CEFR A1-A2
French Shopping Phrases: Prices, Sizes, Returns and Politeness
French retail is famously polite and famously formal. Walking into a French shop without greeting the staff is a faux pas; walking out without saying goodbye is the same. These phrases handle the standard sequence with the politeness conventions intact.
Hello / good day
IPA /bɔ̃ʒuʁ/
bohn-ZHOOR
Mandatory greeting on entering any French shop. Skipping it is considered rude and will produce a noticeably colder reception from the staff. Use 'bonsoir' (good evening) after roughly 18:00.
How much does it cost?
coute ?
IPA /sa kut kɔ̃bjɛ̃/
sah koot kohm-bee-AHN
Standard. 'Quel est le prix ?' is the more formal alternative.
Could I see this one, please?
- -ci, ' ?
IPA /ɛs kə ʒə puʁɛ vwaʁ səlɥisi sil vu plɛ/
es kuh zhuh poo-RAY vwar suh-LWEE-see seel voo PLAY
The polite conditional 'pourrais' is the default for retail interactions across the Francophone world.
Do you have it in a smaller / larger size?
- l' / ?
IPA /ɛs kə vu lave ɑ̃ ply pəti / ply ɡʁɑ̃/
es kuh voo lah-VAY ahn ploo puh-TEE / ploo grahn
French clothing uses the European size system. Knowing your continental size before shopping helps significantly.
What size do you have?
Quelle taille ?
IPA /kɛl taj vu fɛt/
kell TAH-yuh voo fett
The shop assistant asking you. 'Faites' here means 'wear/take'.
Can I try it on?
l' ?
IPA /ʒə pø leseje/
zhuh puh leh-say-YAY
Universal phrase for trying on clothing. The fitting room is 'la cabine d'essayage' or just 'la cabine'.
Where are the fitting rooms?
cabines 'essayage ?
IPA /u sɔ̃ le kabin desɛjaʒ/
oo sohn lay kah-BEEN deh-say-YAHZH
Do you have it in another colour?
L'- couleur ?
IPA /lave vu dɑ̃ zyn otʁ kulœʁ/
lah-vay-voo dahn zoon OH-truh koo-LURR
I am just looking, thank you.
, .
IPA /ʒə ʁəɡaʁd mɛʁsi/
zhuh ruh-GARD mehr-SEE
Polite brush-off. French shop assistants typically approach with 'Je peux vous aider ?' (can I help you?); 'Je regarde, merci' is the universal polite no.
Can I pay by card?
?
IPA /ʒə pø peje paʁ kaʁt/
zhuh puh pay-YAY par KART
Card payment is universal in France. Contactless is the default for amounts under 50 euros.
Could you give me a discount?
?
IPA /vu puve mə fɛʁ œ̃ pʁi/
voo poo-VAY muh fair uhn PREE
Appropriate at flea markets (les puces) and antique fairs. Not appropriate at chain retailers or boutiques. The phrase literally means 'can you do me a price?' - a softer formulation than directly asking for a discount.
Can I return this if it does not fit?
- ' ?
IPA /ɛs kə ʒə pø lə ʁɑ̃dʁ sil nə mə va pa/
es kuh zhuh puh luh RAHN-druh seel nuh muh vah pah
Return policies in France are usually generous at chain stores (30 days with receipt). Smaller shops may have shorter return windows.
Could I have a receipt, please?
ticket caisse ?
IPA /vu puve mə dɔne lə tikɛ də kɛs/
voo poo-VAY muh do-NAY luh tee-KAY duh KESS
'Le ticket de caisse' is the small printed receipt. 'La facture' is the formal invoice; ask for it when you need a proper receipt for business expenses.
Thank you, goodbye.
, .
IPA /mɛʁsi o ʁəvwaʁ/
mehr-SEE oh ruh-VWAR
Always say au revoir on leaving a shop. Skipping it is rude. 'Bonne journee' (good day) or 'bonne soiree' (good evening) often follows naturally if the shopkeeper says it first.
Regional notes
France
French chain retailers (Galeries Lafayette, FNAC, Decathlon, Carrefour, Monoprix) operate fixed prices and standard European return policies. The two main sale seasons ('les soldes') run for several weeks in January and July with significant discounts. Sunday opening is restricted; many shops in central Paris are open Sundays but provincial shops are typically closed.
Belgium
Belgian retail follows broadly the same pattern as France. The standard greeting on entering a shop is the same (bonjour). Brussels has bilingual shops where you can also use 'goedendag'.
Switzerland (French-speaking cantons)
Swiss shops are more expensive than equivalent French shops. Sunday opening is universally restricted. The shopping centres in Geneva and Lausanne accept euros at some retailers in addition to Swiss francs.
Quebec
Quebec retail follows broadly North American norms (longer hours, frequent sales, standard return policies). The greeting on entering a shop is 'bonjour' but the register is less formal than in France itself. 'Hi' / 'Bonjour-hi' is a common bilingual greeting in Montreal.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked
Is it rude not to greet shop assistants in France?
Yes. Greeting shop assistants on entering and saying au revoir on leaving is a strong French cultural norm. Foreign visitors who skip the greeting consistently report colder service; the cause is often simply this faux pas rather than anything else.
When are the French sale seasons ('les soldes')?
Two main sale seasons per year: winter sales run from mid-January for around six weeks, summer sales run from late June for around six weeks. The exact dates are set by the French government and are nationally synchronised. Mid-season sales can also occur in some chains but are less significant.
Do French shops accept euros and dollars?
French shops accept euros only. Major tourist-area shops may accept US dollars unofficially or via informal exchange but the standard expectation is euros. Always carry euros.
How do I ask for a specific clothing size?
Une taille 38 / 40 / 42 (a 38 / 40 / 42 size). European sizing is universal; UK and US sizes are not used. Shoe sizes also use the European number (38, 39, 40, etc.).