French Phrases for Shopping: From Bonjour to the Bag
The full shopping interaction in French - greeting, asking for help, trying things on, and paying - with exact phrases and staff responses.
A French shopping interaction starts with bonjour, then je cherche… (I’m looking for…), je peux l’essayer ? (can I try it on?), c’est combien ? (how much is it?), and finishes with je le prends (I’ll take it) and vous acceptez la carte ? (do you accept cards?).
Quick answer
A French shopping interaction starts with bonjour, then je cherche… (I’m looking for…), je peux l’essayer ? (can I try it on?), c’est combien ? (how much is it?), and finishes with je le prends (I’ll take it) and vous acceptez la carte ? (do you accept cards?).
Practice the full shopping script with native audio. Get it on the App Store or Google Play.
Remember the bonjour rule - it applies the moment you enter a shop. For the noun vocabulary itself, see shopping vocabulary.
Asking for help
Je cherche… (I’m looking for…), est-ce que vous avez ça en… ? (do you have this in…?), pouvez-vous m’aider ? (can you help me?).
Trying things on
Je peux l’essayer ?, où sont les cabines d’essayage ? (where are the fitting rooms?), ça me va ? (does it suit me?).
Asking about price and negotiating
C’est combien ?, il y a une réduction ? (is there a discount?), c’est un peu cher (it’s a bit expensive).
Paying and finishing
Je le/la prends (I’ll take it), un sac, s’il vous plaît (a bag, please), vous acceptez la carte ? (do you accept cards?).
| Step | Phrase |
|---|---|
| Asking for help | je cherche… |
| Trying on | je peux l’essayer ? |
| Price | c’est combien ? |
| Paying | je le/la prends |
See also clothes in French for the clothing vocabulary this interaction often uses.
Shop with the right script
LexiFr teaches the full shopping interaction with native audio and staff-response practice.
Free to start - no ads, no streak guilt. Your first 200 words are waiting.
Questions about this note
Do you have to say bonjour when entering a French shop?
Yes - it's expected etiquette, not optional.
How do you ask to try something on?
Je peux l'essayer ?
How do you ask for a fitting room?
Où sont les cabines d'essayage ?
How do you say "I'll take it"?
Je le/la prends.
How do you ask if card payment is accepted?
Vous acceptez la carte ?