A colorful infographic highlighting shopping adjectives like trendy, affordable, bespoke, and branded, designed to help ESL learners expand their retail vocabulary.

Introduction to Shopping Adjectives

 

In today's lesson, "Shopping Adjectives: Enhancing Your Retail Vocabulary," we'll explore various adjectives commonly used in shopping. Whether you're describing the latest fashion, assessing the value of products, or specifying the type of merchandise, these adjectives are essential. You'll learn to describe items as trendy, affordable, or bespoke, enabling you to communicate more effectively about shopping experiences. Key terms include: trendy, affordable, upmarket, bespoke, branded, and handmade.

Learning Objectives

  • Understand and use shopping-related adjectives to describe products.
  • Differentiate between adjectives based on quality, price, and exclusivity.
  • Apply these adjectives in real-life shopping scenarios to enhance communication.

Useful Vocabulary for Shopping Adjectives

Trendy

Meaning: Cool, fashionable; something that is currently popular. Example: "She always wears the most trendy outfits right off the runway."

Affordable

Meaning: Not expensive; priced within one's budget. Example: "I'm looking for an affordable smartphone with good features."

Upmarket

Meaning: Designed for or used by wealthy customers; high-end. Example: "They opened a new upmarket boutique in the city centre."

Bespoke

Meaning: Custom-made; specially designed for a particular person or purpose. Example: "He ordered a bespoke suit for his wedding."

Branded / Brand-name

Meaning: Products made by well-known companies, often with the company name visible. Example: "She prefers to buy branded cosmetics for their quality assurance."

Commercial

Meaning: Produced with the intent to sell. Example: "Commercial films are made to appeal to a wide audience."

Custom-built / Custom-made

Meaning: Designed and made for a specific user or purpose. Example: "They invested in a custom-built kitchen that fits their needs perfectly."

Handmade

Meaning: Made by hand, not by machine; often implies quality and uniqueness. Example: "This handmade pottery is more expensive but worth it."

Machine-made

Meaning: Produced with the help of machines, often in large quantities. Example: "Machine-made garments are usually less expensive than handmade ones."

Licensed

Meaning: Having official permission to be made or sold. Example: "Licensed merchandise from movies can be quite collectible."

Liquid

Meaning: Refers to assets or products that can be quickly sold. Example: "Liquid markets allow for goods to be bought and sold easily."

Ready-made

Meaning: Pre-existing or pre-assembled; not needing to be custom made. Example: "Ready-made meals are convenient for busy evenings."

All out

Meaning: Having sold all of a particular product; no more stock available. Example: "We are all out of the limited edition trainers already."

A pig in a poke

Meaning: Buying something without inspecting it first is a risky purchase. Example: "Buying a car without a test drive is like buying a pig in a poke."

 

Conclusion / Summary and Takeaways

Today's lesson on "Shopping Adjectives: Enhancing Your Retail Vocabulary" equipped you with a range of descriptive words crucial for any shopping experience. Understanding these adjectives enables you to discuss and inquire about products more precisely, whether you're searching for something trendy, assessing if an item is affordable, or exploring upmarket options.

  1. Key Phrases: Remember terms like "bespoke" for custom-made items and "branded" for products from well-known companies.
  2. Tips for Remembering: Create visual aids, like flashcards, or use sticky notes around your house with different adjectives and their meanings.
  3. Practical Application: Next time you go shopping, try to describe items using the adjectives you've learned today. It's a great way to reinforce your learning.
  4. Engagement: Share your shopping experiences and how you used these adjectives on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/learningenglishfree.co.uk. We love hearing from our learners!
  5. Continuous Learning: Always be on the lookout for new adjectives and terms by reading product descriptions and reviews online.

Remember, the more you practice, the more confidently you'll navigate shopping conversations, both in-store and online. Keep exploring, and don't hesitate to reach out for more insights and lessons on our Facebook page.

Latest Lessons

  • Common Injuries and How to Talk About Them in English – With Over 100 Examples
     
  • Possessive Pronouns in English: A Comprehensive Guide with Examples
     
  • Tense Changes in Reported Speech: Rules, Examples, and Usage
     
  • Phrasal Verbs for Relationships: Definitions, Examples, and Usage
     
  • Water Remedies: Heal with Water for Optimal Health and Beauty
     
  • Speak English with Confidence: Tips and Techniques