Shopping vocabulary. Explore essential French words and phrases for shopping, including items, types of stores, and common expressions.
Shopping is a common everyday activity, and having the right vocabulary can make it much easier and more enjoyable. In this section, we’ll cover essential French words for different types of stores, common phrases used while shopping, and the names of everyday items you might buy.
Types of Stores
France has a wide variety of specialized shops, and knowing their names can help you find exactly what you need. Here are some common types of stores you’ll encounter:
| French Store | English Store | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| la boulangerie | bakery | Je vais à la boulangerie acheter du pain. | I’m going to the bakery to buy bread. |
| la pâtisserie | pastry shop | La pâtisserie fait des éclairs délicieux. | The pastry shop makes delicious éclairs. |
| la boucherie | butcher’s shop | J’achète de la viande à la boucherie. | I buy meat at the butcher’s shop. |
| la poissonnerie | fish market | La poissonnerie vend des crevettes fraîches. | The fish market sells fresh shrimp. |
| l’épicerie | grocery store | Je vais à l’épicerie pour acheter des légumes. | I’m going to the grocery store to buy vegetables. |
| le supermarché | supermarket | Le supermarché est ouvert jusqu’à 21h. | The supermarket is open until 9 PM. |
| la pharmacie | pharmacy | Je vais à la pharmacie chercher des médicaments. | I’m going to the pharmacy to get medicine. |
| le magasin de vêtements | clothing store | J’achète une robe au magasin de vêtements. | I’m buying a dress at the clothing store. |
| la librairie | bookstore | Je cherche un roman à la librairie. | I’m looking for a novel at the bookstore. |
| le marché | market | Le marché est ouvert tous les samedis matins. | The market is open every Saturday morning. |
Common Shopping Phrases
Here are some useful phrases for asking questions, making requests, and handling common situations while shopping in French:
| French Phrase | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Je peux vous aider ? | Can I help you? | Bonjour, je peux vous aider ? | Hello, can I help you? |
| Combien ça coûte ? | How much does it cost? | Combien ça coûte, ce gâteau ? | How much does this cake cost? |
| Je voudrais… | I would like… | Je voudrais un kilo de pommes, s’il vous plaît. | I would like a kilo of apples, please. |
| C’est trop cher. | It’s too expensive. | Ce manteau est trop cher pour moi. | This coat is too expensive for me. |
| Avez-vous… ? | Do you have…? | Avez-vous du pain complet ? | Do you have whole wheat bread? |
| Où est… ? | Where is…? | Où est le rayon des boissons ? | Where is the drinks aisle? |
| Je regarde seulement. | I’m just looking. | Merci, je regarde seulement. | Thank you, I’m just looking. |
| Je prends ça. | I’ll take this. | Je prends ce pull bleu. | I’ll take this blue sweater. |
| Puis-je payer par carte ? | Can I pay by card? | Puis-je payer par carte ou en espèces ? | Can I pay by card or cash? |
| Avez-vous un sac ? | Do you have a bag? | Avez-vous un sac pour mes achats ? | Do you have a bag for my purchases? |
___ un sac pour mes achats ?
How do you ask, 'Do you have a bag?' in French?
Avez-vous… ?
"Avez-vous… ?" means "Do you have…?" It is used to ask if something is available, like a bag. The others mean "Where is…?", "I’ll take this.", and "I’m just looking."
Everyday Shopping Items
Here are some common items you might buy while shopping, organized by category. This vocabulary will help you ask for what you need and understand labels:
| French Item | Gender & Number | English Item | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| pain | masculine singular | bread | Je voudrais une baguette de pain. | I would like a baguette of bread. |
| lait | masculine singular | milk | J’achète du lait au supermarché. | I’m buying milk at the supermarket. |
| pomme | feminine singular | apple | Une pomme rouge, s’il vous plaît. | A red apple, please. |
| tomate | feminine singular | tomato | Je prends trois tomates. | I’ll take three tomatoes. |
| fromage | masculine singular | cheese | Ce fromage est très crémeux. | This cheese is very creamy. |
| œuf | masculine sing./plural œufs | egg(s) | Combien d’œufs voulez-vous ? | How many eggs do you want? |
| eau | feminine singular | water | Je voudrais une bouteille d’eau. | I would like a bottle of water. |
| café | masculine singular | coffee | Un café, s’il vous plaît. | A coffee, please. |
| sucre | masculine singular | sugar | Je prends du sucre pour mon thé. | I’m taking sugar for my tea. |
| viande | feminine singular | meat | Je n’achète pas de viande aujourd’hui. | I’m not buying meat today. |
Understanding these essential shopping vocabulary words and phrases will help you navigate French stores with confidence. Practice using them in context, and soon you’ll be able to shop like a local!
Je voudrais une baguette de ___.
What is the French word for 'bread'?
pain
"Pain" means bread. The others are milk, cheese, and apple.
Flashcards (1 of 30)
- English Store: bakery
- English Example: I’m going to the bakery to buy bread.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
