#251 Asking About Shoe Availability｜French Shopping Phrases

Even if you find a pair of shoes you like in a store, it does not always mean that your size is available.

In such cases, you need to ask the store staff whether they have your size in stock.

In this section, I will explain useful French expressions for asking about shoe availability, together with key grammatical points.

Dialogue

A

Je cherche cette paire de chaussures en taille 42. Est-ce que vous l’avez en stock ?
（I am looking for this pair of shoes in size 42. Do you have it in stock?）

B

Malheureusement, nous n’avons plus cette taille en magasin.
（Unfortunately, we no longer have that size available in the store.）

A

Ah, je vois. Est-ce qu’il existe une autre couleur ?
（I see. Do you have it in another color?

B

Oui, nous avons le même modèle en noir.
（Yes, we have the same model in black.）

A

Parfait, je vais l’essayer.
（Great, I will try it on.）

1. Speaking to the Store Staff

First, you should approach the store staff and explain what you are looking for.

The expression “je cherche …” uses the verb “chercher” (to look for) and is commonly used in shopping situations. Unlike English “look for …”, French does not require a preposition before the object.

The phrase “cette paire de chaussures” means “this pair of shoes.” The noun “paire” refers to a set or pair and is used for items that come in twos, such as shoes, gloves, or socks. In everyday usage, you will also often hear the simpler form “ces chaussures” (these shoes).

The word “cette” is a demonstrative adjective, and its form changes depending on the gender and number of the noun it modifies. In this case, it agrees with “paire,” which is feminine singular.

When indicating size, French uses the structure:

This expression is very useful when specifying clothing or shoe sizes.

2. Asking About Availability

In shoe stores, the items displayed are not always the last ones available, as additional stock may be kept in the back.

For this reason, once you find a product you like, you should confirm availability using expressions such as:

Here, “vous” refers not just to the staff member, but to the store as a whole. In French shopping situations, asking “vous avez … ?” effectively means “Does your store have … ?”

The form “l’avez” comes from “le / la,” which is shortened before a vowel. In this context, it refers back to the previously mentioned shoes.

The phrase “en stock” means “in stock” or “available in inventory.” The structure “avoir … en stock” means “to have something in stock.”

3. Asking About Alternatives

Even if your preferred item is not available, there may be other options in different colors or sizes.

The expression “il existe …” literally means “there exists …,” but in practice, it is used to ask whether something is available.

It is slightly more formal than “il y a …” (there is/are), which is more common in everyday conversation.

In this structure, “il ” is not a specific pronoun referring to a person or object; it functions as a dummy subject commonly used in expressions of existence.

The adjective “autre” means “other” or “another” and changes form depending on gender and number:

In this way, “autre” agrees with the noun it modifies.

Summary