#163 Requesting Laundry Service at a Hotel｜French Daily Life Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#152 Requesting a Different Size｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi
When shopping for clothes or shoes, you may find that you like the design but the size does not fit properly.
When asking for a different size in French, it is important to check availability and clearly communicate the size you are looking for.
In this article, I explain practical French expressions for asking store staff to find an item in a different size, using realistic conversation examples.
Contents
Dialogue
J’aime beaucoup ce modèle, mais il est un peu trop petit pour moi.
（I really like this design, but it is a little too small for me.）
D’accord. Quelle taille cherchez-vous exactement ?
（I see. What size are you looking for exactly?）
Je fais normalement du 40. Auriez-vous cette taille ?
（I usually wear a size 40. Do you have this size?）
Je vais vérifier en réserve. Un instant, s’il vous plaît.
（I will check in the stockroom. One moment, please.）
Merci beaucoup.
（Thank you very much.）
Nous l’avons en 40, mais seulement en noir. Est-ce que cela vous conviendrait ?
（We do have it in size 40, but only in black. Would that be acceptable?）
Oui, le noir me va très bien. Pourrais-je l’essayer ?
（Yes, black is perfectly fine. May I try it on?）
Bien sûr. La cabine d’essayage est juste là.
（Of course. The fitting room is just over there.）
1. Explaining That the Size Does Not Fit
When telling a store assistant that the size does not fit, it is polite to begin with a positive comment to soften the message.
Example
- J’aime beaucoup ce modèle, mais il est un peu trop petit pour moi.
（I really like this design, but it is a little too small for me.）
By starting with “j’aime beaucoup” (I really like it), you show appreciation for the product itself, which creates a polite and considerate impression.
Related Expressions
- trop petit：too small
- trop grand：too large
- un peu serré：a little tight
- un peu large：a little loose
Adding “un peu” (a little) makes the expression sound softer and more natural.
2. Stating Your Usual Size
To ask for a different size, you should clearly state the size you normally wear.
Example
- Je fais normalement du 40.
（I usually wear a size 40.）
The expression “Je fais du …” is commonly used to indicate clothing or shoe sizes. Simply follow it with the number you need.
Example
- Auriez-vous cette taille ?
（Do you have this size?）
Using “Auriez-vous … ?” (Would you have … ?) makes the question polite and formal.
3. Responding to Conditional Offers
Even if the desired size is available, there may be limitations regarding color or design.
Example
- Nous l’avons en 40, mais seulement en noir.
（We have it in size 40, but only in black.）
Placing “mais” (but) after the size allows the staff member to naturally introduce a condition.
Responses
- Le noir me va très bien.
（Black works perfectly for me.） - Je préférais une autre couleur, si possible.
（I would have preferred another color, if possible.）
The phrase “me va bien” means “suits me” or “works for me” and can be used for size, color, or style.
4. Asking to Try the Item On
Once the correct size is found, you may want to ask whether you can try it on.
Example
- Pourrais-je l’essayer ?
（May I try it on?） - La cabine d’essayage est juste là.
（The fitting room is right over there.）
The verb “essayer” means “to try” or “to try on” and is commonly used for clothes, shoes, and jackets.
The expression “juste là” means “right there” or “just over there,” emphasizing that the location is very close.
Related Expressions
- là-bas：over there (a bit farther away)
- ici：here
- juste ici：right here
- juste à côté：right next to it
Summary
Key French Phrases
- J’aime beaucoup ce modèle, mais il est trop petit / trop grand.
→ Politely explaining that the size does not fit while showing a positive attitude. - Je fais normalement du ～.
→ Stating your usual size. - Auriez-vous cette taille ?
→ Asking whether a different size is available. - Nous l’avons en ～, mais seulement en …
→ A common structure for making conditional offers. - Pourrais-je l’essayer ?
→ Politely asking to try the item on.
