Faisons dushopping !(Let's go shopping!) In this article, you'll find all the essential French vocabulary words and phrases you'll need for a leisurely day of shopping, including the types of stores you can shop in, key words related to shopping, how to talk about store employees, and common phrases you'll need to make your purchases in French!
Questions This Article Answers
How do you talk about going shopping in French?
What are the different types of stores called in French?
What are some French key words related to shopping?
How do you talk about store employees in French?
What are some useful French phrases needed for going shopping?
How Do You Talk About Going Shopping in French?
In French, there are two main verb phrases used to talk about two different types of shopping. One is used for shopping for things you want, the other for things you need. Take a look at the table below to see what we mean!
Two Main Verb Phrases to Talk About Shopping in French
French
English
Notes
faire dushopping
to go shopping
shopping for clothes, gifts, etc.nonessential itemsdiscretionary shopping
faire lescourses
to go grocery shopping
shopping for food or household suppliesrunning errandsessential needs
In this article, we'll focus on faire du shopping and all the French words you need to know to go shopping for clothes, gifts, toys, décor, and other fun items!
Need to buy groceries, household supplies, or other essential items? Check out the following articles!
In addition to the general phrase faire du shopping, here are some other verb phrases you can use to talk about leisure-time shopping in French!
French Verb Phrases for Different Types of Shopping
French
English
Notes
allerchiner
to go bargain hunting
shopping for vintage items, secondhand clothing, etc.
faire dulèche-vitrine
to go window shopping
strolling past shops to see window displays
faire du shopping enligne
to do online shopping
shopping on websites
faire lesboutiques
to go shopping
casually looking in various shops for clothes, gifts, etc.
faire lesmagasins
to go shopping
casually looking in various stores for clothes, gifts, etc.
examples
Allons faire du lèche-vitrine au centre-ville ce week-end.
Let's go window shopping downtown this weekend.
Ma sœur ne fait jamais les boutiques. Elle achète tout en ligne.
My sister never goes shopping. She buys everything online.
Going Shopping in Québec
In Québec, there are additional ways to say you’re going shopping! Here are a couple of regional expressions for leisure-time shopping in la BelleProvince(the beautiful province):
French
English
Notes
faire dumagasinage
to go shopping
shopping for clothes, gifts, etc.
magasiner
to go shopping
shopping for clothes, gifts, etc.
examples
Thomas est sorti faire du magasinage pour des cadeaux de Noël.
Thomas left to go shopping for Christmas presents.
Mes amies et moi allons magasiner ce matin.
My friends and I are going shopping this morning.
Places to Go Shopping in French
When shopping for clothing, gifts, or other nonessential items like accessories, books, or toys, there are a wide variety of stores to choose from, ranging from small local shops to flea markets to large department stores and shopping malls. Take a look at the French vocabulary list below to find the right location for your next shopping trip!
Places to Go Shopping in French
French
English
la bijouterie
the jewelry store
la boutique
the boutique or the shop
la boutique dedécoration
the home décor shop
le centrecommercial
the shopping mall
la confiserie
the candy store
la friperie
the thrift shop
le grandmagasin
the department store
la librairie
the bookstore
le magasin
the store
le magasin decadeaux
the gift shop
le magasin dechaussures
the shoe store
le magasin dejouets
the toy store
le magasin desouvenirs
the souvenir shop
le magasin devêtements
the clothing store
le marché auxpuces
the flea market
la papeterie
the stationery store
la parfumerie
the perfume shop
examples
Yasmine veut voir les nouveautés dans les grands magasins.
Yasmine wants to look at the new arrivals in the department stores.
J'ai trouvé de super bonnes affaires au marché aux puces ce matin !
I found some great deals at the flea market this morning!
Nos enfants adorent aller au magasin de jouets avec leurs grands-parents.
Our children love to go to the toy store with their grandparents.
Shopping Malls in Québec
In Québec, people typically use the term le centred'achats(the shopping mall) rather than le centre commercial, which is used in France.
Les Bouquinistes in Paris
In central Paris, there's a unique outdoor shopping experience on the sidewalks along the Seine River where lesbouquinistes(the secondhand booksellers) sell items from bookstalls—large green wooden boxes that are closed and locked at night but opened up with displays for shopping during the day. You can stroll along and find des livresanciens(rare books), des livresd'occasion(used books), desgravures(engravings), or des cartes postalesanciennes(old postcards). These bookstalls have been a fixture in Paris for centuries and are often passed down within the same family for generations. The name comes from the colloquial word lebouquin(the book), commonly used instead of lelivre(the book) in casual conversation.
French Vocabulary Related to Shopping
Here are some key vocabulary words you may need when you're out shopping. Take a look!
Essential Vocabulary for Shopping in French
French
English
l'achat
the purchase
la bonneaffaire
the good deal (favorable price)
la caisse
the checkout or cash register
la cartebancaire
the debit card
la cartecadeau
the gift card
la carte decrédit
the credit card
les espèces
cash
la liquidation
the clearance sale
la marchandise
the merchandise
la marque
the brand
la monnaie
the change
le montant
the total
la nouveauté
the new arrival
le prix
the price
le rabais
the discount
le reçu
the receipt
les soldes
the sales (reduced prices)
la taxe
the tax
Ways to Describe Purchases in French
French
English
bonmarché
cheap or inexpensive
cher
expensive
d'occasion
used or secondhand
enpromotion
on sale
gratuit
free (no cost)
neuf
new or brand new
Verbs to Talk About Shopping in French
French
English
acheter
to buy
dépenser
to spend
économiser
to save (money)
essayer
to try or to try on
marchander
to bargain or to haggle
payer
to pay
proposer
to offer
vendre
to sell
examples
Les jeux vidéo sont en promotion cette semaine. Il y a un rabais de 20 % !
Video games are on sale this week. There's a 20% discount!
N'oubliez pas votre reçu, monsieur.
Don't forget your receipt, sir.
On trouve de bonnes affaires sur les vêtements d'occasion dans cette friperie.
You can find good deals on used clothes in this thrift shop.
Il faut marchander quand vous achetez quelque chose au marché aux puces.
You have to bargain when you're buying something at the flea market.
J'ai dépensé beaucoup d'argent dans cette boutique, mais je suis très satisfait de mes achats.
I spent a lot of money in that shop, but I'm very happy with my purchases.
Shopping for clothes? Check out our articles on clothing vocabulary and French you can use at a clothing store!
When shopping enligne(online), there are some additional vocabulary words to know! Take a look at the list and examples below before you log on to do your online shopping!
Vocabulary for Online Shopping in French
French
English
acheter enligne
to buy online
ajouter aupanier
to add to the cart
créer uncompte
to create an account
les fraisd'expédition
the shipping fees
l'identifiant
the username
la liste desouhaits
the wish list
la livraison
the delivery
la livraisongratuite
the free shipping
le mot depasse
the password
le panier
the cart
rechercher
to search for
seconnecter
to log on
le siteinternet
the website
valider lacommande
to confirm the order
examples
J'ai ajouté deux pulls à mon panier. Si j'en achète un de plus, je peux bénéficier de la livraison gratuite !
I added two sweaters to my cart. If I buy one more, I can get free shipping!
Avec les taxes et les frais d'expédition, ces livres sont chers à acheter en ligne. Allons à la librairie du coin.
With taxes and shipping fees, these books are expensive to buy online. Let's go to the local bookstore.
Philippe allait se connecter au site internet du magasin, mais il a oublié son mot de passe.
Philippe was going to log on to the store's website, but he forgot his password.
Names for Store Employees in French
Here are the most common words for talking about people who work in stores.
Store Employees in French
French Masculine Form
French Feminine Form
English
le caissier
la caissière
the cashier
le commis
la commise
the clerk
l'employé
l'employée
the employee
le gérant
la gérante
the manager
le propriétaire
la propriétaire
the owner
le vendeur
la vendeuse
the salesperson
examples
Les vendeurs de cette boutique sont super serviables.
The salespeople in this shop are really helpful.
La propriétaire travaille au magasin de souvenirs avec ses deux employés.
The owner works at the souvenir shop with her two employees.
Useful Phrases for Shopping in French
Whether you are shopping locally or hitting the malls, here are some common expressions you might use while shopping in a French-speaking country!
French Phrases Shoppers Might Say
French
English
Ça coûtecombien ?
How much does it cost?
Est-ce qu'il y a dessoldes ?
Are there any sales?
Je ne fais queregarder.
I'm just looking.
Je peuxl'essayer ?
Can I try it on?
Je peux payer avec unecarte ?
Can I pay with a card?
French Phrases Store Employees Might Say
French
English
Est-ce que je peux vousaider ?
Can I help you?
Le montant est de 82euros.
The total is 82 euros.
Voici votre monnaie et votrereçu.
Here’s your change and your receipt.
Vous cherchez quelque chose enparticulier ?
Are you looking for something in particular?
Vous payezcomment ?
How are you going to pay?
Remember to Use Polite Expressions When Shopping!
When you are shopping in a French-speaking country, remember to use the formal vous(you) with store employees and other shoppers. And never forget to use polite greetings and goodbyes like the following!
French
English
Bonjourmadame.
Hello, ma'am.
Bonjourmonsieur.
Hello, sir.
Bonnejournée !
Have a nice day!
Mercibeaucoup.
Thanks a lot.
S’il vousplaît.
Please.
A Conversation at the Department Store
Let’s look at a conversation between a shopper and an employee in a department store!
The salesperson:
Bonjour madame. Je peux vous aider ?
Hello, ma'am. Can I help you?
Suzanne:
Bonjour madame. Oui, je cherche un cadeau pour mon mari.
Hello, ma'am. Yes, I'm looking for a gift for my husband.
The salesperson:
On a de belles cravates en promotion cette semaine.
We have some beautiful ties on sale this week.
Suzanne:
C'est parfait ! Merci beaucoup, madame.
That's perfect! Thanks a lot, ma'am.
Check out all of our articles related to shopping in French!
