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Month: June 2008

Shopping at the deli to buy vegetables and fruits in French

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When you’re in a French-speaking country, shopping at the deli can be an enjoyable and culturally enriching experience. Whether you’re picking up some fresh produce, selecting meats and cheeses, or even fruits in French, knowing the right phrases and vocabulary will make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. 

In this post, we’ll cover essential phrases and vocabulary related to shopping at the deli, with a focus on fruits in French, vegetables in French, and general grocery shopping in French.

Delicacies, vegetables, and fruits in French – A list of essential vocabulary for grocery shopping in French

When you’re at the deli, you’ll likely be purchasing a variety of items, including fresh produce. Here’s a list of essential vocabulary to help you navigate your grocery shopping in French.

Fruits in French

  • une pomme an apple
  • une banane a banana 
  • une poire a pear
  • un orange an orange  
  • une fraise  a strawberry
  • une framboise a raspberry
  • un ananas a pineapple
  • une tomate a tomato  

Vegetables in French

  • un oignon an onion
  • une pomme de terre, une patate a potato
  • un poireau a leek 
  • une courgette a zucchini
  • des épinards spinach
  • des haricots beans
  • des petits pois green peas

Ordering vegetables and fruits in French

When you’re at the deli, you’ll need to know how to ask for the items you want. Here are some phrases to help you get started with grocery shopping in French:

  • Je voudrais des pommes. I would like some apples.
  • Donnez-moi des pommes, s’il vous plaît. Give me some apples, please.
  • Je voudrais quatre tranches de jambon. I would like four slices of ham.
  • Je voudrais 500g de fromage. I would like 500g of cheese.

Discussing quantities

If you need a refresher on numbers, make sure to check our lessons on numbers from 0 to 10 and from 11 and above. When grocery shopping in French, it’s important to know how to specify quantities. Here are some useful phrases:

  • un kilo de … a kilogram of …
  • C’est combien ? How much is it?
  • Ça coûte combien ? How much does it cost?

For example:

  • Je voudrais un kilo de pommes, s’il vous plaît. I would like a kilogram of apples, please.
  • Ça coûte combien pour les pommes ? How much does it cost for the apples?

Would you like to hear these phrases pronounced and used in context? Listen to Episode 26 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful expressions.

Tasting and selecting

Often, when shopping at a deli, you might want to taste something before buying it. Here’s how to ask:

  • Je peux goûter ? Can I taste/try it?
  • Je voudrais goûter ce fromage, s’il vous plaît. I would like to taste this cheese, please.

If you like what you’ve tasted, you can say:

  • J’aime bien ! Donnez-moi 400g de ça. I like it! Give me 400g of that.

Finalising your purchase

After selecting your items, you’ll need to wrap up your purchase. Here are a few more phrases to complete your grocery shopping in French:

  • Ça sera tout ? Will that be all?
  • Oui, c’est tout. Yes, that’s all.
  • Ça fait ving-deux euros quarante-cinq. It’s 20,45€
  • Je paie en espèces. I’m paying by cash.
  • Je paie avec une carte de crédit. I’m paying with a credit card.

Knowing how to shop at the deli in French is a valuable skill, especially if you want to immerse yourself in the local culture. By mastering the fruits in French, vegetables in French, and other essential grocery shopping in French phrases, you’ll be able to confidently navigate your way through any market or deli. 

Whether you’re buying a few slices of ham or a kilogram of apples, these phrases will ensure you get exactly what you want. Bon appétit !

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn how to talk about money and prices? Then, check the article we prepared to help you exchange money in French.

Get the whole German series now

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Dvdboxfog01If you can’t wait to download the fortnightly shows of A Flavour of German, you can purchase all ten shows in season one now. The Season Pass includes the pdf guide with additional examples of the phrases covered, and all ten lessons in m4a enhanced audio format. This format is playable on iPod, iTunes and QuickTime and allows you to view the words and phrases on the screen of your computer or iPod as you listen to the audio.

Please note that the enhanced audio files contain exactly the same content as the free programmes. The bonus features of the Season Pass are:
• immediate delivery of all lessons
• enhanced versions of each episode featuring words and phrases on screen
• pdf lesson guide with additional examples

Purchase options
A Flavour of German Season 1 is priced at £12.00 GBP. You can purchase the Season Pass for A Flavour of German via our store.



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Shopping in French: essential phrases and vocabulary “pour faire du shopping”

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When you’re in a French-speaking country, knowing how to faire du shopping go shopping, is a useful skill that can greatly enhance your experience. Whether you’re browsing through local markets or shopping in chic boutiques, understanding the essential shopping vocabulary in French will help you navigate the retail landscape with ease. 

In this blog post, we’ll cover the key phrases and terms you need to know to faire du shopping like a pro.

Getting started ‘pour faire du shopping’ in French

To begin with, let’s familiarise ourselves with some of the basic shopping vocabulary in French:

  • faire du shopping to go shopping. – This is the general term you’ll use when talking about shopping.
  • faire du lèche-vitrine to go window shopping – Literally translated as to do some window-licking, this phrase is used when you’re just browsing without the intention to buy.

When you first enter a store, you might be greeted by the salesperson with:

  • Je peux vous aider ? Can I help you?
  • Puis-je vous aider ? Can I help you? – A more formal way to ask.

If you’re just looking around, you can respond with:

  • Je regarde. I’m just looking.

Asking where to buy things

If you’re looking for something specific, it’s useful to know how to ask where you can find it. Here are some phrases to help you:

  • Où est-ce que je peux acheter des vêtements ? Where can I buy clothes?
  • Où est-ce que je peux acheter des souvenirs ? Where can I buy souvenirs?

Knowing how to ask these questions will make it easier to find exactly what you’re looking for in order to ‘faire du shopping’.

Would you like to hear this vocabulary pronounced? Listen to episode 25 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful phrases to help you faire du shopping en français.

Trying on clothes

When you find something you like, you’ll want to try it on. Here are some essential phrases related to trying on clothes:

  • Est-ce que je peux l’essayer ? Can I try it on?
  • C’est trop grand. It’s too big.
  • C’est trop petit. It’s too small.
  • Vouc avez ce t-shirt en 40 ? Do you have this t-shirt in size 40?

If you like what you’ve tried on and decide to buy it, you can say:

  • Je le prends. I’ll take it.

Discussing prices and payment

Understanding how to discuss prices and payment is a crucial part of getting the hang of ‘faire du chocolat’. Here’s how you can ask about prices:

  • Ça coûte combien ? How much is it?
  • Ça coûte 30 euros. It costs 30 euros.

When it’s time to pay, you might ask:

  • Est-ce que je peux payer avec une carte de crédit ? Can I pay with a credit card?
  • Je paie en espèces. I’m paying by cash.

The cashier might then ask:

  • Voulez-vous un sac ? Do you want a bag?
  • Est-ce que je peux avoir un sac, s’il vous plaît ? Can I have a bag, please?

And don’t forget to ask for your receipt:

  • le ticket / le reçu receipt

Practical example: faire du shopping dans une boutique

Imagine you’re in a French boutique and you’re interested in buying a shirt. The conversation might go something like this:

  • Salesperson: Je peux vous aider ?  
  • You: Je regarde, merci.  

(Later)  

  • You: Est-ce que je peux l’essayer ?  
  • Salesperson: Bien sûr, les cabines sont là-bas.  

(After trying it on)  

  • You: C’est trop petit. Avez-vous une taille plus grande ?  
  • Salesperson: Oui, voici.  
  • You: Parfait. Je le prends. Ça coûte combien ?  
  • Salesperson: Ça coûte 50 euros.  
  • You: Est-ce que je peux payer avec une carte de crédit ?  
  • Salesperson: Oui, bien sûr. Voulez-vous un sac ?  
  • You: Oui, s’il vous plaît.

Knowing how to faire du shopping in a French-speaking country can make your experience much more enjoyable and stress-free. With the right shopping vocabulary in French, you’ll be able to confidently browse, try on, and purchase items with ease.

Whether you’re window shopping or on a full-blown shopping spree, these phrases will help you navigate the stores and markets like a local. Bon shopping !

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn how to shop at the deli? Then check the article we prepared to help you buy food in French.

What is ‘camping’ in French? A guide to the vocabulary you need

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When you’re planning a camping trip in a French-speaking country, it’s important to be familiar with the specific vocabulary you’ll need. Understanding what is ‘camping’ in French can greatly enhance your experience and ensure that you are prepared for all aspects of your adventure. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore key phrases and words related to this type of accommodation in French, helping you to navigate your stay with confidence.

What is ‘camping’ in French? – Understanding the basics

To start, let’s learn some basic terms that define what is ‘camping’ in French:

  • Le camping campsite – This is the general term for a campsite or the activity of camping.
  • Faire du camping to go camping – This phrase is used when you’re planning to camp.
  • On fait du camping we’re going camping – A simple way to say that you’re going camping.

Finding a campsite

Once you arrive at your destination, you might need to find a place to set up your tent or park your caravan. Here are some phrases to help you locate a campsite:

  • (Est-ce qu’) il y a un camping près d’ici ? Is there a campsite near here? – Use this question to ask if there is a campsite nearby.
  • Y a-t-il un camping près d’ici ? Is there a campsite near here? – Another way to ask the same question.

If you want to ask if you can camp in a certain spot, you can say:

  • Est-ce qu’on peut camper ici ? Can one camp here? – This is a polite way to inquire if camping is allowed in a specific area.

Essential facilities at the campsite

Understanding what is ‘camping’ in French also involves knowing the facilities you might need during your stay:

  • une tente a tent – Essential for any camping trip unless you’re using a caravan.
  • une caravane a caravan – If you’re travelling in a caravan, this is the word you’ll need.
  • Où sont les toilettes ? Where are the toilets? – A crucial question when you arrive at a new campsite.
  • Où sont les douches ? Where are the showers? – You’ll want to know where you can freshen up.
  • le bloc sanitaire the toilet block – This refers to the area where the toilets and showers are located.

If you need to buy or rent equipment, here are some useful phrases:

  • Est-ce qu’on peut louer des serviettes ? Can one hire towels here? – In case you didn’t bring enough.
  • Où est-ce qu’on peut acheter du café ? Where can one buy coffee? – For those who can’t start the day without a cup of coffee.
  • Où est-ce qu’on peut acheter des œufs ? Where can one buy eggs? – Perfect for a hearty breakfast.

Would you like to hear these phrases pronounced and used in context? Listen to episode 24 of Season 1 of the Coffee Break French podcast for more insights and useful expressions so that you can answer when someone asks you what ‘camping’ is in French.

Navigating the campsite

Once you’re settled, you might want to explore the campsite. Here’s how to ask for directions or locate important areas:

  • Où est la piscine ? Where is the swimming pool? – If your campsite has a pool, this is how you find it.
  • Où est le magasin ? Where is the shop? – Useful for picking up supplies.
  • Où sont les poubelles ? Where are the bins? – Essential for maintaining cleanliness at your campsite.

Practical questions and requests at the campsite

Finally, knowing what is ‘camping’ in French also includes being able to make requests or ask practical questions:

  • Est-ce qu’on peut boire l’eau ici ? Can one drink the water here? – Important for staying hydrated safely.
  • Avez-vous un emplacement ? Do you have a site available? – Use this to ask if there’s a spot where you can pitch your tent or park your caravan.

Understanding what is ‘camping‘ in French involves more than just knowing how to say ’camping’ in the language. It’s about familiarising yourself with the specific vocabulary that will help you navigate the campsite, communicate with staff, and ensure that your trip goes smoothly. 

Whether you’re setting up a tent, finding the shower block, or buying eggs for breakfast, these phrases will equip you with the knowledge you need to enjoy your experience in this type of accommodation in French. Bon camping !

Do you want to keep improving your French skills and learn how to talk about clothes in French? Then check the article we have prepared to help you with your French shopping.

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