Key points about describing shops and shopping in French
Words for this, that, these and those. Demonstrative adjectives are used to point out a specific thing or person or to emphasise something. are words like ‘this’ and ‘that’ and are useful for talking about specific shops and products.
translate the English words ‘which’ and ‘what’ and change depending on the All French nouns are either masculine or feminine. In French, objects such as a table or car, as well as people, have a grammatical gender. and number of the noun.
Vocabulary - Shopping for clothes
Have a look at the illustration which shows useful vocabulary for items of clothing.
Click or tap on Show more to see a list of the vocabulary in the illustration and listen to the pronunciation.
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (m. pl.) | clothes | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (f. pl.) | trainers |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (f. pl.) | socks | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. (f. pl.) | shoes |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | shirt | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | tie |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | jeans | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | skirt |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | coat | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | trousers |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | jumper | Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | dress |
| Check your connection, refresh the page and try again. | t-shirt |
Did you know?
Some clothes words in French are cognates, which look very similar to the English.
un jean – a pair of jeans
un short – a pair of shorts
un T-shirt – a T-shirt
un sweat – a sweat shirt
un cardigan – a cardigan
un blazer – a blazer
un polo – a polo shirt
Useful phrases for shopping for clothes include:
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je cherche … | I am looking for … | Je voudrais (acheter) … | I would like (to buy) … |
| Avez-vous … | Have you got … | Je peux l’essayer ? | Can I try on? |
| C’est combien ? | How much is it? | Où est la caisse ? | Where is the checkout? |
| Est-ce qu’on peut commander en ligne ? | Can we order online? | Je préfère | I prefer |
| Je préfère cette couleur. | I prefer this colour | Je veux échanger ces vêtements. | I want to exchange these clothes |
| C’est trop long/court. | It's too long/short | C’est un peu grand/petit. | It's a bit big/small |
| Ce n’est pas ma taille. | It's not my size | C’est trop cher. | It's too expensive |
For example:
Je voudrais acheter ce pull mais c’est trop cher. - I would like to buy this jumper but it’s too expensive.
Est-ce que je peux essayer cette robe, s’il vous plait ? - Can I try this dress on please?
Grammar - Using demonstrative adjectives
The demonstrative adjectives in English are 'this', 'that', 'these' and 'those'.
To say ‘this’ or ‘that, use ce, cet or cette.
To say ‘these’ or ‘those’, use ces.
| Masculine (before nouns starting with a consonant) | Masculine (before nouns starting with a vowel or silent ‘h’) | Feminine | Plural (masculine and feminine) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ce | cet | cette | ces |
For example:
Ce magasin est assez cher. – This/That shop is quite expensive.
Cet achat est pour toi. – This/That purchase is for you.
Cette taille est parfaite. – This/That size is perfect.
Ces vêtements sont un bon prix. – These/Those clothes are a good price.
Demonstrative adjectives - Mini quiz
Choose the correct demonstrative adjective to complete the following sentences.
Press Start to begin the activity.
You can find out more by taking a look at the Demonstrative adjectives in French guide.
Reading practice
Read the following social media posts about shopping habits and answer the questions.
Henri
Je suis propriétaire d’un magasin de mode mais cette année, je vends de moins en moins de produits. Trop de gens achètent leurs vêtements en ligne. Si ce problème continue, je pense que bientôt, je vais devoir fermer mon magasin.
Why will Henri probably have to close his fashion shop soon?
| A | Because he is starting an online business. |
| B | Because he wants to retire. |
| C | Because he is not selling enough in his shop. |
The answer is C.
Je vends de moins en moins de produits. - I am selling fewer and fewer products.
Translation
I am the owner of a fashion shop but this year I am selling fewer and fewer products. Too many people buy their clothes online. If this problem continues I think that soon I am going to have to sell my shop.
Caroline
J’aime bien acheter mes vêtements en ligne parce que c’est plus rapide et moins cher. Je n’ai pas le temps pour aller au centre commercial. Par contre, le problème, c’est qu’on ne peut pas toujours choisir la bonne taille sans l’essayer.
What does Caroline dislike about buying clothes online?
| A | You can’t try things on. |
| B | It takes too long. |
| C | It’s expensive. |
The answer is A.
… le problème, c’est qu’on ne peut pas toujours choisir la bonne taille sans l’essayer.
… the problem is that you can’t always choose the right size without trying it on.
Translation
I like buying clothes online because it’s quicker and less expensive. I don’t have time to go to the shopping centre. On the other hand, the problem is that you can’t always choose the right size without trying it on.
Nathalie
J’ai ouvert un magasin de vêtements et j’en vends aussi sur Internet. Cette situation est normale - c’est impossible aujourd’hui d’avoir une entreprise sans avoir un site web. Cependant, la plupart de mes clients viennent au magasin.
What is Nathalie’s opinion of running a business these days?
| A | It’s best to only have an online business. |
| B | You need to have a website. |
| C | You don’t need a website as most people buy from shops. |
The answer is B.
…c’est impossible aujourd’hui d’avoir une entreprise sans avoir un site web. - …it’s impossible today to have a business without having a website.
Translation
I have opened a clothes shop and I also sell online. This situation is normal - it’s impossible today to have a business without having a website. However most of my customers come to the shop.
Vocabulary - Shopping for presents
Useful nouns for shopping for presents or cards include:
| French | English | French | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| une boîte de chocolats | a box of chocolates | un sac à main | a handbag |
| un tableau | a picture, painting | un sac à dos | a backpack, rucksack |
| un livre | a book | un beau stylo | a beautiful pen |
| une carte d’anniversaire | a birthday card | un gâteau en forme de cœur | a cake in the shape of a heart |
| un petit bateau en bois | a little boat made of wood | du papier cadeau | some wrapping paper |
Acheter (to buy) is a useful A word used to describe an action or state of being. that can be used in different The tense of a verb shows when the action took place. Present, future and perfect are all tenses..
For example:
J’achète souvent des livres en ville. - I often buy books in town.
En vacances, j’ai acheté un sac rouge. - On holiday, I bought a red bag.
Pour ton anniversaire, je vais t’acheter un sac tendance. - For your birthday, I’m going to buy you a trendy bag.
Remember
Acheter can also be used across a number of topics, including free time, holidays and celebrations.
Useful phrases to describe where and how people like to shop include:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je vais au centre commercial chaque weekend. | I go to the shopping centre each weekend. |
| Mes amis préfèrent faire du shopping en centre ville. | My friends prefer to go shopping in the town centre. |
| Il faut aller au marché pour chercher des choses pas chères. | You have to go to the market to look for inexpensive things. |
| Hier, ma belle-mère a acheté une carte au supermarché. | Yesterday, my step-mum bought a card at the supermarket. |
| C’est très facile de trouver des cadeaux en ligne. | It’s very easy to find presents online. |
You might also want to talk about what you spend your money on or what people buy you for special occasions.
For example:
Je vais utiliser mon argent de poche pour acheter des lunettes de soleil. - I am going to use my pocket money to buy some sun glasses.
Ma famille m’a acheté un sac de ma marque préférée pour mon anniversaire. - My family bought me a bag from my favourite brand for my birthday.
All Foundation Tier vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Grammar - Interrogative adjectives
Interrogative adjectives in French are the words for ‘which’ or 'what' and they change depending on the gender and number of the noun:
| Masculine singular | Masculine plural | Feminine singular | Feminine plural |
|---|---|---|---|
| quel | quels | quelle | quelles |
For example:
Quel genre de cadeau aimes-tu ? – Which type of present do you like?
Quelle est ta couleur préférée ? – What is your favourite colour ? (literally, ‘which’ is your favourite colour?)
Quel can often be translated as ‘what’, when there is a choice between a few different options.
'Quel' as the subject of the question
Quel can be used as the The person or thing in the sentence that is doing the action. of the question, usually with the verb être (to be).
For example:
Quels sont tes projets pour le week-end ? – What are your plans for the weekend?
Quels is used in this example because projets is a masculine plural noun.
'Quel' with a noun
Quel can also be used with a The name of a thing such as an object, a place or a person. Nouns are often described as naming words..
For example:
Quelle carte veux-tu choisir ? – Which card do you want to choose?
Quelle is used in this example because carte is a feminine singular noun.
Interrogative adjectives - Mini quiz
Choose the correct interrogative adjective in the following sentences.
Press Start to begin the activity.
You can find out more by taking a look at the Interrogative adjectives in French guide.
Listening practice
Listen to some French-speaking customers shopping for presents and for each one decide:
what they choose
who is it for
Write the answers in English, giving as much detail as possible.
Customer 1
Blue pen. For his husband.
Transcript
Customer - Je cherche un cadeau utile pour mon mari.
Salesperson - Tu aimes ces stylos ? Quelle couleur préfère-t-il ?
Customer - Je prendrai ce stylo bleu.
Translation
Customer - I’m looking for a useful present for my husband.
Salesperson - Do you like these pens? What colour does he prefer?
Customer - I’ll take this blue pen.
Customer 2
Picture/painting. For their aunt.
Transcript
Customer - Je voudrais quelque chose pour l’anniversaire de ma tante.
Salesperson - Quel genre de cadeau et à quel prix ?
Customer - Je crois que ce tableau est bien. Ce n’est pas trop cher.
Translation
Customer - I would like something for my aunt’s birthday.
Salesperson - What kind of present and at what price?
Customer - I think this picture is fine. It’s not too expensive.
Customer 3
Little boat. For their daughter.
Transcript
Customer - Il ne faut pas oublier ma fille.
Salesperson - Quel âge a-t-elle déjà ?
Customer - Elle a trois ans. Ce petit bateau est parfait pour son bain.
Translation
Customer - I mustn’t forget my daughter.
Salesperson - How old is she again?
Customer - She’s three. This little boat is perfect for her bath.
Customer 4
Big, green bag. For their friend’s birthday.
Transcript
Customer - J’ai une bonne idée ! Je vais acheter un sac.
Salesperson - De quelle taille ? C’est pour qui ?
Customer - J’aime ce grand sac vert. C’est pour l’anniversaire de mon ami.
Translation
Customer - I have a good idea! I’m going to buy a bag.
Salesperson - In what size? Who is it for?
Customer - I like this big, green bag. It’s for my friend’s birthday.
Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful vocabulary to use when talking about shopping.
Higher Tier - Vocabulary - Shopping
Useful nouns include:
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un achat | purchase |
| un chapeau | hat |
| une veste | jacket |
| les fleurs | some flowers |
| un roman | a novel |
| une chaîne en or | a gold chain |
All vocabulary listed in this guide can be found on the vocabulary sheet below.
Higher Tier - Vocabulary sheet
Click or tap on the image below for a list of useful Higher Tier vocabulary to use when talking about shopping.
Now you have learned about describing shopping, why not look at the Describing tourist attractions guide.
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