What is Shopping and Clothing?
Shopping and clothing vocabulary in French enables you to buy clothes, describe fashion, ask about sizes and prices, and bargain in markets. Whether browsing boutiques or negotiating at flea markets, this vocabulary is indispensable.
Shopping and clothing includes French words for garments (robe, chemise, pantalon), colors (rouge, bleu, noir), sizes (petit, moyen, grand) and shopping phrases like "Combien coûte?" (How much?). Essential for retail interactions and fashion conversations.
- •chemise (shirt)
- •t-shirt (t-shirt)
- •pull (sweater)
- •veste (jacket)
- •pantalon (pants)
- •jupe (skirt)
- •robe (dress)
- •chaussures (shoes)
Step-by-step worked examples
You're in a boutique and want to try something on. What do you ask?
Say: "Je voudrais essayer ceci" (I would like to try this on) Or: "Avez-vous cette robe en taille M?" (Do you have this dress in size M?)
A shopkeeper asks about your clothing preference. What are they saying?
They might ask: "Vous préférez quel style?" (What style do you prefer?) Or: "Vous aimez cette couleur?" (Do you like this color?) Respond with your preference.
You want to know the total cost in a French market. What do you ask?
Ask: "Combien coûte?" (How much does it cost?) Or: "Quel est le prix?" (What is the price?) For multiple items: "Ça fait combien en tout?" (How much is it altogether?)
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.What does 'robe' mean?
Q2.How do you ask to try something on in French?
Q3.Which is NOT a clothing item?
Q4.What does 'taille' mean in shopping?
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is Shopping and Clothing?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Confusing 'jupe' (skirt) with 'robe' (dress). — Correct: Jupe = skirt (just the bottom). Robe = full dress (top and bottom together).
Using 'vêtements' (plural clothes) when asking for a single item. — Correct: 'Vêtements' = clothes (plural). For one item, say 'un vêtement' or name the item specifically.
Forgetting that 'je prends' means 'I'll take it' — don't say it unless you want to buy! — Correct: Use 'je voudrais essayer' to try, not 'je prends.' Be clear about your intent.
Not knowing basic colors and struggling to describe what you want. — Correct: Learn: rouge (red), bleu (blue), noir (black), blanc (white), vert (green), jaune (yellow).
FAQ
What are the main sizes in French clothing?
Petit/XS (small), moyen/M (medium), grand/L (large), très grand/XL (extra large). Letter sizes are also used.
How do you ask a shopkeeper for a specific size?
Ask: 'Avez-vous cette robe en taille M?' (Do you have this dress in size M?) or 'Vous avez plus grand?'
What's the difference between 'vêtements' and naming specific clothes?
'Vêtements' = clothes in general. But always name the item: robe, chemise, pantalon, etc. for clarity.
When bargaining in a French market, what key phrase should you know?
'Avez-vous une réduction?' (Do you have a discount?) or 'C'est trop cher!' (That's too expensive!)