Shopping is an integral part of daily life and feeling comfortable communicating in English while shopping can enhance your overall experience. Whether you’re visiting a local deli to pick up fresh produce, exploring the latest fashion trends on the high street, or navigating the aisles of a supermarket, knowing the right words and expressions will empower you to communicate effectively with shop staff and fellow shoppers.
There are lots of times when you might need to communicate while shopping, such as asking for assistance and discussing product details, making payments at the till and expressing preferences.
Whether you’re planning a grocery run, heading on a shopping spree or simply browsing for essentials, our shopping vocabulary can help you shop with confidence in English-speaking environments.
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. Explore our lists of shopping vocabulary below for useful phrases for buying items, asking for information, returning goods and other common shopping-related activities.
Using English when shopping for food
General food shopping vocabulary
Food shopping
shop, store, corner shop, supermarket
tea, coffee, squash, juice, cordial
groceries, fresh produce, frozen food, cheese counter
meat section, chilled cabinet, frozen foods, dairy
fishmonger, 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, tuna
breakfast cereals, fruit juice, bread, yoghurt
dairy, eggs, free range, milk, skimmed milk, semi-skimmed milk, whole milk
A carton of eggs – image source
a pound, half a pound, seven ounces, a kilo, a dozen, half a dozen
diced, sliced, chopped, peeled, shredded
grilled, baked, steamed, fried, poached, boiled, roast
marinated, a marinade
stew, casserole, stir fry, roast
| Phrases you may want to use | |
| Can I have another carrier bag, please? | I’d like to use this voucher |
| Could you tell me where the meat section is? | This fruit is bruised |
| I’ll have half a kilo of apples, please | Can I pay by credit card? |
| Could you prepare the fish for me, please? | Where are the trolleys? |
| Could I have some help packing? | Where is the fresh produce? |
| Phrases you may hear | |
| How much would you like? | Do you have a loyalty card? |
| Are you being served? | That will be ten pounds fifty pence, please |
| Do you need any help packing? | That’s ten pounds fifty |
| Please enter your pin | Would you like that sliced? |
| Phrases you may see | |
| Baskets only | Queue here |
| Express checkout | Self checkout |
| Cash only | Best before date |
| 10 items or less | Use by date / Sell by date |
| Buy one get one free (BOGOF) | 3 for the price of 2 |
| Washed and ready to eat | Buy one get one half price |
| Pre-washed | Open this way up |
| Free range | Dairy section |
Using English when shopping for clothes
General clothes shopping vocabulary
Clothes shopping
department store, boutique, shoe shop, clothes shop
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
racks of clothes, piles of clothes, shelves of clothes
socks, underwear, bra, pants, knickers, thermal underwear, vest, slip, camisole, tights
womenswear, menswear, childrenswear
Mannequins in a shop window – image source
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, credit note
sale, discount, money off
shop assistant, till
fitting room, changing room
cotton, modal, denim, linen, silk, satin, wool, rayon, polyester, nylon, lycra
| Phrases you may want to use | |
| Can I try this on please? | This doesn’t fit. |
| Can I try this in a different/bigger/smaller size? | It is too big/loose/small/tight/short/long |
| Can you tell me where the fitting/changing room is? | Do you accept returns? |
| I am size… | Could I exchange this please? |
| I take a size … | Can I get a refund? |
| What is this made from? | What time does this shop close? |
| Is this item in the sale? | Is there any money off this item? |
| Phrases you may hear | |
| Would you like to try it on? | That colour suits you |
| What size are you / what size do you take? | Would you like to try a different size? |
| How does that feel? | Is that a good fit? |
| Any good? | You can use the fitting room |
| Phrases you may see | |
| Changing room / Fitting room | Machine washable |
| Sale / Clearance | No tumble drying |
| Cash and wrap / Pay here | Dry clean only |
| Return within 28 days for a full refund | No refunds / returns |
| This does not affect your statutory rights | No exchanges |
| Maternity wear | Exchange only |
Share your thoughts on shopping vocabulary
Have you seen any vocabulary related to shopping that confused you?
What are you thoughts on shopping in an English-speaking country?
What are the differences or similarities with your own shopping experiences in your own country?
Let us know your thoughts and experiences in the comments.
1. no
2. who have a very extensive but easy to understand vocabulary
3. is that if we know how to express ourselves well and the correct terms we can get them to understand us well.
1- yes, tights
2- I think it’s great only if the person can speak English, if not is bad because that person don’t understand the language.
3- My experience in my own purchase of clothes in my country are good because I learned a lot, I knew how to do it and I can go alone without getting lost.
1-at the moment, no.
2-They are very interesting and compulsive since everything catches your attention, everything has a different smell and is very funny.
3-the similarities is in the size and the others is very funny.
1. No
2. I think is good. If you can speak English you have better communication with the seller.
3. They haven’t been bad experiences but they could be better.
1- yes
2- I think it’s great only if the person can speak English
3- experience in my own purchase of clothes in my country is greatx