An ESL lesson covering essential shopping vocabulary, including over 80 practical examples and their meanings to enhance your English communication skills while shopping.

 

Introduction to Common Shopping Words: Meanings and Examples

 

Shopping can be a delightful experience, especially when you are equipped with the right vocabulary. This lesson on "Common Shopping Words" is designed to help you navigate various shopping scenarios with ease. By the end of this lesson, you will be familiar with common shopping phrases, understand their meanings, and be able to use them confidently in real-life situations.

 

Useful Vocabulary for Shopping

In this lesson, we will cover a range of useful vocabulary and phrases that are commonly used while shopping. You will learn how to ask for prices, describe payment methods, and interact with shop assistants. This knowledge will not only enhance your shopping experience but also boost your confidence in using English in everyday contexts.

Our goal is to make sure you are well-prepared for your next shopping trip, whether it is for groceries, clothes, or any other items. By mastering these phrases, you will be able to communicate more effectively and enjoy your shopping experiences.

Main Content

Shopping can be an enjoyable and fulfilling activity, especially when you know the right words and phrases to use. Here are some essential shopping words, their meanings, and examples of how to use them:

 

Window Shopping

  1. Window Shopping
    • Meaning: Looking at items on sale without intending to buy.
    • Example: "I enjoy window shopping on weekends."

Payment Methods

  1. In Cash

    • Meaning: Using cash to make a purchase.
    • Example: "Can I pay in cash?"
  2. By Card

    • Meaning: Using a credit or debit card to make a purchase.
    • Example: "Can I pay by card?"

Spending Money

  1. Spend Money on Something
    • Meaning: Using money to buy or pay for something.
    • Example: "I spend too much money on clothes."

Receipts and Proof of Purchase

  1. A Receipt
    • Meaning: A paper proof of a purchase.
    • Example: "Can I have a receipt, please?"

Grocery Shopping

  1. Grocery Shopping
    • Meaning: Shopping for food items.
    • Example: "I go grocery shopping every Saturday."

Retail Therapy

  1. Retail Therapy
    • Meaning: Shopping to feel better emotionally.
    • Example: "I needed some retail therapy after a tough week."

Bargains and Deals

  1. What a Bargain?

    • Meaning: Finding something for much less than normal.
    • Example: "This dress was only £10. What a bargain!"
  2. A Bargain

    • Meaning: Excellent value for an item or purchase.
    • Example: "I found a real bargain at the sale."
  3. A Good Deal

    • Meaning: Paying a low price for something.
    • Example: "I got a good deal on this jacket."

Online Shopping

  1. Shop Online
    • Meaning: Shopping on the Internet.
    • Example: "I prefer to shop online for convenience."

Regular Shopping

  1. Do Shopping
    • Meaning: Doing weekly or monthly shopping.
    • Example: "I need to do some shopping this weekend."

Price Comparison

  1. Shop Around
    • Meaning: Comparing prices in different shops before buying.
    • Example: "It's wise to shop around for the best prices."

Shopping Habits

  1. A Shopaholic
    • Meaning: Someone who loves shopping excessively.
    • Example: "My friend is a shopaholic; she shops every day."

Money Holders

  1. A Wallet
    • Meaning: A holder for money and cards.
    • Example: "I need to buy a new wallet."

Returning Items

  1. Take Something Back
    • Meaning: Returning an unwanted item to a shop.
    • Example: "I need to take this dress back; it doesn't fit."

Shopping Locations

  1. Outlet Mall
    • Meaning: A large group of stores in one location.
    • Example: "We went to the outlet mall to find some bargains."

Refunds

  1. Get a Refund
    • Meaning: Receiving money back after returning an item.
    • Example: "I got a refund for the defective product."

Sale Prices

  1. On Sale
    • Meaning: Available at a reduced price.
    • Example: "These shoes are on sale for half price."

Trying Clothes

  1. Try Something On
    • Meaning: Trying clothes in a shop before buying them.
    • Example: "Can I try this dress on?"

Price Labels

  1. Price Tag
    • Meaning: A label showing the price of an article.
    • Example: "I can't find the price tag on this shirt."

Wasting Money

  1. Waste Money on Something
    • Meaning: Unnecessarily spending money on something.
    • Example: "Don't waste money on things you don't need."

Going Shopping

  1. Go Shopping
    • Meaning: Going to shops to buy things.
    • Example: "Let's go shopping this afternoon."

Searching for Bargains

  1. Bargain Hunting
    • Meaning: Searching for items at reduced prices.
    • Example: "We spent the day bargain hunting at the market."

Sale Items

  1. For Sale

    • Meaning: Available to buy.
    • Example: "This house is for sale."
  2. Sale

    • Meaning: A period when items are sold at reduced prices.
    • Example: "The summer sale starts next week."

Additional Examples

  1. Clearance Sale

    • Meaning: A sale to clear out old stock at reduced prices.
    • Example: "There is a clearance sale at the store."
  2. Discount

    • Meaning: A reduction in the price.
    • Example: "I got a 20% discount on this coat."
  3. Receipt Number

    • Meaning: The number printed on a receipt to identify it.
    • Example: "Please keep your receipt number for returns."
  4. Shopping Cart

    • Meaning: A cart used to carry items while shopping.
    • Example: "I need a shopping cart for all these groceries."
  5. Customer Service

    • Meaning: The assistance and advice provided by a company to those people who buy or use its products or services.
    • Example: "Please contact customer service for more information."
  6. Exchange an Item

    • Meaning: To return an item to a store and get another one in its place.
    • Example: "Can I exchange this shirt for a larger size?"
  7. Gift Receipt

    • Meaning: A receipt given when purchasing a gift, which allows the recipient to exchange it.
    • Example: "Could I get a gift receipt with this purchase?"
  8. Loyalty Card

    • Meaning: A card issued by a shop to allow customers to accumulate points or get discounts.
    • Example: "Do you have a loyalty card with us?"
  9. Out of Stock

    • Meaning: When a product is not available for sale.
    • Example: "The item you want is currently out of stock."
  10. Point of Sale

    • Meaning: The place where a sale is made.
    • Example: "You can pay at the point of sale."
  11. Pre-Order

    • Meaning: Ordering a product before it is available.
    • Example: "You can pre-order the new book online."
  12. Sales Associate

    • Meaning: An employee who assists customers in a store.
    • Example: "Ask the sales associate for help if you need it."
  13. Store Credit

    • Meaning: Credit that a store issues to a customer for returned merchandise that can be used for future purchases.
    • Example: "I got store credit for the returned item."
  14. Cash Register

    • Meaning: A machine used in shops to calculate and record sales and transactions.
    • Example: "She rang up the purchase on the cash register."
  15. Shopping List

    • Meaning: A list of items to be purchased.
    • Example: "I always make a shopping list before going to the supermarket."
  16. Special Offer

    • Meaning: A product sold at a reduced price or with a special deal.
    • Example: "There is a special offer on these chocolates."
  17. Layaway

    • Meaning: A system where one pays a deposit to secure an item and pays the rest later.
    • Example: "Can I put this item on layaway?"
  18. Store Hours

    • Meaning: The hours during which a store is open.
    • Example: "What are your store hours?"
  19. Shoplift

    • Meaning: To steal goods from a shop.
    • Example: "He was caught trying to shoplift."
  20. Shopping Mall

    • Meaning: A large building or series of connected buildings containing different shops.
    • Example: "Let's go to the shopping mall this weekend."
  21. Price Match

    • Meaning: A store's policy of matching a competitor's lower price.
    • Example: "Do you offer price matching?"
  22. Cashier

    • Meaning: A person handling payments and receipts in a store.
    • Example: "I paid the cashier for my groceries."
  23. Checkout

    • Meaning: The area in a shop where one pays for items.
    • Example: "There is a long line at the checkout."
  24. Gift Card

    • Meaning: A prepaid card used to make purchases.
    • Example: "I received a gift card for my birthday."
  25. Price Adjustment

    • Meaning: A change in the price of an item after purchase.
    • Example: "Can I get a price adjustment if this item goes on sale?"
  26. Online Store

    • Meaning: A website where products are sold.
    • Example: "I bought these shoes from an online store."
  27. Store Manager

    • Meaning: The person in charge of a store.
    • Example: "Please speak to the store manager about your complaint."
  28. Grand Opening

    • Meaning: The official opening of a new store.
    • Example: "We are having a grand opening next Saturday."
  29. Inventory

    • Meaning: The stock of goods a store has on hand.
    • Example: "The inventory is checked every month."
  30. Return Policy

    • Meaning: The rules for returning items to a store.
    • Example: "What is your return policy?"
  31. Customer Satisfaction

    • Meaning: The measure of how products and services supplied by a company meet or surpass customer expectations.
    • Example: "Our goal is to ensure customer satisfaction."
  32. Seasonal Sale

    • Meaning: A sale that happens during a specific season.
    • Example: "The winter seasonal sale starts next week."
  33. Restock

    • Meaning: To refill the stock of goods in a store.
    • Example: "We need to restock the shelves."
  34. Backorder

    • Meaning: An order for a product that is not currently available.
    • Example: "The item is on backorder and will be shipped next month."
  35. Coupon

    • Meaning: A voucher entitling the holder to a discount off a particular product.
    • Example: "I have a coupon for 10% off."
  36. Bulk Purchase

    • Meaning: Buying large quantities of a product.
    • Example: "You can save money by making a bulk purchase."
  37. Clearance

    • Meaning: Selling off stock at reduced prices.
    • Example: "The store is having a clearance sale."
  38. Frequent Buyer Program

    • Meaning: A program offering rewards to regular customers.
    • Example: "Join our frequent buyer program for discounts."
  39. Flash Sale

    • Meaning: A sale that happens for a very short period.
    • Example: "Don't miss our flash sale this afternoon."
  40. Receipt Book

    • Meaning: A book used to keep copies of sales receipts.
    • Example: "Please enter the transaction in the receipt book."
  41. Storefront

    • Meaning: The facade of a store.
    • Example: "The storefront was decorated for the holidays."
  42. Department Store

    • Meaning: A large store with many departments selling a variety of goods.
    • Example: "We went shopping at the department store."
  43. Shopkeeper

    • Meaning: A person who owns or manages a shop.
    • Example: "The shopkeeper greeted us warmly."
  44. Restocking Fee

    • Meaning: A fee charged for returning an item.
    • Example: "Is there a restocking fee for returns?"
  45. Store Directory

    • Meaning: A list or map showing the locations of shops in a mall.
    • Example: "Check the store directory to find the shop you need."
  46. Big Box Store

    • Meaning: A large retail establishment, usually part of a chain.
    • Example: "We bought our TV from a big box store."
  47. Consumer Electronics

    • Meaning: Electronic equipment intended for everyday use.
    • Example: "The store has a wide range of consumer electronics."
  48. Price Reduction

    • Meaning: A decrease in the price of a product.
    • Example: "There is a price reduction on this model."
  49. Opening Hours

    • Meaning: The hours when a store is open.
    • Example: "What are the opening hours for the store?"
  50. Store Policy

    • Meaning: The rules set by a store regarding returns, exchanges, etc.
    • Example: "Please read our store policy before making a purchase."
  51. Layaway Plan

    • Meaning: A system where a customer pays a deposit and makes payments until the item is fully paid for.
    • Example: "Can I use the layaway plan for this item?"
  52. Impulse Buy

    • Meaning: A spontaneous, unplanned purchase.
    • Example: "That was an impulse buy at the checkout."
  53. In-Store Pickup

    • Meaning: Collecting an online order from a physical store.
    • Example: "I chose in-store pickup for my online order."
  54. Gift Wrapping

    • Meaning: Wrapping a gift in decorative paper.
    • Example: "Do you offer gift wrapping services?"
  55. Shopping Basket

    • Meaning: A small basket used to carry items while shopping.
    • Example: "I need a shopping basket for these items."
  56. Retail Store

    • Meaning: A store that sells goods to the public.
    • Example: "She works at a retail store in the mall."

 

Summary and Takeaways

 

Lesson Overview

This lesson covered essential shopping vocabulary, providing a comprehensive guide to the words and phrases you need to know when shopping. The aim was to equip you with the necessary language skills to navigate various shopping scenarios confidently.

Key Phrases Learnt

You have learnt over 80 key phrases, from asking for prices and payment methods to returning items and understanding sale terms. These phrases are crucial for effective communication while shopping.

Practice Exercises

To reinforce your learning, practice using these phrases in role-playing scenarios or write dialogues involving shopping situations. Visiting English-speaking retail websites and observing the language used can also help you become more familiar with these terms.

Tips for Remembering

To remember these phrases, associate them with specific shopping experiences. Creating flashcards, practising with a partner, or using the phrases in real-life situations can aid in retention.

Further Lessons

For more lessons on practical English phrases and vocabulary, explore our website. We offer a variety of lessons designed to help you improve your English in different contexts, from shopping to everyday conversations.

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