French Shopping Phrases
Shopping in France — whether you're browsing a Parisian boutique, exploring a weekend market, or picking up gifts to take home — is a pleasure when you know what to say. French shop assistants will often greet you as you enter and may offer help. Knowing how to respond, ask about sizes, and handle the transaction in French makes the experience feel much more natural.
Browsing
The ideal response when a shop assistant approaches and you want to browse undisturbed
I’m just looking, thank you
Je regarde, merci
zhuh ruh-gard, mehr-see
If you like something but it's not your size — ask for a different one
Do you have this in another size?
Vous avez ça dans une autre taille ?
voo zah-vay sah dahn zoon oht-ruh tie
Same as above, but for colour — useful in clothing and accessories shops
Do you have this in another colour?
Vous avez ça dans une autre couleur?
voo zah-vay sah dahn zoon oht-ruh koo-luhr
Ask before heading to the fitting rooms — some boutiques limit the number of items
Can I try this on?
Je peux essayer?
zhuh puh eh-say-yay
If you can't see the fitting rooms, ask staff to point you in the right direction
Where are the fitting rooms?
Où sont les cabines d’essayage ?
oo sohn lay kah-been dess-eh-yazh
It’s too small
C’est trop petit
say troh puh-tee
When it doesn’t fit.
It’s too big
C’est trop grand
say troh grahn
Price & Payment
Ask this if there's no price tag visible — or to confirm before you commit
How much is this?
Ça coûte combien ?
sah koot kom-bee-ehn
A polite way to signal that the price is more than you expected
That’s too expensive
C’est trop cher
say troh shair
Check before handing over a card — some smaller shops and markets are cash only
Do you accept cards?
Vous prenez la carte ?
voo pruh-nay lah kart
The French word for cash — useful at markets or smaller independent shops
Cash
Espèces
es-pess
When you've made your decision — a clean, confident way to say you'll take it
I’ll take it
Je le prends
zhuh luh prahn
Ask for a bag at the register — many shops charge a small fee for plastic bags
Do you have a bag?
Vous avez un sac ?
voo zah-vay uhn sak
Always good to ask — useful for returns, expenses, or keeping track of spending
Receipt, please
Un ticket, s’il vous plaît
uhn tee-kay, seel voo pleh
Returns & Refunds
If something doesn't work out — ask within the return window (usually 30 days in France)
Can I return this?
Je peux retourner cet article ?
zhuh puh ruh-toor-nay set ar-tee-kl
If you'd rather swap for something else instead of a refund
Can I exchange this?
Je peux échanger cet article ?
zhuh puh ay-shahn-zhay set ar-tee-kl
If you want your money back rather than an exchange
I would like a refund
Je voudrais un remboursement
zhuh voo-dreh uhn room-boor-suh-mon
Tax refund (for non-EU visitors)
If you've spent over €100 in one store, you may be eligible for a VAT refund — ask for this form at the register
I would like the tax refund form
Je voudrais le formulaire de détaxe
zhuh voo-dreh luh for-moo-lair duh day-tax
Where can I get my tax refund?
Où puis-je récupérer la détaxe ?
oo pwee-zh ruh-koo-pay-ray lah day-tax
Ask where to get the refund processed — usually at a dedicated desk before security