Useful Vocabulary

Shop(s) Customer(s) Cashier(s)

Wallet(s) (m)

Purse(s) (f) Scales Till(s)

Shelf Shelves Barcode(s)

Trolley(s) Lift(s) Bag(s)

Basket(s) Changing Room(s) Escalator(s)

Ways to pay

Cheque(s) Cash Note(s)

Coin(s)Credit card(s)

Debit card(s)

Build Up

Where to buy what

Chemist's

Ladies Clothing Shop or Boutique

Mens Clothing Shop or Tailor's

Shoe Shop or Cobbler's

Jeweller's

Electrical Store

Toy Shop or Toy Store

Record Shop

Book Shop

Newsagent's

Ironmonger's

Optician's

Haberdasher's

All or most of the above Department Store

Butcher's

Fishmonger's

Greengrocer's

Baker's

Delicatessen

Grocer's

Off Licence

Florist's

Post Office

All or most of the above Supermarket

Naturally Speaking

Useful Shopping Phrases

Finding a Shop Opening Hours

Questions

Can you recommend a good toy/clothes shop?

Is there a chemists/supermarket in the area?

Where can I get toothpaste/pet food?

Where's the nearest shopping centre?

Answers/Comments

There's a really good bookshop just around the corner.

You can buy that here in the hotel.

The best toy shop is in the shopping centre.

The nearest one is a few miles away.

Questions

What time do you open, please?

What time do you close, please?

What are your opening hours?

Are you open all day?

Are you open on Sundays?

Answers/Comments

We're open 24/7. (24 hours a day / 7 days a week)

We're closed at lunchtime, between 12 and 2pm.

We're open from 9am till 6pm, Monday to Friday.

Shopping for Clothes Paying

Questions

Could you help me, please?

Could you tell me where the ................ department is?

Excuse me, I'm looking for a .......... .

Is there somewhere I can try this on, please?

Does it suit me?

Do you have this in a (larger/smaller size) (different colour),

please?

Do you do alterations?

Do you have a refund policy?

Is this in the sale?

Answers/Comments

It's too long / short.

It's too tight / loose.

Questions

Do you take credit cards?

Do you give credit?

Do you have a loyalty card?

Does it have a warranty?

Can I pay by cheque?

Do you offer a cash discount?

Could I have a VAT receipt, please?

Could I leave my bags here and pick them up later?

Answers/Comments

We take all the major credit cards.

We only accept cheques with a cheque card.

We are offering 6 months free credit with no deposit.

Sorry, no.

The ladies / gents changing rooms are over there.

You can bring it back and exchange it or get a refund within 2

weeks if you keep the receipt.

Yes, certainly.

Dialogue

Here we have two conversations. The first is between Mrs Smith and her younger son John at the shops. The second is between Mrs Smith and a shop assistant.

It's Saturday morning and Mrs. Smith is going shopping.

Mrs S: John, I'm going to the shops. Is there anything you want?

John: Yes please! Can you pick up my magazine from the newsagents?

Mrs S: Of course. Do you want to come with me?

John: No way, I'm going round to Mike's house, sorry.

Mrs S: No problem. I'll be about an hour, be home by 5 o'clock at the latest.

John: O.K. I'll see you later.

A bit later......

Mrs S: John are you home?

John Yes mum, I'm up stairs.

Mrs S: Come down here, I bought you a new Nike T-shirt, I want you to try it on.

John Nike? Great I'm coming!

A few minutes later.....

Mrs S: Well, does it fit?

John I think it's a bit too small.

Mrs S: Let's have a look. Hmmm, I think you've grown again!

John I can't wear it though.

Mrs S: Do you like it?

John Yeah, it's a nice colour.

Mrs S: I'll take it back to the supermarket and see if I can change it.

Mrs Smith had bought a nice new T-shirt for John, but when he tried it on it didn't fit.

It's Saturday evening and Mrs Smith has to return the T-shirt.

Mrs S: Excuse me, can you help me?

Shop Assistant Yes of course, what can I do for you?

Mrs S: I bought this T-shirt for my son this afternoon, but it doesn't fit him, it's too small.

Shop Assistant Do you want to change it or get a refund.

Mrs S: I'd like to change it for a larger size. Do you have these in large?

Shop Assistant I'll just check. Let's see, yes we have large or extra large, which would you prefer?

Mrs S: I think large will be fine, it's for my son.

Shop Assistant That's fine, if it doesn't fit just bring it back again. If you take it to the customer service desk, they'll sort it all out for you.

Mrs S: Thank you. Just as a matter of interest do you give refunds?

Shop Assistant Yes, of course. You can bring any clothing items back up to three weeks after purchase, but you must keep the reciept.

Mrs S: I see, thanks again.

Shop Assistant:

You're welcome.

Vocabulary – How to Talk about Shopping!

by Melanie on September 29, 2010

(Photo by ellewoods)

Do you like shopping? Let’s go shopping! (NOTE: it is not go to shopping.) Let’s take a look at some vocabulary related to shopping.

Do you have money to spend on clothes? If you not, you can still enjoy window-shopping. It’s free! When you window-shop, you just look at all the things for sale in a store without intending to buy anything.

If you do have money to spend on clothes, do you prefer to wait for a sale or do you shop when you need something? If something is for sale, you can buy it for money. If something is on sale, the price has been reduced from the original price.

When you find a piece of clothing you like in a store, it’s a good idea to try it on first before you buy it. You want to make sure that it fits. If you want to try something on, find a sales associate and ask: Can I try this on? or May I try this on? The sales associate will show you to the change rooms (also called ‘fitting rooms’ or ‘changing rooms’). While you are trying the clothes on, the sales associate sometimes asks: Does it fit? Would you like to try it in another size?

When you have decided to buy something, take all your items to the cash desk (or cashier) to pay for them. In Canada you have three options: you can pay by debit card (your bank card), use your credit card or pay cash. Most places accept a cheque, but almost nobody uses cheques to pay for things in a store anymore.

The cashier will put your new clothes in a paper or plastic bag, and then you get to take your new clothes home!

retail therapy

(noun) = this occurs when you go shopping and buy yourself things in order to make yourself feel better (when you are sad or unhappy)!

I’m really upset about breaking up with my boyfriend. I need some retail therapy!

a shopping spree

(noun) = you spend a lot of money and do a lot of shopping in a short amount of time.

She went on a shopping spree this afternoon! It looks like she bought everything in the store.

to shop till you drop

(verb expression) = to spend so much time and so much money shopping that you are physically and financially tired, you are ready to drop from exhaustion! You are so tired that you can’t shop anymore!A lot of stores are putting out their fall clothes now. Are you ready to shop till you drop?

to shop around

(phrasal verb) = before buying an expensive item (like household appliances or a car), you should compare the price and quality of the item in different stores.

We shopped around before buying the kitchen table, and we found that Sears had the best deal.

to shoplift

(verb) = to steal something from a store (to take something without paying for it).

My son was caught shoplifting. He stole a $100 jacket from The Gap.

Shopping

Here are some English phrases to help you when you go shopping, as well as some of the things you might see.

Opening times

what times are you open?

we're open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

we're open from 10am to 8pm, seven days a week

are you open on ...?

Saturday

Sunday

what time do you close?

what time do you close today?

what time do you open tomorrow?

Selecting goods

can I help you?

I'm just browsing, thanks

how much is this?

how much are these?

how much does this cost?

how much is that ... in the window?

lamp

that's cheap

that's good value

that's expensive

do you sell ...?

stamps

do you have any ...?

postcards

sorry, we don't sell them

sorry, we don't have any left

I'm looking for ...

the shampoo

a birthday card

could you tell me where the ... is?

washing up liquid

where can I find the ...?

toothpaste

have you got anything cheaper?

it's not what I'm looking for

do you have this item in stock?

do you know anywhere else I could try?

does it come with a guarantee?

it comes with a one year guarantee

do you deliver?

I'll take it

I'll take this

anything else?

would you like anything else?

Making payment

are you in the queue?

next, please!

do you take credit cards?

can I pay by cheque?

I'll pay in cash

I'll pay by card

could I have a receipt, please?

would you like a bag?

Returns and complaints

I'd like to return this

I'd like to change this for a different size

it doesn't work

it doesn't fit

could I have a refund?

have you got the receipt?

could I speak to the manager?

Things you might see

Open

Closed

Open 24 hours a day

Special offer

Sale

Clearance sale

Closing down sale

Good value

Buy 1 get 1 free

Buy 1 get 1 half price

Reduced to clear

Half price

Out to lunch

Back in 15 minutes

Shoplifters will be prosecuted

Using a credit card

Enter your PIN

Please wait

Remove card

Signature

Shopping and Vocabulary

Changing room / Fitting room a room in which you can put on clothes before buying them

Price tag a piece of paper with a price

Receipt a bill

Refund an amount of money that is returned to you when you are not happy with a product or service that you have bought

Size how large or small something is

Shopper someone buying things at a store

Discount store a shop in which goods are sold at cheap prices

Shopping list a list of all the things that you want to buy when you go shopping

Checkout the place in a store where you pay for your goods

Try on putting clothes on to find out whether they fit

Exchange change one thing for another

Afford if you have enough money to buy something and you are able to afford it

Suit to be fitted to, to befit

English exercise "Shopping and Vocabulary" created by greg100 with The test builderClick here to see the current stats of this English test [Save] [Load] [?]

1. Go to the and try this dress on.

2. Look at the ! This shirt is too expensive. You can't afford it.

3. I've lost my but I'd like to return this scarf. Is it possible?

4. I would like to return this electric

kettle. Can I have a ?

5. - May I try it on? - Yes, what

changing room

changing room Go to the * and tr Allez à la cabine price tag

price tag Look at the * ! Thi Regarde le prix! C afford

receipt I've lost my * but I J'ai perdu mon tic

refund

refund I w ould like to retu Je voudrais retou

shopper

are you?

6. I'd like to get a for these shoes because they are too tight.

7. There was a big sale at that mall

last week. Many arrived at 4 a.m. to ensure a good place in line.

8. We go to the because it sells products at lower prices.

9. Henry lost his and forgot to buy pork loin.

10. She worked on the

at the supermarket last summer.

11. - Have you got this dress in

black? - Yes, we have. - Can I ?

12. I missed my train because I was

queuing at the in a supermarket.

13. I bought this sweater yesterday

but it's too small. Can I it please?

14. We don't have enough money.

We aren't able to such expensive shoes.

15. - Where can I try the jeans on? -

The is over there.

16. This jacket you very well. I think you should buy it.

17. This tailcoat was very expensive

but Ted could still it.

18. You spend too much on clothes.

Don't you look at the before buying something?

19. I'm going to buy her the blue

dress. This colour her best.

20. If you don't like the colour of the

pullover, you can it. You'll get another one.

shopper

size - May I try it on? - -Puis-je l'essayer refund

refund I'd like to get a * fo Je voudrais que v

shopper

shoppers There w as a big Il y avait des sold changing room

discount store We go to the * be Nous allons au m shopping list

shopping list Henry lost his * a Henri a perdu sa

changing room

checkout She w orked on th Elle a travaillé à la

exchange

try it on - Have you got th -Avez-vous cette

receipt

checkout I missed my train J'ai raté mon train

receipt

exchange I bought this sw e J'ai acheté ce pul

afford

afford We don't have en Nous n'avons pas

discount store

fitting room - Where can I try - Où puis-je essa sizes

suits This jacket * you Cette veste vous

suit

afford This tailcoat w as Ce costume queu

price tag

price tag You spend too m Tu dépenses trop

suits

suits I'm going to buy h Je vais lui achete

receipt

Word ListShop Assistant

Can I help you?What can I do for you?

Are you being served ?Sorry, we don't sell stamps.

Anything else? It's on offer.

Buy two for the price of one.How much / many would you like?What size do you take?

Sorry, we are out of bread .

Would another colour do?Would you like to try it on?The fitting room is over there.

The dress suits you very well.Pay at the cash desk / till, please.I'll take this to the cash desk / till for you.Here you are. / Here you go.You're welcome.

That's 20 euros/euro altogether .

You don't happen to have any change , do you?Here's your change.

CustomerI need ...

I'd like a bottle of milk, please.

Have you got souvenirs ?Do you sell stamps?Where can I buy post cards?Where can I get a film for my camera?Where can I find newspapers?

Are these bottles returnable ?It doesn't fit me.

It doesn't suit me.I don't like it.

It's too small / big / wide / tight / expensive .I'm size ...

Have you got this in another size / colour?May I try this on, please?Where can I try this on, please?How much is it?That's all.Where is the cash desk / till?

Could I get a receipt , please?Could I get a (plastic) bag, please?

(I'm afraid/ Sorry) I don't have any change .

Do you accept credit cards?

bakery (béikeri) - panadería

barber's (bárbers) - barbería

bookstore (búkstor) - librería

butcher's (búchers) - carnicería

cake shop (kéik shop) - pastelería

candy store (kándi stor) - tienda de golosinas

children's wear (chíldrens uér) - ropa de niño

clothing store (klóuding stor) - tienda de ropas

coffee shop (kófi shop) - cafetería

confectioner's (konfékshoners) - pastelería

dairy store (déri stor) - lechería

delicatessen (délikatesen) - fiambrería

drugstore (drágstor) - farmacia

dry cleaner's (drái-klíiners) - tintorería

estate agency (estéit éidchensi) - agencia inmobiliaria

fishmonger's (físhmonguers) - pescadería

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florist's (flórists) - floristería

fruit shop (frút shop) - frutería

furniture store (férnicher stor) - mueblería

gas station (gás stéishon) - gasolinería

greengrocer's (gríingrousers) - verdulería

grocery store (gróuseri stor) - almacén

hairdresser's (herdrésers) - peluquería

hardware shop (hárduer shop) - ferretería

herbalist's shop (hérbalists shop) - herboristería

ice-cream parlour (áiskrim párlor) - heladería

ironmonger's (áironmonguers) - ferretería

jeweller's (dchúelers) - joyería

jewellery store (dchúelri stor) - joyería

kiosk (kíosk) - quiosco

ladies' wear (léidis uér) - ropa de señora

laundromat (lóndromat) - lavandería automática

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leather goods shop (léder gúuds shop) - marroquinería

mall (móol) - centro comercial

market (márket) - mercado

men's wear (méns uér) - ropa de caballero

music store (miúsik stor) - tienda de música

newsstand (niússtand) - quiosco de periódicos

optician's (optíshans) - optica

perfumery (perfiúmery) - perfumería

pet shop (pét shop) - tienda de animales

pharmacy (fármasi) - farmacia

shoe shop (shú shop) - zapatería

shopping center (shóping sénter) - centro comercial

shops (shops) - tiendas

souvenir shop (suveníir shop) - tienda de souvenirs

sports store (spórts stor) - tienda de deportes

stationery store (stéishoneri stor) - papelería

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stores (stór) - tiendas

supermarket (súpermarket) - supermercado

toy store (tói stor) - juguetería

travel agency (trável éidchensi) - agencia de viajes

vegetable store (védchetabl stor) - verdulería

video store (vídiou stor) - tienda de videos

1. Bag

2. Barcode

3. Basket

4. Branded Items

5. Buy

6. Cash

7. Cashier

8. Change

9. Changing Room

10. Cheque

11. Coin

12. Credit Card

13. Customers

14. Debit Card

15. Delivery

16. Escalator

17. Grocery

18. Lift

19. Note

20. Purchase

21. Purse

22. Rack

23. Representative

24. Sales-Boy

25. Sales-Girl

26. Sales-Man

27. Scale

28. Shelf

29. Shop

30. Till

31. Trolley

32. Wallet

33.

34. Shopaholic

35. Es una persona adicta a las compras. Por ejemplo: Sally is a real shopaholic - she spends all her money on clothes!

36. ¿Estás buscando algo en especial?

37. El/la dependiente/a te pregunta si necesitas ayuda.

38. I'm just looking

39. Utiliza esta expresión cuando no necesitas que el dependiente o la dependienta te ayude y quieres mirar por tu cuenta.

40. Is this on sale?

41. Muchas tiendas y almacenes tienen rebajas al final de cada temporada.

42. It's 10% off

43. El precio ha sido reducido un 10%.

44. This is a real bargain!

45. Quiere decir que es un producto a un precio bajo.

46. Do you have this in another color?

47. Utiliza esta expresión cuando te guste el estilo pero la talla o el color no es el adecuado, por ejemplo: Do you have this in blue?

48. Can I try this on?

49. Casi todas las tiendas tienen un probador donde te puedes probar la ropa para ver si te sienta bien, antes decidirte a comprarla.

50. That comes to...

51. Significa el precio total, por ejemplo: That comes to $55.

52. El cajero o la cajera te preguntará cómo quieres pagar

53. I'm just looking (sólo estoy mirando). Es una buena forma de responder a "Can I help you find anything?" (¿puedo ayudarle en algo?) si todavía no has decidido qué quieres comprar.

54. Where are your fitting rooms? puedes preguntar al vendedor o vendedora, si quieres probar cómo te queda una prenda antes de comprarla. En Gran Bretaña deberás preguntar por los

changing rooms.

55. Does this come in other colors?(¿lo tiene en otros colores?). No a todo el mundo le gusta el negro o el blanco. No dudes en preguntar a la persona encargada de la tienda, si encuentras algo

que te gusta pero lo preferirías de otro color.

56. Do you have this in other sizes? Acabas de encontrar el atuendo perfecto para las vacaciones...¡ahora sólo te falta ver si tienen tu talla!. Pregunta a la dependienta si la tienen usando esta

expresión.

57. Do you have any of these in stock? Ves algo que te gusta en el escaparate pero no lo encuentras en la tienda ¡no te desanimes! usa esta expresión para preguntar al vendedor o vendedora si

tiene uno left in stock. Puede que todavía les quede alguno en el almacén.

58. Can I put this on hold? ¿No estás seguro/a de haber elegido el regalo adecuado? Sólo tienes que pedir a la persona encargada de la tienda "to put it on hold", y él/ella te lo apartará durante

un par de días; así podrás seguir buscando sin que desaparezca antes de que te hayas decidido.

59. I'd like a gift receipt for this. Muchas tiendas te pueden dar, si lo pides, un gift receipt - un recibo en el que no aparece el precio. Así, si el regalo que has elegido no es el adecuado después de

todo, la persona que lo recibe lo puede cambiar o devolver sin problemas. Y si decide quedárselo, ¡nunca sabrá lo que te ha costado!.

60. Can I get a price check for this? ¿No encuentras la etiqueta con el precio del artículo? hazle esta pregunta a la persona que trabaja en la caja y seguro que él/ella te lo podrá decir.

61. What's your return policy? Antes de comprar el regalo que has elegido, asegúrate de que se puede cambiar o devolver, haciéndole esta pregunta a la persona encargada de la caja.

62. Do you provide gift-wrapping? ¿No tienes tiempo de envolver los regalos? ¡No te preocupes! Muchas tiendas ofrecen este servicio a sus clientes, especialmente durante las Fiestas.