Shopping

Here are some useful phrases you can learn for when you go clothes shopping.

Where you can buy clothes

There are different types of clothes shops. Here are some common ones:

shopping centre = large building with lots of different shops inside (= shopping mall in American English)

boutique = small shop, often expensive, with designer label clothes

charity shop (goodwill in American English) = shop where you can buy second-hand ( = not new) clothes. The money you pay for them goes to charity

factory outlet = shop where you can buy clothes directly from the factory that makes them. Often these clothes (or shoes) are "samples".

department store = large shop with "departments" for men's clothes, women's clothes, household objects, etc.

chain store = a "brand" that has shops in many different towns, such as "Zara" or "H&M".

Useful phrases a shop assistant says

"Can I help you?"
"Are you looking for anything in particular?"
"Do you need any help at all?"
"We don't have any of these left in stock." ( = There is no more of something.)

Useful phrases a customer says

"I'm looking for …"
"I'd like to buy…"

Indicating a piece of clothing

"Do you have this in …"
- medium / large / small / extra large / XL
- blue / black / beige (other colours etc)

Talking about the price

Clothes shops have "sales" when some or all the clothes are discounted.

"Is this in the sales?"
"Is this on sale?"

"There's a discount of 20% on this."
"These jeans are discounted by 20%."

"It's a bargain." (= the low price is a surprise)
"It's cheap." (= doesn't cost much money)
"It's expensive." (= costs a lot of money.)

Trying something on

When you go clothes shopping, you probably want to try something on before you buy it so you know it's the right size or that it looks good on you!

"I'd like to try this on please. Where are the changing rooms?"
"Can I try this on?"

Example conversation

Can I try this on?
Sure. The changing rooms are over there…

… (later)

Any good?
No, not really. (It's the wrong size / It doesn't really suit me.)
Or, "Yes, I'll take it."

Paying

"Where I can pay?"
"The cash tills are over there."

Other useful vocabulary

to suit = to be in your style, or to compliment your body shape or skin / hair colour
"That dress really suits you!"

to fit = to be the right size
"These jeans don't fit very well."

Clothes can be…
… too big (size "Large" when you are size "Small")
… too small (small size when you are large size)
… too tight (waist measurement 34 when you are waist 38)
… too loose (waist measurement 38 when you are waist 34)
… too long (jeans leg measurement 34 when your leg measurement is 32)
… too short (jeans leg measurement 32 when your leg measurement is 34)

to go well with / to match = to look good with your other clothes
"This jumper goes well with my trousers."
"This colour jumper matches your new trousers."

Types of shops in English

department store – a shop that sells many different items in different departments. Harrods is probably the world's best known department store.

supermarket – a large shop that sells mostly food and household items.

grocer (UK) / grocery store (US) – a shop that sells food.

greengrocer – sells fresh fruit and vegetables.

butcher - sells fresh meat.

baker – sells fresh bread and cakes.

fishmonger – sells fresh fish.

chemist (UK) / drugstore (US) – sells medicines and toiletries.

pharmacy (US) – sells medicines.

newsagent - sells newspapers and magazines.

stationer – sells paper goods.

optician – sells glasses / contact lenses.

DIY store – sells things for home improvement.

hardware shop / hardware store / ironmonger – hard goods, such as nails and screws.

corner shop (UK) – a shop on the corner of your street, selling a range of basic goods – food, newspapers, sweets, bread, etc.

delicatessen (deli) – sells specialist food not normally found in supermarkets. For example, an Italian deli, an Asian deli.

bookshop / bookstore – books.

market – market traders (people who work on a market) have stalls that sell fruit and vegetables, clothes, household items and so on.

petshop - for pets and pet food.

flea market – a group of stalls selling old furniture or clothes.

tea shop (UK) – like a cafe, but sells tea and cakes.

petrol station (UK) / gas station (US) sells petrol, car products and sometimes food.

Using 's

When we talk about shops, we often put an 's on the end. For example, "I'm going to the chemist's / greengrocer's / butcher's / baker's / newsagent's / fishmonger's / optician's."

We don't use an 's with these shops: supermarket, hardware store, petrol station, department store.

Sales vocabulary

December 26 (or Boxing Day) is traditionally the start of the winter sales in the UK, when items are heavily discounted. In fact, bargain hunters can find some items reduced up to 50% off their pre-sale price.

An unbeatable offer / prices slashed (= cut) or give-away prices mean very low prices.

Clearance Sale / Everything must go! = signs in shop windows advertising the sales

snap up a bargain = to buy something cheaply

Asking for things

"Do you have any…?"
"I'm looking for…"
"I wonder if you could help me…?"

What the shopkeeper says

"I'm sorry, we're out of stock."
"I'm sorry, that's the last one."
"I'm sorry, that's all we have left."

What a sales person says

"Can I help you?"
"Are you looking for anything in particular?"

Your reply

"I'm just looking, thank you."
"I'm just browsing, thank you."

Asking about things

"Do you have this in another size?"
"Do you have this in another colour?"
"Is this made of leather / silk / plastic…?"
"Does this come with a guarantee?"
"Is this fully refundable?"
"Can I bring this back if it's not the right size?"
"Can I bring this back if it doesn't fit?"

Paying – what the shopkeeper says

"Do you have anything smaller?" (If you pay with a large denomination note.)

Paying – what you say

"I'm sorry, I don't have any small change."
"I don't have anything smaller."
"Would you have change for this?"
"Can I have the receipt, please?'
"Can I pay by credit card?"
"Can I pay in cash?"
"Is this on sale?"

At a restaurant

4 Styles of Service in the Restaurant Business

Fast Food
Fast Casual
Casual Dining

A fast-food or quick-service restaurant provides the quickest service and food at the cheapest prices. The décor in most fast-food restaurants is simple. Fast-food restaurants are often franchises of a brand with many locations. The largest-fast food chains operate globally. Some individuals choose to open small, local, non-chain fast food restaurants. Fast-food restaurants often include a place to dine, while some may possess only drive-through or walk-up windows for customers to order and pick up food. Fast-food restaurants often serve hamburgers, chicken, sub sandwiches, Mexican fare or ice cream.

Fast-casual restaurants are similar to fast-food restaurants, but customers often perceive the food as healthier or of higher quality. The perception of healthier or higher-quality food allows owners of fast-casual restaurants to charge higher prices than fast-food restaurants. Customers usually order their food at the counter and sit down at a table to enjoy their meal. Of course, fast-casual restaurants give customers the option to order food to go. Many fast-casual restaurants serve a specialized type of food, such as Mexican, Chinese or fresh-baked fare. While a fast-food restaurant may serve fried chicken meals, a fast-casual place may serve roasted chicken, vegetables and baked bread.

Fine Dining

Fine-dining restaurants usually come with the most elaborate menus and expensive prices. Owners of fine-dining restaurants want to present an atmosphere of elegance and grace. Many require customers to make reservations to dine. Some restaurants enforce a certain dress code, while others do not. Fine-dining restaurants employ chefs who attended culinary schools and possess many years of experience. Most customers do not mind paying the expensive prices because of the perceived value they receive from eating at fine-dining restaurants. Some restaurants offer five-course meals and an expensive and expansive wine list.

Casual-dining restaurants offer food similar to fast-casual establishments but with a table-service dining atmosphere. Most casual-dining restaurants provide a family-friendly environment. The menus at casual dining restaurants are usually more extensive than at fast-casual places. Casual-dining restaurants employ waiters who take customers’ orders and serve the food. The prices of casual-dining restaurants are lower than at fine-dining restaurants, but a little more expensive than at fast-casual places. These restaurants may serve a variety of pastas, chicken dishes and simple seafood dishes. Some have highly specialized menus, but others serve a broad range of cuisine.

Vocabulary you may use

1) The waiter

What can I do for you?

Can I help you?

Can I take your coat?

Have you booked a table?

How many are you?

Would you follow me, please?

Can I take your order, sir/madam?

What would you like to start with?

What would you like to drink?

What would you like for dessert?

How would you like your steak? (rare, medium, well done)

Do you want a salad with it?

What kind of dressing?

Anything to drink?

Do you want a dessert?

The burgers are very good.

Sorry, the hamburgers are off.

Is everything all right?

Did you enjoy your meal?

Are you paying together?

May I show you to a table?

If you wait, there'll be a table for you free in a minute.

Do you want vegetables with it?

Why don't you try the pizza?

It'll take about 20 minutes.

2) The guest

A table for two, please.

May we sit at this table?

The menu, please.

What's on the menu?

Do you want fish?

What's Irish Stew like?

We're not ready yet.

The steak for me, please.

Can you bring me the ketchup, please?

A salad, please.

I'll have the same.

That's all, thank you.

Can I have the bill (AE: check), please?

This is on me.

Here you are.

The rest is for you.

Have you got wine by the glass?

I'd prefer red wine.

Please bring us another beer.

Could I have chips (AE: French Fries) instead of salad?

What can you recommend?

Please bring me the bill (AE: check) with my coffee.

I think you've made a mistake.