When shopping for clothes in French, it’s helpful to know vocabulary for different types of clothing, sizes, colors, and common phrases used in stores.
Clothing Items
Here are some common clothing items in French along with their English translations.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une chemise | a shirt |
| un pantalon | pants |
| une robe | a dress |
| une jupe | a skirt |
| un pull | a sweater |
| un t-shirt | a t-shirt |
| une veste | a jacket |
| un manteau | a coat |
| des chaussures | shoes |
| des chaussettes | socks |
Sizes
French clothing sizes may be different from those in other countries. Here are size-related words and phrases.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| une taille | a size |
| petit | small |
| moyen / moyenne | medium |
| grand / grande | large |
| très grand / très grande | extra large |
| ça taille petit | it runs small |
| ça taille grand | it runs large |
| Quelle taille faites-vous ? | What size are you? |
| Je fais du 38. | I am a size 38. |
| Avez-vous une taille plus grande ? | Do you have a larger size? |
Colors
Colors are important when describing clothing. Here are some common color words in French.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| blanc / blanche | white |
| noir / noire | black |
| bleu / bleue | blue |
| rouge | red |
| vert / verte | green |
| jaune | yellow |
| gris / grise | gray |
| rose | pink |
| marron | brown |
| violet / violette | purple |
Fabrics & Patterns
Knowing fabric and pattern words can help you describe clothing more precisely.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| en coton | cotton |
| en laine | wool |
| en soie | silk |
| en cuir | leather |
| en jean | denim |
| à rayures | striped |
| à pois | polka dots |
| uni(e) | solid (color) |
| en polyester | polyester |
| brodé(e) | embroidered |
Useful Phrases
These phrases are commonly used when shopping for clothes in French.
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je voudrais essayer ça. | I would like to try this on. |
| Où sont les cabines d’essayage ? | Where are the fitting rooms? |
| Est-ce que ça vous plaît ? | Do you like it? |
| Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? |
| C’est trop grand / trop petit. | It’s too big / too small. |
| Je le prends. | I’ll take it. |
| Puis-je payer par carte ? | Can I pay by card? |
| Avez-vous d’autres couleurs ? | Do you have other colors? |
| C’est en solde ? | Is it on sale? |
| Merci et au revoir. | Thank you and goodbye. |
Conclusion
This vocabulary and these phrases will help you navigate most situations when shopping for clothes in French. Don’t forget to listen carefully and ask questions if you need help!
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English: a shirt
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
