Shopping

My English Language

English for Shopping

When shopping for food or for clothes you will need certain words and phrases to communicate with shop assistants, to ask questions and pay for your goods.

Using English when shopping for food

General vocabulary

Food shopping

shop, store, corner shop, supermarket

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tea, coffee, squash, cordial

groceries, fresh produce, frozen food, cheese counter

meat section, chilled cabinet, dairy

fishmongers, butcher, baker, green grocer

Checkout, cashier, basket, trolley, carrier bag

Queue, till, packing, loyalty card

meat, fish, pork, ham, bacon, spare rib, beef, braising steak, sirloin, rump, chicken, turkey, goose, lamb, fillet, pork chop, sausages, burger

cod, haddock, trout, sardines

breakfast cereals, milk, fruit juice, bread, yoghurt

a pound, half a pound, seven ounces, a kilo

diced, sliced, chopped

grilled, baked, steamed, fried, poached, boiled

marinated, a marinade

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Phrases you may want to use	Phrase you may hear
Can I have another carrier bag, please? I'd like to use this voucher Could you tell me where I can find the meat section? Can I have half a kilo of apples, please This fruit is bruised Can I pay by credit card? Can you prepare the fish for me, please?	How much would you like? Are you being served? Do you need any help with your packing? Do you have a loyalty card? That'll be ten pounds fifty, please That's ten pounds fifty Please enter your PIN Would you like that sliced?

Phrases you may see

Basket only

Cash only

10 items or less

Queue here

Best before date

Use by date

Buy one get one free

Get three for the price of two

Pre-washed

Washed and ready to eat

Using English when shopping for clothes

General vocabulary

Clothes shopping

department store, boutique, shoe shop, clothes chop

high fashion, trendy, vintage, retro

skirt, dress, trousers, jeans, jumper, cardigan top, tights, belt, suit, tie

shoes, boots, sandals, slippers, high heels, flat shoes, wedges

coat, jacket, gloves, mittens, hat, scarf,

socks, underwear, bra, pants, knickers, thermal underwear, vest, slip

womenswear, menswear, childrenswear

small (S), medium (M), large (L), extra small (XS), extra large (XL), petite, tall,

big, loose, baggy, long, small, tight, skimpy, short

refund, return, exchange

shop assistant, till

fitting room, changing room

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Phrases you may want to use	Phrases you may hear
Could I try this on, please? Can I try this in a different/bigger/smaller size? Could you tell me where the fitting/changing room is, please? I'm a size ... I take a size ... What is this material/fabric? What is this made from/of? This doesn't fit It's too big/small/loose/tight/short/long Do you accept returns? Can I exchange this please? Can I get a refund for this, please?	Would you like to try it on? What size are you? What size do you take? How does that feel? Any good? It suits you Is that a good fit? Please use the fitting room