At the clothing shop
Au magasin de vêtements
- Describe everyday clothing.
- Ask for availability in a clothing shop.
- Ask for your size.
- Direct object pronouns
- Indirect object pronouns
Learn practical French for shopping at the clothing store. This lesson covers essential clothing vocabulary, direct and indirect object pronouns, and useful shopping phrases for beginners. Practice dialogues include asking for sizes, trying on clothes, and seeking advice, all designed to build your confidence in everyday shopping conversations.
Listening & reading materials
Practice vocabulary in context with real materials.
Vocabulary (17) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into two distinct categories: "Clothing" and "Actions in store".
Vêtements
Actions en magasin
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Porter
To wear
2
Le chapeau
The hat
3
Les gants
The gloves
4
Le manteau
The coat
5
Les lunettes
The glasses
Exercice 5: Conversation exercise
Instruction:
- Say who is wearing what. (Say who is wearing what. )
- What other clothing items do you know? (What other clothing items do you know?)
- Describe the clothes of the person next to you. (Describe the clothes of the person next to you.)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Il porte des gants. He is wearing gloves. |
|
Elle porte une ceinture. She is wearing a belt. |
|
Comme un autre vêtement, je connais "robe". As another clothing item I know "dress". |
|
Petra porte un pantalon et un pull. Petra is wearing trousers and a jumper. |
|
Elle porte des bottes. She is wearing boots. |
|
Ma mère porte des lunettes. My mother is wearing glasses. |
|
Que portez-vous aujourd'hui ? What are you wearing today? |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Je ______ une chemise pour demain.
(I ______ a shirt for tomorrow.)2. Tu ______ le jean bleu ou le noir ?
(You ______ the blue jeans or the black ones?)3. Nous ______ souvent les magasins au centre-ville.
(We ______ often go shopping downtown.)4. Ils ______ un manteau chaud pour l'hiver.
(They ______ a warm coat for winter.)Exercise 8: At the clothing store
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Aller - Aller
Présent
- Je vais
- Tu vas
- Il/Elle va
- Nous allons
- Vous allez
- Ils/Elles vont
Essayer - Essayer
Présent
- J'essaie
- Tu essaies
- Il/Elle essaie
- Nous essayons
- Vous essayez
- Ils/Elles essaient
Choisir - Choisir
Présent
- Je choisis
- Tu choisis
- Il/Elle choisit
- Nous choisissons
- Vous choisissez
- Ils/Elles choisissent
Porter - Porter
Présent
- Je porte
- Tu portes
- Il/Elle porte
- Nous portons
- Vous portez
- Ils/Elles portent
Demander - Demander
Présent
- Je demande
- Tu demandes
- Il/Elle demande
- Nous demandons
- Vous demandez
- Ils/Elles demandent
Répondre - Répondre
Présent
- Je réponds
- Tu réponds
- Il/Elle répond
- Nous répondons
- Vous répondez
- Ils/Elles répondent
Prendre - Prendre
Présent
- Je prends
- Tu prends
- Il/Elle prend
- Nous prenons
- Vous prenez
- Ils/Elles prennent
Exercise 9: Les pronoms compléments directs
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Direct object pronouns
Show translation Show answersles, nous, me, te, vous, le, la
Exercise 10: Les pronoms compléments indirects
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Indirect object pronouns
Show translation Show answerslui, te, leur, me
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Essayer to try Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') j'essaie/essaye | I try |
| (tu) essaies/essayes | you try |
| (il/elle/on) essaie/essaye | he/she/one tries |
| (nous) essayons | we try |
| (vous) essayez | You try |
| (ils/elles) essaient/essayent | they try |
Porter to wear Share Copied!
present
| French | English |
|---|---|
| (je/j') porte | I wear |
| (tu) portes | you wear |
| (il/elle/on) porte | he/she/one wears |
| (nous) portons | we wear |
| (vous) portez | you wear |
| (ils/elles) portent | They wear |
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Welcome to "At the Clothing Shop" – Learn French for Shopping!
This lesson introduces you to practical French used in clothing stores. You will learn how to ask for clothing sizes, try on clothes, and use direct and indirect pronouns to make your conversations natural and smooth.
Key Topics Covered
- Direct Object Pronouns: Replace direct objects like items of clothing in sentences, e.g., "Je la prends" (I take it).
- Indirect Object Pronouns: Used when referring to people involved, for example, "Tu lui montres la veste" (You show him/her the jacket).
- Clothing Vocabulary: Essential garments such as le pantalon (pants), la chemise (shirt), la jupe (skirt), le manteau (coat), and les chaussures (shoes).
- Shopping Actions: Common verbs like essayer (to try on), porter (to wear), and faire les magasins (to go shopping).
Sample Phrases for Real-Life Situations
- Est-ce que je peux essayer cette chemise ? (Can I try on this shirt?)
- Vous avez ce manteau en taille M ? (Do you have this coat in size M?)
- Je les prends, les chaussures sont très confortables. (I'll take them, the shoes are very comfortable.)
- Tu lui montres la veste, s'il te plaît ? (Can you show him/her the jacket, please?)
Dialogue Practice
Engage in dialogues where you ask about clothing availability and express preferences. Practice conversations like requesting specific sizes or advice for choosing an outfit.
Interesting Language Note
French uses pronouns differently than English. For example, English says "I try on the shirt," but French often replaces the object "the shirt" with a pronoun: "Je l'essaie." Also, French verbs conjugate depending on the subject—notice differences like je porte (I wear) and tu portes (you wear). Understanding direct and indirect pronouns can help avoid cumbersome repetitions and make your speech more fluent.
Useful Phrases with English Equivalents
- Est-ce que je peux essayer cette chemise ? – Can I try on this shirt?
- Je voudrais porter ce jean. – I would like to wear these jeans.
- Vous les avez ? – Do you have them?
- Tu lui montres la veste ? – Can you show him/her the jacket?
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