Essential English Phrases for Shopping

Navigate Shopping in English with Confidence

Embarking on a shopping spree can be daunting if you're not fluent in the local language. This guide is crafted to empower ESL learners with essential phrases used in retail settings, enhancing both your shopping experience and language skills. By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to handle various shopping scenarios with ease, from inquiring about products to handling transactions.

Useful Vocabulary for Shopping in English

This lesson will cover common phrases that you might need during a shopping trip. Whether you're buying clothes, groceries, or electronics, knowing these phrases can help you communicate more effectively with sales staff and fellow shoppers. We'll explore each expression, its use, and practical examples to help you apply them in real-life situations.

Key Shopping Phrases and How to Use Them

1. Are you in the queue?

   • Asking if someone is waiting in line.
   • Example: Before you stand behind someone, ask, "Are you in the queue?"

2. Next, please!

   • Used by service staff to indicate the next customer can come forward.
   • Example: When it's your turn at the checkout, you might hear, "Next, please!"

3. Do you take credit cards?

   • Inquiring about payment methods.
   • Example: At the register, you might ask, "Do you take credit cards?"

4. I'll pay in cash.

   • Indicating your payment method.
   • Example: When ready to pay, say, "I'll pay in cash."

5. I'll pay by card.

   • Choosing to pay with a debit or credit card.
   • Example: At checkout, you might say, "I'll pay by card."

6. Could I have a receipt, please?

   • Requesting proof of purchase.
   • Example: After paying, ask, "Could I have a receipt, please?"

7. Would you be able to gift wrap it for me?

   • Asking for the item to be wrapped as a gift.
   • Example: "Would you be able to gift wrap it for me, please?"

8. Would you like a bag?

   • Often asked by the cashier to know if you need a bag for your purchases.
   • Example: Respond with "Yes, please" or "No, thank you."

9. I'd like to return this.

   • Stating your intention to return an item.
   • Example: "I'd like to return this, it wasn’t what I expected."

10. I'd like to change this for a different size.

    • Requesting a different size for an item.
    • Example: "I'd like to change this for a different size, do you have it in medium?"

11. It doesn't work.

    • Reporting a malfunctioning product.
    • Example: "I need to return this coffee maker; it doesn't work."

12. It doesn't fit.

    • Explaining that an item is not the right size.
    • Example: "This jacket is too small; it doesn't fit me."

13. Could I have a refund?

    • Asking to get your money back for a returned item.
    • Example: "This toaster is broken; could I have a refund, please?"

14. Have you got the receipt?

    • Often asked by the cashier when processing a return.
    • Example: "To complete your return, have you got the receipt?"

15. Could I speak to the manager?

    • Requesting to discuss an issue with a higher authority.
    • Example: "There seems to be a problem with my bill. Could I speak to the manager?"

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

    • Asking for the location of a product within the store.
    • Example: "Could you tell me where the dairy products are?"

17. Where can I find the ...?

    • Another way to ask for a product's location.
    • Example: "Where can I find the children’s clothing section?"

18. Have you got anything cheaper?

    • Inquiring if there are less expensive alternatives available.
    • Example: "This camera is a bit pricey. Have you got anything cheaper?"

19. It's not what I'm looking for.

    • Declining an offered product because it doesn’t meet your needs.
    • Example: "This table is nice, but it's not what I'm looking for."

20. Do you have this item in stock?

    • Asking if the product is available for purchase.
    • Example: "Do you have this model of smartphone in stock?"

21. Do you know anywhere else I could try?

    • Asking for suggestions on other places to find a specific item.
    • Example: "You don’t have this book; do you know anywhere else I could try?"

22. Does it come with a guarantee?

    • Inquiring about the warranty or guarantee of a product.
    • Example: "Does this blender come with a guarantee?"

23. How much is this?

    • Asking the price of a specific item.
    • Example: "This scarf is lovely; how much is this?"

24. How much are these?

    • Asking the price for multiple items.
    • Example: "These souvenirs look great; how much are these?"

25. How much does this cost?

    • Another way to inquire about the price.
    • Example: "How much does this desk cost?"

26. What times are you open?

    • Asking about the store's operating hours.
    • Example: "What times are you open on weekends?"

27. Is this on sale?

    • Querying if there is a discount on an item.
    • Example: "Is this jacket on sale?"

28. Can I try this on?

    • Requesting permission to use the fitting room.
    • Example: "Can I try this dress on?"

29. Is there a fitting room available?

    • Asking if there is a space available to try on clothes.
    • Example: "Is there a fitting room available?"

30. Do you offer discounts for students?

    • Inquiring about any possible student discounts.
    • Example: "Do you offer discounts for students?"

31. Can I get this in another color?

    • Asking if a product is available in different colors.
    • Example: "I like this shirt; can I get this in another color?"

32. Do you have a larger size?

    • Requesting a bigger size for an item.
    • Example: "Do you have a larger size in these shoes?"

33. Do you provide delivery?

    • Asking if the store offers a delivery service.
    • Example: "Do you provide delivery for furniture?"

34. Is this item eligible for a return?

    • Confirming the return policy for a specific item.
    • Example: "Is this item eligible for a return if it doesn’t fit?"

35. Can you hold this for me?

    • Requesting the store to reserve an item temporarily.
    • Example: "I will come back tomorrow; can you hold this for me?"

36. Do you have a loyalty program?

    • Inquiring about a store’s rewards or loyalty program.
    • Example: "Do you have a loyalty program that I can join?"

37. Where is the checkout?

    • Asking for the location of the payment counter.
    • Example: "Where is the checkout in this store?"

38. Is this the best price you can offer?

    • Negotiating for a lower price.
    • Example: "Is this the best price you can offer on this rug?"

39. I need help with this product.

    • Requesting assistance or more information about a product.
    • Example: "I need help with this vacuum cleaner; how does it work?"

40. Can I get a discount on this?

    • Asking if a discount is possible for an item.
    • Example: "This has a small scratch. Can I get a discount on this?"

These phrases will help you navigate various shopping situations more effectively and confidently.

Summary and Takeaways

To practice these phrases, consider role-playing different shopping scenarios alone or with a friend. This exercise will help you become more comfortable using them in real situations. This lesson provided you with fundamental phrases that will assist in making your shopping experiences as smooth as possible. Incorporating these into your everyday English will not only boost your confidence but also enhance your practical language skills. For memorisation, try associating each phrase with a specific shopping scenario. Remember, practice makes perfect! We encourage you to share what you’ve learned and visit our Facebook page Learning English Free for more resources and community support.