chemise (shirt)
• des chaussures (shoes)
• une robe (dress)

Colors

• noir/noire (black)
• blanc/blanche (white)
• rouge (red)
• bleu/bleue (blue)

Cultural Tips

Shopping Etiquette

1. Always greet and say goodbye

• "Bonjour" when entering
• "Au revoir, merci" when leaving

2. Polite forms

• Use "s'il vous plaît" (please)
• "Merci beaucoup" (thank you very much)

Opening Hours

• "C'est ouvert?" (Is it open?)
• "À quelle heure fermez-vous?" (What time do you close?)
• "Vous êtes ouvert le dimanche?" (Are you open on Sundays?)

Useful Shopping Expressions

Quality and Preferences

1. "Il/Elle me va bien?" (Does it suit me?)

• Used when trying on clothes
• Response might be: "Oui, ça vous va très bien" (Yes, it suits you very well)

2. "C'est trop grand/petit" (It's too big/small)

• Used when something doesn't fit
• Helpful for requesting different sizes

Common Dialogues

Example Shopping Interaction:

Customer: "Bonjour!" Seller: "Bonjour, je peux vous aider?" Customer: "Je cherche une chemise blanche." Seller: "Quelle taille?" Customer: "Je fais du M." Seller: "En voici une. Vous voulez l'essayer?" Customer: "Oui, s'il vous plaît."

Remember: Shopping interactions in French-speaking countries often involve more formal politeness than in English-speaking ones.

Take time with greetings and thank-yous, and always use formal "vous" unless specifically invited to use informal "tu".