#103 How to Ask About Tipping Methods｜French Everyday Phrases
Izumi French Garden
#119 Buying New Shoes｜French Shopping Phrases
Izumi
When purchasing a new pair of shoes, there are several aspects you may want to check, such as size, design, and comfort.
To communicate these points clearly in French, it is important to master essential expressions for each situation—stating your purpose, requesting to try on shoes, confirming sizes, and indicating your intention to purchase.
In this article, I explain practical French phrases you can use when buying shoes.
Contents
Dialogue
Bonjour, je cherche une paire de chaussures confortables pour marcher longtemps.
（Hello, I’m looking for a comfortable pair of shoes that I can wear for long walks.）
Bien sûr. Vous préférez un modèle sportif ou plutôt quelque chose de plus élégant ?
（Of course. Do you prefer a sporty style, or something a bit more elegant?）
Je voudrais essayer ce modèle-ci. Est-ce que vous l’avez en taille 42 ?
（I would like to try this model. Do you have it in size 42?）
Oui, un instant. Je vais vérifier en réserve.
（Yes, just a moment. I will check in the stockroom.）
Merci beaucoup.
（Thank you very much.）
Voilà, la taille 42. Si vous voulez, il y a aussi une version en noir.
（Here is size 42. If you like, we also have a black version.）
Je vais déjà essayer celle-ci. Est-ce que je peux marcher un peu avec ?
（I will try this pair first. May I walk around a little with them?）
Oui, allez-y.
（Yes, please go ahead.）
Elles sont vraiment confortables. Je vais prendre cette paire.
（They are very comfortable. I will take this pair.）
1. Explaining the Type of Shoes You Want
In a shoe store, it helps the staff if you first explain what type of shoes you are looking for.
- Je cherche une paire de chaussures confortables pour marcher longtemps.
（I’m looking for a comfortable pair of shoes for long walks.）
The phrase “une paire de chaussures” means “a pair of shoes,” and the adjective “confortables” means “comfortable.”
Adding “pour marcher longtemps” clarifies the purpose and helps the staff recommend suitable options.
Useful purpose-based vocabulary:
- pour le travail (for work)
- pour le sport (for sports)
- pour un voyage (for travel)
Since the type of shoes varies by purpose, giving this information in advance makes the selection process smoother.
2. Describing Preferred Designs or Styles
Next, let’s look at expressions used to describe preferred styles or impressions.
- Vous préférez un modèle sportif ou quelque chose de plus élégant ?
（Do you prefer a sporty style or something more elegant?）
Using “préférer” allows you to express preferences politely and naturally.
To express your own preference:
- Je préfère un modèle léger.
（I prefer a lightweight model.） - Je cherche quelque chose de plus classique.
（I’m looking for something more classic.）
These expressions are useful when communicating detailed preferences.
3. Requesting to Try On Shoes and Confirming Sizes
Trying on shoes and checking the size are essential steps in the purchasing process.
- Je voudrais essayer ce modèle-ci.
（I would like to try this model.）
The verb “essayer” (to try on) is a key shopping expression.
Then you can confirm the size:
- Est-ce que vous l’avez en taille 42 ?
（Do you have this in size 42?）
Simply change the number to ask for your preferred size.
Other useful phrases include:
- Vous avez une taille au-dessus ?
（Do you have one size larger?） - Vous avez une taille en dessous ?
（Do you have one size smaller?）
4. Checking Comfort and Fit
Since comfort can only be judged after trying the shoes, it is helpful to ask if you may walk around.
- Est-ce que je peux marcher un peu avec ?
（May I walk around a little with them?）
Useful phrases for describing comfort:
- Elles me serrent un peu.
（They are a little tight.） - Elles me vont très bien.
（They fit me very well.）
Comfort is subjective and sometimes difficult to describe, so these expressions are very useful.
Summary
- Je cherche une paire de chaussures…
→ Used to explain the purpose and requirements for the shoes you want. - Je voudrais essayer ce modèle-ci / Vous l’avez en taille ～ ?
→ Essential for trying on shoes and checking sizes. - Vous préférez… ? / Je préfère…
→ Helpful when expressing preferred designs or styles. - Est-ce que je peux marcher un peu avec ?
→ Useful when you want to walk around to check comfort.
