Beginner Level Conversations- Series 2- Lesson 5
Shopping can be an exciting adventure, but having the right vocabulary can make it even better. Whether you’re exploring a bustling department store or a quiet local shop, knowing the terms and phrases used in shopping contexts will help you navigate your way to finding the perfect items. This lesson covers essential shopping vocabulary, types of shops, and useful phrases to enhance your shopping experience.
Previous Conversation Lesson
Conversation Questions about Breakfast
Vocabulary for Doing Shopping
Types of shops in English
- Department store – a shop that sells many different items in different departments. Macy’s is probably the best known department store in the USA.
- 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.
Shopping vocabulary – “In the Sales”
Here’s some useful shopping vocabulary for finding a bargain in the sales.
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.
How to ask for things in shops
- 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 salesperson 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.
How to Ask about things in shops
- Do you have this in another size?
- Do you have this in another color?
- 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?
How to Pay – what the shopkeeper says
- Do you have anything smaller? (If you pay with a large denomination note.)
How to Pay – 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?
Conclusion
And there you have it! Hopefully, you’re now equipped with the words and phrases to shop with confidence. Happy shopping!
Next Conversation Lesson
Conversation Questions for Phone Conversation
Related Conversation Lessons
None
Practice Conversation with HiCafe App
By using HiCafe App, you can join free discussion events and Practice English Conversation online or in-person and improve your verbal skills.
All Conversation Lessons
To see and read all of our conversation lessons, you can visit our Improve English Speaking Skills page.