French · Real conversations

Markets and groceries: useful French phrases

Buy a quantity and ask about a product.

Start with the essentials

Start with the essential words and expressions below. Next, learn the five specific phrases in the reference table. Finally, read both sides of the exchange and try the linked rehearsal before revealing its sample replies. This collection connects to the broader vocabulary topic.

Apple
la pomme
Apple
Bread
le pain
Bread
Potato
la pomme de terre
Potato
How much does it cost?
Combien ça coûte ?
How much does it cost?

Make the conversation more specific

Useful French expressions for markets and groceries
What you want to say	French
Apple	la pomme Apple
Bread	le pain Bread
Potato	la pomme de terre Potato
How much does it cost?	Combien ça coûte ? How much does it cost?
Half a kilo of ..., please.	Un demi-kilo de …, s'il vous plaît. Show English translation Half a kilo of …, please.
Is this ripe?	C'est mûr ? Show English translation Is this ripe?
When was this made?	Ça a été fait quand ? Show English translation When was this made?
Do you have anything locally grown?	Vous avez des produits cultivés dans la région ? Show English translation Do you have anything locally grown?
Could you put these in separate bags?	Pourriez-vous les mettre dans des sacs séparés ? Show English translation Could you put these in separate bags?

Read the other side of the exchange

Partner
Bonjour. Qu'est-ce que vous souhaitez ?
Good morning. What would you like?
You
Un demi-kilo de tomates, s'il vous plaît.
Half a kilo of tomatoes, please.
Partner
Voilà. Ce melon plaît beaucoup aujourd'hui.
Here you are. This melon is popular today.
You
C'est mûr ?
Is this ripe?

Markets and groceries in other languages

A note on speaking French

Use vous with strangers, staff, and people you address formally; use tu when that relationship is established. Je voudrais and pourriez-vous can make a request considerate. The most appropriate choice depends on the person and the situation.

Keep accents and apostrophes. A familiar spoken expression may differ from its literal English translation. Read the complete line, including the pronoun and the words that connect the request.