German · Real conversations
Shopping and returns: German conversation practice
Explain a return and check the available options. Read the exchange, reveal the translations when you need them, then try your part before looking at the sample answers.
A2 · Read and rehearse
Your role: A customer taking clothing back to a shop.
Goal: Explain a return and check the available options.
Read the conversation
Partner
Guten Tag. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
Show English translation
Hello. How can I help you?
You
Ich möchte das zurückgeben.
Show English translation
I'd like to return this.
Partner
Haben Sie den Kassenbon?
Show English translation
Do you have the receipt?
You
Ja, hier ist er.
Show English translation
Yes, here it is.
Partner
Danke. Möchten Sie einen Umtausch oder eine Rückerstattung?
Show English translation
Thanks. Would you prefer an exchange or a refund?
You
Kann ich es gegen eine größere Größe umtauschen?
Show English translation
Can I exchange it for a larger size?
Partner
Natürlich. Was stimmt mit dieser Größe nicht?
Show English translation
Of course. What's wrong with this size?
You
Es passt mir nicht.
Show English translation
It doesn't fit.
Partner
Suchen wir eine passende Größe. Sie können es auch zu Hause anprobieren.
Show English translation
Let's find a better size. You can also take it home to try.
You
Wie lange habe ich Zeit, es zurückzugeben?
Show English translation
How long do I have to return it?
Try your part first
Partner says: Hello. How can I help you? Your goal: I'd like to return this.
Reveal a sample reply
Ich möchte das zurückgeben.
I'd like to return this.
Partner says: Do you have the receipt? Your goal: Yes, here it is.
Reveal a sample reply
Ja, hier ist er.
Yes, here it is.
Partner says: Thanks. Would you prefer an exchange or a refund? Your goal: Can I exchange it for a larger size?
Reveal a sample reply
Kann ich es gegen eine größere Größe umtauschen?
Can I exchange it for a larger size?
Partner says: Of course. What's wrong with this size? Your goal: It doesn't fit.
Reveal a sample reply
Es passt mir nicht.
It doesn't fit.
Partner says: Let's find a better size. You can also take it home to try. Your goal: How long do I have to return it?
Reveal a sample reply
Wie lange habe ich Zeit, es zurückzugeben?
How long do I have to return it?
Make it your own
- Exchange for a different size.
- Ask for a refund.
- Explain that the receipt is digital.
Keep the useful expression and change the detail. There can be several appropriate answers; the revealed replies are examples to learn from.
This rehearsal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
