#11 Expressions for Talking About Recent News｜French Conversation Patterns
Izumi French Garden
#108 Choosing Furniture｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi
When shopping in a furniture or interior store, you often need to confirm details such as size, materials, stock availability, and delivery services before making a purchase.
In French, it is useful to know polite expressions for asking questions and vocabulary for checking product details when choosing furniture.
In this lesson, I will introduce practical French phrases for selecting furniture, together with example dialogues.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, je cherche un canapé pour mon salon. Pourriez-vous m’aider ?
（Hello. I’m looking for a sofa for my living room. Could you help me?）
Bien sûr. Vous préférez un modèle en tissu ou en cuir ?
（Of course. Do you prefer a fabric model or a leather one?）
Je pense qu’un canapé en tissu me conviendrait mieux. Est-ce que ce modèle existe en couleur beige ?
（I think a fabric sofa would suit me better. Does this model come in beige?）
Oui, il est disponible en beige et en gris clair.
（Yes, it is available in beige and light gray.）
Pourriez-vous me dire quelles sont les dimensions ?
（Could you tell me the dimensions?）
Il mesure deux mètres de large et quatre-vingts centimètres de profondeur.
（It is two meters wide and eighty centimeters deep.）
D’accord. Et est-ce que la livraison est incluse ?
（I see. And is delivery included?）
La livraison est possible, mais elle n’est pas incluse dans le prix.
（Delivery is available, but it is not included in the price.）
Je comprends. Je vais réfléchir un peu. Merci pour vos explications.
（Understood. I’ll think about it. Thank you for the information.）
1. Stating What You Are Looking For
The first step is to clearly say what you are looking for.
- Je cherche un canapé pour mon salon.
(I’m looking for a sofa for my living room.)
“Je cherche ～” is one of the most essential expressions for shopping. It can be applied to appliances, clothing, household goods, and more.
Adding a purpose, such as “pour mon salon,” gives the staff a clear idea of what you need.
To make the request more polite:
- Pourriez-vous m’aider ?
(Could you help me?)
2. Expressing Your Preferred Material or Style
Material choice influences durability, price, and overall atmosphere, so it is important to ask about it.
- Vous préférez un modèle en tissu ou en cuir ?
(Do you prefer a fabric model or a leather one?)
Useful material vocabulary:
- tissu → fabric
- cuir → leather
- bois → wood
- métal → metal
- verre → glass
To express your preference:
- Je préfère un modèle en tissu.
(I prefer a fabric model.)
A softer, more nuanced expression:
- Je pense qu’un modèle en tissu me conviendrait mieux.
(I think a fabric model would suit me better.)
“convenir à” means “to suit” or “to be suitable for.”
3. Checking Colors and Variations
Colors strongly affect the atmosphere of a room, so confirming available color options is important.
- Est-ce que ce modèle existe en couleur beige ?
(Does this model come in beige?)
The phrase “exister en ～” is useful for checking available variations. It applies to furniture, clothing, electronics, and more.
Common color vocabulary:
- beige → beige
- gris clair → light gray
- noir → black
- blanc → white
- bois clair / bois foncé → light wood / dark wood
Staff may respond as follows:
- Il est disponible en beige et en gris clair.
(It is available in beige and light gray.)
disponible means “available” or “in stock.”
4. Confirming the Size (Dimensions)
Size is a crucial factor when purchasing furniture. Check in advance whether the furniture fits your intended space.
- Pourriez-vous me dire quelles sont les dimensions ?
(Could you tell me the dimensions?)
Useful vocabulary for dimensions:
- largeur → width
- profondeur → depth
- hauteur → height
- longueur → length
Staff may respond with:
- Il mesure deux mètres de large.
(It is two meters wide.)
The structure “Il mesure + number + unit” is used to describe measurements.
5. Asking About Delivery Services
For large furniture, it is important to check whether delivery and assembly are included.
- Est-ce que la livraison est incluse ?
(Is delivery included?)
If not included, continue with:
- Combien coûte la livraison ?
(How much is the delivery fee?) - Est-ce que vous proposez un service de montage ?
(Do you offer an assembly service?)
Many furniture stores charge separately for delivery and assembly, so it is advisable to confirm both.
Summary
- Je cherche ～ / Pourriez-vous m’aider ?
→ To state what you are looking for and politely request assistance. - Vous préférez en tissu / en cuir ?
→ Useful expressions when discussing material preferences. - Ce modèle existe en ～ ?
→ To ask about available colors or variations. - Quelles sont les dimensions ?
→ Essential phrase for checking width, depth, and height. - La livraison est incluse ? / Combien coûte la livraison ?
→ To confirm whether delivery services are included or require additional payment.
