Shopping

1. Combien ça coûte ?

   How much does it cost?

   Usage

   The most common way to ask the price of something

   Grammar Note

   "Coûte" is third person singular of coûter (to cost). "C'est combien?" is equally common

2. Je regarde seulement, merci

   I'm just looking, thank you

   Usage

   Use when a shop assistant approaches and you want to browse freely

   Grammar Note

   "Regarder" means to look. "Seulement" softens it to "just browsing"

3. Avez-vous une taille plus grande ?

   Do you have a larger size?

   Usage

   Used in clothing shops when the current size is too small

   Grammar Note

   "Plus + adjective" forms the comparative. Apply similarly: plus petite (smaller)

4. Je prends celui-ci

   I'll take this one

   Usage

   Said when you've decided to buy something

   Grammar Note

   "Celui-ci" for masculine nouns, "celle-ci" for feminine. "-là" means "that one over there"

5. Est-ce que vous acceptez les cartes bancaires ?

   Do you accept credit cards?

   Usage

   Ask whether card payment is accepted before making a purchase

   Grammar Note

   "Est-ce que" introduces a yes/no question. "Cartes bancaires" covers all bank/credit cards

6. Avez-vous ceci en bleu ?

   Do you have this in blue?

   Usage

   Ask for a different color. Replace "bleu" with any color name

   Grammar Note

   "En + color" expresses "in that color". Apply with rouge (red), vert (green), noir (black)

7. Est-ce que je peux essayer ceci ?

   Can I try this on?

   Usage

   Ask to try on clothing or shoes. The fitting room is "la cabine d'essayage"

   Grammar Note

   "Essayer" means to try and to try on clothes. Ask "Où est la cabine d'essayage?" for the fitting room

8. Puis-je avoir un reçu ?

   May I have a receipt?

   Usage

   Request a receipt after purchase, useful for returns or expense records. The slip the till prints is a "ticket de caisse" instead

   Grammar Note

   "Reçu" comes from the past participle of recevoir (to receive). It's masculine. It is defined as "Écrit sous seing privé dans lequel on reconnaît avoir reçu une somme, un objet" with the synonyms "quittance" and "récépissé" — a signed acknowledgement of payment rather than a till slip

9. C'est pour offrir

   It's for a gift

   Usage

   Let the shop know the item is a gift so they can offer gift wrapping

   Grammar Note

   From "offrir un cadeau" (to give a gift). Gift wrapping is "emballage cadeau"

10. Est-ce que c'est en solde ?

    Is this on sale?

    Usage

    Ask if an item is discounted, especially useful during French "les soldes" (sale season)

    Grammar Note

    "Solde" also means balance/settlement, but "en solde" specifically means at a reduced price

11. Je n'ai pas besoin de ticket de caisse.

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Decline the printed slip when the cashier asks "Vous voulez le ticket de caisse ?"

    Grammar Note

    Negated "avoir besoin de" (to need); after the negation the indefinite article drops and bare "de" remains. A "reçu" is a signed acknowledgement of payment, whereas the slip printed at the till is a "ticket de caisse"

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