French · Real conversations
How to say “I'd like to return this.” in French
Tell a shop that you want to return an item.
Je voudrais retourner cet article.
I'd like to return this.
Have the item and the relevant purchase information ready.
Use it in three situations
At a returns counter
Je voudrais retourner cet article.
I'd like to return this.
A clothing purchase
Je voudrais retourner cette chemise.
I'd like to return this shirt.
A faulty item
Je voudrais le retourner parce qu'il est abîmé.
I'd like to return this because it's damaged.
What to watch for
Returning an item and exchanging it are different requests.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine shopping and returns. Say this in French: I'd like to return this shirt.
Reveal a sample reply
Je voudrais retourner cette chemise.
I'd like to return this shirt.
Build a useful exchange
Explain a return and check the available options.
This expression 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.
